And we can now disregard. I just installed Scid vs. Pc and within 5 seconds had figured out how to set-up a position. It looks super flexible and will most likely meet all my needs.
Software / Program to Study Chess
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Scid vs. PC is probably the easiest powerful program to get into. Lucas Chess does some nice things, too, and is worth getting to know. To do what you wanted to do, just go to Tools -> Create your own game. If you want to try variations out in a game you entered or are entering, you have to pop up a separate board for that (his the blue + sign in the "Variants" frame on the far right--if you don't see that, right click on the move list to open it).
It's a little clunky, but it works. I agree Scid vs. PC is easier for that task, but, again, Lucas Chess does some nice things and is worth getting to know.
I'm looking for a chess computer program to help study chess. As I read some chess books I bought at the second hand store I'd like to be able to set up some of the positions and work through them, maybe make some notes on them.
I'd also like to be able to download pgn's of my games to analyze later, annotate, etc.
I've already got a copy of chessmaster and it's great for learning to play, drills, etc. But the interface is just awful. Just a bunch of floating windows, non-dockable, non-scalable. Also, difficult to setup a custom position.
I've installed Arena, and it seemed complicated to me. I also installed Lucas Chess and managed to get stockfish 5 doing kibitzing, but again, couldn't figure out how to setup a blank board and just start making the moves indicated in the book.
I'm ok with paying money - if I have to in order to get what I want, but I'm hoping there is a free option.
Thanks!