Chess Software

Regarding the today super-developed Chess Softwares, I would like to learn your comments on two points:

1. Playing against a good Chess program in fact helps one improving his chess play?

2. Which market available Chess program is the best for learning purposes?

 

I appreciate and thank you for your comments.

Most of these previous threads should help:

https://www.chess.com/forum/search?keyword=best+software

I use HIARCS because it's reputed to have humanlike play and the DB is easy to search.  Any modern program can help though.  Have fun doing your research!

Here's what I use:

Database: SCID. It's not as good as ChessBase, but it is free and it is very useful. I download files from PGN Mentor and The Week in Chess and it gives me plenty

Analysis: Stockfish. It's open source and it's as strong as you'll need, period. You can also download older versions of Komodo for free and Glaurung(sp) is an excellent engine to have as an extra.

Playing: Crafty is a pretty good sparring partner. Download the CraftyChess interface, which comes with the engine, and you can adjust the strength easily. Although it's free, there's no reason to not enjoy sparring with this program. It'll easily trounce the majority of players at 100% strength. You can also set the time control within the interface for bullet, blitz or standard.

Chess Genius. Great playing style and not as strong as Stockfish and other top engines. Available on ios and android, I put the phone next to my board and play. Think it plays around 2400 at full strength. With many intermediate levels so you stand a chance.