Chessmaster?

I'm have a crappy 967 rating (that's because I'm a crappy player) in 30 minute games.

A friend advised me to get a chessmaster program for my PC so that I could practice up against chessmaster's beginner computer without losing rating points. 

I have windows 7. I looked up chessmaster and can't figure out which chessmaster version to get that will work well with my PC. Any suggestions? 

Well, I'm not sure just where to begin...

First, you really shouldn't worry about an online rating (or any rating, for that matter). Concentrate on learning, and the rating will follow. There's really no need to use a computer as a crutch for game playing, unless you want to play games when you don't have internet access. Plus, you'll probably learn faster by playing people instead of a computer.

Second, if you really do want to get a chess program for a sparring partner, you might want to try out a free alternative like Lucas Chess. (I don't use it, but many here do use it.)

http://www-lucaschess.rhcloud.com/index.html

The problem with Chessmaster is that you can't buy it through the retail channels any more. You'd have to get it via the used market. The one nice thing about Chessmaster is that the tutorials are pretty good.

If you can't be deterred from getting Chessmaster, I'd recommend getting Chessmaster 10th Edition. It's a lot cheaper than Chessmaster 11 (also called Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition), and it runs just fine on Windows 7.

I don't think you really want Chessmaster.  The tutorials are good, but you already have access to ChessMentor which is better . The Chessmaster engine is getting pretty old now so the computer opponents are pretty lame and don't play at all like a human.  All engines have trouble dumbing themselves down to a lower level but the Chessmaster is notorious for playing like a GM except when it's giving away pieces.  More modern engines are considerably better at playing mediocre chess without just giving away pieces.

Humans are the best opponents, but if you want to practice against a computer, there are three relatively cheap programs I'd recommend over ChessMaster(and yes I have all 4 programs  )  HIARCS is considered to have pretty human play and includes a database that even I can use.  ChessKing was really probably designed to teach kids how to play (maybe why I like it ) and has literally thousands of exercises to practice on.  Fritz is a pain to learn how to use but is quite powerful if you master it (or so I've been told).  I'll let someone else give you a rundown on free programs.

If I were you I'd be firing up all the Chess Mentor beginner and intermediate courses on tactics.  GM Patrick Wolff ( probably not spelled right) has a whole series of courses on all the tactical motifs. You know; the pins, forks, skewers, xrays, interference, etc.  Really worth putting some serious time into these IMHO since tactics from the vocabulary of chess.  Good luck with your games!

     I agree with Dog but, to answer your question, try Chessmaster 10th Edition works well with Windows 7.  Good luck finding it. Its a little old now. @2001 I think  I got mine at Staples a few yrs back.

I have had several editions of Chessmaster but currently have only CM11 Grandmaster Edition.  One thing I like about Chessmaster is the "natural language advice."  You can have the Chessmaster engine analyze your games in plain English.  It will explain why your move is bad or good as well as pinpoint the losing move for either side.

This is one area where I believe current programs have dropped the ball.  If Houdini or Stockfish had natural language advice programmed into them and actually explained why a move is bad like Chessmaster does instead of just giving a score with a string of variations then I believe their contributions to patzers like me would be revolutionary.

I have an older version of Shredder and it has a few verbal comments but not like Chessmaster.

Here is an example of how Chessmaster comments on moves.  Say I start out with c4.  Chessmaster comments on the English Opening.  I then ask advice on countering that move as Black.

1.c4 A10 English Opening. The English opening move avoids a number of Black defenses and proceeds on the more deliberate idea of counterattacking in the center, often in conjunction with fianchettoing both Bishops.

1...?  The Chessmaster recommends: Pawn to d4.

Analysis: You move your pawn to d4. Black counters with the pawn to e5. You move your pawn to e3. Black responds by moving knight to f6. You move your knight to c3. Black responds with knight to c6. You move your knight to f3. Black counters with the pawn to e4, which attacks your knight at f3. You move your knight to d2, which moves it to safety. Black answers with bishop to f5. You move your bishop to e2, which clears the way for a kingside castle. Black replies by moving bishop to e7, which enables the short castle.

As a result of this line of play, your attack potential is increased. Additionally, the development of your pawns is somewhat improved.

Here's what I do - It's called the school of hard knocks.

Start playing a lot 5 minute blitz (you can get a lot of games in quickly that way).  Lose a lot. Gradually over a few years your ELO should climb 200-250 points.  Also every now and then do the chess.com tactics training. 

Right now, if you're below 1000 I'd say just spend a week or two doing as many tactics training lessons as you can (it's discipline like calisthenics) but it sure helps you recognize patterns, both in how you can be attacked and how you can attack, and it helps you recognize them quickly and instinctively.  I know that whenever I've taken the time to do that I definitely play better.