Add HIARCS chess and ChessKing to your choices. I'd give links but they're easy enough to find. HIARCS has an easy to use database function and is fun to play against with humanlike play. ChessKing has all kinds of training exercises (1800 maybe?) and you also play against Houdini full strength but at various piece odds. Real handy for learning to put an opponent away once you have an advantage. They both have a considerably less steep learning curve than Fritz, but of course Fritz is very powerful once you learn to use it. I'd stay away from ChessMaster at this point. There is no support and the protection scheme has some security issues so Windows probably won't even run it unless you disable some updates. Good luck and don't forget there are free software packages too. Scid v. PC coupled with Stockfish is a forum favorite. I prefer commercial packages since they're a little easier to set up and use, but then I'm pretty much computer illiterate. Your mileage may vary. 
Good luck!
help looking for chess computer. choices are daunting.
I would stay away from Chess King. Far, far, away.
They advertise on their website that they have a Mac version of Chess King.
They do not. I bought it and just figured out that they run the Windows version in Wine on Macs. That is not a Mac version.
They are liars and if they lie about that, what else do they lie about.
I am going to report them for fraud as they advertise a Mac version
Hey thanks for the quick reply. Freeware is always good. However I am serious about improving my game. So i done mind paying for some software.
lol so i say my choices are daunting and you throw in two more choices thanks.
too bad. i cant buy all five. but i certainly cannot.. I heard stock fish is good I have it on my phone but havent played it yet.
I'd vote for an old copy of Chessmaster. Tons of tutorials, annotated games, etc. Waitzkin is a good teacher, too. I still run CM on Windows 8 and it works great. I do wish they would release a modern version, though.
Hello I am a new member or maybe not. but i never posted here before.
I am 48 and have played off and on for many years. but i am not super strong. just a club level player. my FICS ranking is about 1609
I am looking for a good computer program. one that offers some instruction and coaching. but is also going to help me prepare for live opponents. Sometimes playing computers is very boring. The choices seem to be a little difficult to navigate.
Some say houdini for my level. Some say Fritz is for beginners but then others say fritz is good enough for even GM's Some say that some computers are more about tactics
and that Fritz is sort of middle ground between positional and tactics.
I used to be fond of chess master. but they obviously dont make it anymore. but I could still pick up a copy from ebay.
so choices are
fritz
houdini
old chess master
Rybka ????
What i would like is some decent trainer software too so that i can explore opening variations
practice endgame and tactics.
and improve middlegame play.
I know that I am asking a lot. but we live in the information era. I am willing to buy multiple softwares if necessary
I think that getting a good trainer and a good player my mitigate buying two software. items... thanks for any suggestions