This site vs. Chessmaster/Fritz

So my Diamond trial ended and I loved it. I am a college student without steady income so trivial things like this are a decision and I wanted some of you guys/girls advice. Do you all think I should just go buy $25-$50 software, or would it be beneficial to wait and just get the membership? I will say I loved the lessons on here, very straight forward and what not. Just hoping to get some advice! :)

Depends on what you want on this journey called "Chess improvement".

Beating friends at coffeeshops/casual games? Playing OTB tourneys?  Becoming an online blitz-wizard? Aspirations for world domination? :)

I'd definitely not even start comparing this site's rich content to static software like CM or Fritz (which is not really that much of a "knowledge-based" learning tool) so getting a membership would be better.

There are some really "free" ways to get better quickly ... but they have different costs (dedication + putting in the work!)

- Visiting local clubs, playing and having stronger players critique your games/play regularly.

- Doing the same (as above) at local USCF rated tournaments!
- Storing and analyzing your games using free database + engine software (SCID, Houdini)
- Reading a ton of good content online (available freely)

Last time I checked you could get Chessmaster 10 for $10 on Amazon.com.  If that is still available, it's a great deal.  I love this site and consider my annual $100 the best purchase I make, but if money's tight, money is tight.  I have Fritz 12 and it's a royal pain to use.  My totally uninformed advice?  Buy Chessmaster for $10 if you can find it, go through the courses there and by the time you're through maybe you'll have enough for a diamond membership.

Baddogno, I have heard 10 is good, but just not sure the difference between that one and Grandmaster Edition. Honestly, I want to be able to play good. I'm pretty serious about learning, so I'd like to learn. I've looked for local clubs but unless I drive a decent amount of time there really isn't any around, but I'm trying to figure something out! I like this site because it describes everything...some of the tutorials I have found tell me the right answer, but doesn't really EXPLAIN why. Books are hard for me to learn from alone because I find it beneficial to move pieces and see why I'm wrong. Maybe it'd be worth getting both. Just need to find out if Grandmaster is worth the extra.

 of the tutorials I have found tell me the right answer, but doesn't really EXPLAIN why. 

 Though if you are playing over games from instructional annotated books, then simply use free database software (like SCID) on your PC or smartphone to play the moves and use free engines to answer the "why can't I play this/that" type of questions that have tactical implications.

Shivsky, the software on here does it to that extent I need. I just like being able to use the computer because it helps me understand the errors I make in my game. I'm upset I can't find Chessmaster in stores, though!

Ubisoft no longer supports Chessmaster; they're unwilling to make it compatible with the latest Windows so it's on the way out.  CM 10 has everything Grandmaster has except multiprocessor support (dubious and buggy) and Josh Waitzkin's latest module (art of winning?  something like that).  There "might" be some free software out there if you were to check around and maybe Google oh something like "free chess programs".  Best bet is to come up with $100 and spend about 40 hours watching all of IM Danny Rensch's "Live session videos".  You want explanation?  He's got explanation.  

+Infinity.

Danny's live-session videos have been proven to increase rating points for every second that you watch them :)

I don't think a program like fritz or chessmaster can even come close to compare to the instructional content on this website.  I think it is well worth the price just for the unlimited access to the videos.  If you think about it its like having access to hundreds of chess lessons from master and grandmaster players on all different areas of chess.  Lessons can run you up to and over 100 bucks an hour so 100 bucks a year for videos in my opinion is priceless.  Fritz can help you get better but you won't increase your chess knowledge with it.  I wouldn't consider either as a replacement for chess.com they simply don't compare.

Well, found Chessmaster 10 for $10 at OfficeMax, couldn't pass it up...I already love it! Just too bad online isn't around anymore...oh well, guess you guys gotta deal with me! :D

Say hello to "Slick" for me.  Always responds to e4 with c5 and plays like an animal until the eventual blunder and then you can beat him.  Always good for a quick selfesteem boost.

While the forum still exists, go to the Ubisoft forum and download the patches from the Downloads sticky thread. Install them in order, then you'll be set!

http://forums.ubi.com/forumdisplay.php/101-Chessmaster-10th-Edition

I shall play Slick at some point! haha

E, did all that and all of the extra books, etc. This is PACKED with tutorials and training stuff, plus others have made ending books and more on finding mates with bishops, rooks, etc. For ten bucks this is serious stuff. I'm happy to say the least.