Beginners Chess

[JRS]

Any suggestions for s/ware for a child just starting out? Easy levels and
graphically appealing if possible.

Thanks.
Jon

 

[Ionizer]

Any suggestions for s/ware for a child just starting out? Easy levels and
graphically appealing if possible.

Thanks.
Jon

I just installed Pawn 2 from http://www.pawnchess.com/4668.html It's not a
3-D board, but it looks nice enough. You move the pieces simply by clicking
on them and dragging them to the desired square. The beginner level has
options for how likely the computer is to make a "mistake." I just played
one game moments ago- the first game of chess I've played in over a decade,
actually. I lost, somewhat narrowly, and only then because I made *many*
really, really STUPID moves. I can't believe that I used to be
semi-competent at this game!

Anyway, this could be one for you to try with your kid. It's freeware,
installed easily, plays easily, and has an optional voice pack for "check"
and, in my case, "checkmate."

Regards,
Ian.

 

[Mark B.]

I just installed Pawn 2 from http://www.pawnchess.com/4668.html

However:

Pawn 2.21 [632 KB]
Requires DirectX 7 or better and a resolution of at least 1024x768.
Voice pack requires Windows Media Player 7 or better.!!!!!!

Pawn 1.13 [147 KB]
Requires DirectX 7 or better

2 alternatives:

There is also the very simple MI Chess 3.0, which is not so fussy in
this respect but "which is reported to crash in XP but runs fine in
98SE", and also runs fine in W2K I might add (I tried). "Game: A
beginner to intermediate chess game designed to pass time in the
office, dorm or anywhere else." Internet play possible.
<http://www.woundedmoon.org/win32/chess.html>
(only 142 Kb!)

and:
RD Chess 3.21, "a good working, simple, chess program."
Internet play possible (I think).
<http://groups.msn.com/RudolfPosch/chessprogramming.msnw>
(1.2 Mb download)

Mark B.

 

[JRS]

Thanks Both,

my daughter is hooked!

Jon

I just installed Pawn 2 from http://www.pawnchess.com/4668.html

However:

Pawn 2.21 [632 KB]
Requires DirectX 7 or better and a resolution of at least 1024x768.
Voice pack requires Windows Media Player 7 or better.!!!!!!

Pawn 1.13 [147 KB]
Requires DirectX 7 or better

2 alternatives:

There is also the very simple MI Chess 3.0, which is not so fussy in
this respect but "which is reported to crash in XP but runs fine in
98SE", and also runs fine in W2K I might add (I tried). "Game: A
beginner to intermediate chess game designed to pass time in the
office, dorm or anywhere else." Internet play possible.
<http://www.woundedmoon.org/win32/chess.html>
(only 142 Kb!)

and:
RD Chess 3.21, "a good working, simple, chess program."
Internet play possible (I think).
<http://groups.msn.com/RudolfPosch/chessprogramming.msnw>
(1.2 Mb download)

Mark B.

 

[joebee]

I just installed Pawn 2 from http://www.pawnchess.com/4668.html

However:

Pawn 2.21 [632 KB]
Requires DirectX 7 or better and a resolution of at least 1024x768.
Voice pack requires Windows Media Player 7 or better.!!!!!!

Pawn 1.13 [147 KB]
Requires DirectX 7 or better

2 alternatives:

There is also the very simple MI Chess 3.0, which is not so fussy in
this respect but "which is reported to crash in XP but runs fine in
98SE", and also runs fine in W2K I might add (I tried). "Game: A
beginner to intermediate chess game designed to pass time in the
office, dorm or anywhere else." Internet play possible.
<http://www.woundedmoon.org/win32/chess.html>
(only 142 Kb!)

and:
RD Chess 3.21, "a good working, simple, chess program."
Internet play possible (I think).
<http://groups.msn.com/RudolfPosch/chessprogramming.msnw>
(1.2 Mb download)

Mark B.

Thanks for that great freeware site Mark, in my favourites list now.