Product: Ubisoft Chessmaster 10th Edition Price: HK$270 Pros: Easy-to-learn setup for novice chess players Cons: Advanced players may find the engine less powerful than Fritz 8's
As a game of strategy recognised for improving players' critical thinking, concentration and creativity, chess has seen its appeal grow since its adoption by major entertainment software publishers such as Ubisoft and Viva Media for PC users.
One of the most successful of these video games is Chessmaster, which has sold more than five million copies worldwide since it was launched more than a decade ago. The software's latest version, Chessmaster 10th Edition, features a new, easy-to-navigate interface with drop-down menus that are loaded with coaching options. Compared with rival program Fritz 8 from Viva Media, the new Chessmaster appears to be more user-friendly to first-time chess players.
An online module provides a ranking system, teaching tools, chat functions between opponents and a program to establish new tournaments on the Web.