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Margaret Chan

The Chessmaster 3000 For Macintosh CHESS is given a whole new dimension by Software Toolworks' latest game for Macintosh The Chessmaker 3000.

 The traditional board game is given hi-tech treatment which provides experienced chess players with the chance to test their moves, analytical strength and intelligence against both human and computerised opponents.

 And this version is proving so popular that tournaments have already been set up.

 It also provides an ideal means for novice players to learn more about the game and how to play it.

 The Chessmaster 3000 has a number of impressive new features which take it several steps ahead of its predecessors - The Chessmaster 2000 and The Chessmaster 2100. These include a better game-analysis feature and marvellous graphics.

 Players can create their own opponents as well as modify how The Chessmaster 3000 thinks, how it evaluates the strength of various positions and how it sets about crushing its opponents.

 It also has a much larger opening book, with about 150,000 extra positions, that tells the players exactly what opening and variation they are playing, while a nifty analysis feature allows players to ''rewind'' their game.

 In addition, there is a fine array of teaching features including online lessons passing on the rules and strategies of the game.

 The advice is given in plain, clear English and several helpful displays keep you up to date on the moves you could make, which pieces are threatened and board coverage.

 You can also choose to return a piece to its starting square if you decide to rethink the move you have just made. However, this is, of course, not allowed in championship mode.

  The other attractive feature of The Chessmaster 3000 is that games can be imported from another source.

  More experienced players can choose the blindfold mode to make their matches more exciting. This means they have to remember the moves without seeing them on screen, a handicap which should give even the most battle-hardened veterans a tough time.

  They can also find out how good they really are by switching to championship mode. In this mode, the players cannot take back moves and have to move the first piece they touch. And, of course, it is all done against the clock, just as in real tournaments.

 The Chessmaster 3000 also offers dazzling graphics with the choice of various pieces and boards.

 Players can select one of four spectacular, fully-detailed, chess sets called Staunton, Fantasy, Oceanic and Chinese.

 There are also three textured chess-board designs - ivory, wood, and marble - to round out an enticing game environment.

 Varied perspectives - 3-D, 2-D, and four War Rooms - provide improved vantage points and the board can also be rotated for a complete view of the game from all sides.

 The window in the War Room lists all captured pieces and past moves, and displays a ''thinking'' window that reveals which moves you might be considering.

 It also shares strategy and planning techniques with the players.

 The Chessmaster 3000 runs on Macintosh Colour Classic, Mac II Series, LC, Performa, Centris, Quadra or Powerbook (except Powerbook 100) with 68020 or higher processor, and System 7.0 or later.

 It supports 256 colours and B&W. For monochrome, 1.5 MB of available RAM and 1.7 MB of hard disk are required; while for colour support, it requires two MB of available RAM and 3.4 MB hard-disk space.

 MEGAHINT: If you find any problems concerning your next move during your game play, get a swift hint from ''Quick Advice'' in the ''Mentor Menu''.

 MEGAHINT: To get more detailed advice and analysis, including the suggested move, the predicted line of play and the impact of the line of play on points and position, select ''Detailed Advice'' instead.

 MEGAHINT: If you know little or nothing about the game, you can choose ''Chess Rules'' to learn the basics of the game and how to move the pieces, and then you can call up ''Chess Tutor'' to learn simple or complex game play strategies.



Make the right moves