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Think Like a King Chess Workout Family Package

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From: ChessCentral
Category: Video Games

List Price: ~~$129.95~~
Buy New: $99.95
You Save: $30.00 (23%)

Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

6 reviews
Sales Rank: 19039

Format: Single
ESRB: Kids to Adults
Media: CD-ROM
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 0.5 x 5.3

EAN: 9781886846777
ASIN: 1886846774

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days

Features:

•	One CD contains a complete chess library for everyone to share - get all six Chess Workouts with First Lessons in Chess
•	First Lessons is our basic tutorial for novices, whether young or old. Covering all the basic rules and moves, chess notation, opening strategy, tactics and common endgame scenarios
•	Think Like A King series is the perfect starting point for those new to chess, from grade 3 to adult.
•	Dozens of animations, challenges and 165 interactive chess puzzles make learning a snap.
•	Chess tutorials are completely engaging and interactive.

Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
First Lessons in Chess - a perfect way for reading-aged children grade 3 and up (or their parents!) to get started in chess. First Lessons is for players new to chess, whether young or old. Covering all the basic rules and moves, including chess notation, opening strategy, tactics and common endgame scenarios, this introduction to the Think Like A King learning series contains dozens of animations, challenges and 165 interactive chess puzzles that make learning a snap. Tactical Thinking-Master basic tactical concepts with an interactive tutorial designed to help players recognize strategic and tactical opportunities. From Pins to Forks and Skewers, Undermining to Overworking, basic tactical thinking is clearly defined and demonstrated via interactive puzzles. Simple text explanations and minimal reliance on chess notation make this a perfect teaching tool for beginning students. Checkmate Thinking -apply the tactical lessons learned above and add the next level of thinking (pattern recognition and combination attacks) to pursue the ultimate goal of Checkmate. Over 300 interactive checkmate problems that transform beginners into real chess thinkers!Endgame Thinking - Everything may come down to the Endgame, and here's where beginners have the most trouble. A course on the science of the end of the game, endings where clear thinking and careful play are critical. Learn the tactics of Pawn Promotion and the rules that let you create a winning position - or prevent your opponent from gaining one! Opening Thinking - a truly unique learning tool that explores the why and not just the how of opening play. Covering the common openings and variants, with Traps, Zaps and more.

Customer Reviews: Read 1 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Great program but user-friendliness could be improved on October 13, 2006
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I really like the way this program drastically improved my tactical vision by just solving about 100 "Grades By Difficulty" puzzles a day for a period of a few weeks (!). My rating on ICC went up about 100 points and, equally important, my confidence grows accordingly. Wonder what this will do to my future otb-rating (ELO).

Only two complaints:

1)When taking a test there's no "counter" visible, so you don't have a clue how many puzzles you still have to go (I like the way other programs of theirs - like "Intermediate Tactics" give information like "#5 of 50").
2)When you make a few mistakes, a small window opens up, showing you a similar position as the one you're trying to solve, which you can practice on, but... where the "main puzzles" have the (option of showing the) color you're playing at the bottom of the board, these small "help boards" always show the position from the White side.

I find the above mentioned "shortcomings" annoying, but maybe it's just me...

Overall, definitely a program worth buying, although I'd suggest you get "Total Chess Training", which not only contains CT-ART 3.0, but also 4 other interesting programs (Encyclopedia of Middlegames, Encyclopedia of Opening Blunders, Studies 2.0 and Strategy 2.0) for about $95. There's also a newer version of this product ("Total Chess Training 2") available for the same price, here on Amazon.com

5 out of 5 stars

Great Product September 26, 2006
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

First, the scoring system is a real modivator: depending on how you do on a problem your (estimated) ELO goes up or down. I work harder on the problems because I want the gratification of a higher score, and if I am not paying attention I get hit with a score penality! This constant reinforcement keeps me focused. Second, chess combinations are well tested, and one can check his or her own solution using the built in Craft chess engine. Finally, the system provides hints if you make a wrong move, allowing one to gradually work up to harder problems. This software does not have a 3d graphic interface, but this software has all the other options that will facilitate your study.

1 out of 5 stars

Not Worth It June 24, 2006
8 out of 16 found this review helpful

This is one of the poorest constructed chess tutors I have ever used. The whole point of teaching is to enable the student to learn. It may have a huge database of examples and lessons but the user interface is so badly done and the documentation is poorly written and poorly executed. It is just poor. It could have been so much better and if more money and work are put into it. Then it may be of real use to someone. For now stick to ChessMaster tutorials, from 7000 on up or Fritz for more experienced players. Learning and working with an application should never be this hard. Chess is hard enough on its own. Much better feed back is needed in this program. Why a move is better or worse and so on. I complete redesign is necessary to turn this thing around. I don't why it got good reviews at all.

5 out of 5 stars

Buy this now! December 31, 2005
9 out of 11 found this review helpful

If you want to improve your chess playing, buy this program. In short, it will make you a better player.

Under a master standard level (2000 ELO) tactics is the name of the game, and this teaches them. There are over 1200 examples which are beautifully laid out, and there are friendly hints to guide you in the right direction should you not initially find the right solution.

In my opinion, this is one of the best purchases you can make if you want to improve your chess. Although after reading Michael De La Mazza's Rapid Chess Improvement I was already a convert.

5 out of 5 stars

Fantastic training tool and a true bargain! December 14, 2004
21 out of 24 found this review helpful

This is an excellent training tool for players of over 1300 USCF. Additionally, it offers exceptional value for your money providing 100s of hour of valuable training for a very modest price.

General comment on Tactical Training:
Mastering the Tactical training consists of fast and accurate recognition of standard tactical ideas (motifs) and ability to calculate. Your training should be split in two parts - learning the motifs and then improving you ability to calculate. In the early positions you will have to go through simple 1-2 moves tactics involving double attack, deflection, attraction, and other basic tactical motifs. As you progress - you will have to deal with multiple tactical ideas, longer variations and more resourceful defense.
The rating you get is more generous than it should have been, but nevertheless a good indicator of your progress.

This tool is ideal for practicing! I use this software regularly so do most of my students. In my new book "Chess Exam and Training Guide: Rate Yourself and Learn How to Improve", I provide more information on how to use this tool as well as how to identify other suitable products for your training.

Good luck!
Copyrighted by me!