View source for Chessmaster

{{For|a skilled chess player|Chess master}}
{{GameInfobox
|title = 
|image = Chessmaster.jpg
|caption =
|developer = Ubisoft Romania
|publisher = Ubisoft, Feral Interactive
|genre = Chess
|ratings = ESRB-E
|features = Single-player, Multiplayer
|platforms = Amiga, Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Game Boy, Game Boy Advance, Game Boy Color, Game Gear, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows, MS-DOS, Nintendo DS, Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Xbox 360, PlayStation Portable, ZX Spectrum
|dplatforms = Xbox Live Arcade
}}

'''Chessmaster''' is a [[chess]] playing [[computer game]] series which is now owned and developed by [[Ubisoft]]. It is the best-selling chess franchise in history, with more than five million units sold {{As of|2002|lc=on}}.<ref>[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages3/561961.asp Chessmaster 9000 Review<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

The ''Chessmaster'' series started in 1986 with ''The Chessmaster 2000'' by [[The Software Toolworks]]. It was published for [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Atari 8-bit family|Atari 8-bit]], [[Atari ST]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[Apple Macintosh]], and [[DOS]]. In 1988, ''Chessmaster 2100'' was published for the [[Apple IIGS]], and in 1989 for [[DOS]]. In 1990 ''The Chessmaster'' was published for the [[NES]] and in 1991 it was published for the [[SNES]]. Also in 1991, ''Chessmaster 3000'' was published for [[Windows 3.1x|Windows 3.x]] and in 1995 for [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]].

The current version, Chessmaster XI, was released on 30 October 2007 for PC (titled ''Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition'') and Nintendo DS (titled ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning''), and 12 February 2008 for PlayStation Portable (also titled ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning''). It includes numerous tutorials by [[International Master]] [[Joshua Waitzkin]] for players of all skill levels.<ref>[http://www.chess.com/news/review-chessmaster-grandmaster-edition]</ref>

==Chess engine==
[[File:Chessmaster 10th Edition2 edited.jpg|thumb|250px|right|''Chessmaster 10th Edition'']]
The ''Chessmaster'' [[chess engine]] is called The King, written by [[Johan de Koning]] of the [[Netherlands]]. It was introduced in ''Chessmaster 4000''; earlier releases featured a chess engine written by [[David Kittinger]].

According to the September 2009 [[Swedish Chess Computer Association]] (SSDF)  rating list, ''Chessmaster 9000'' has an estimated [[Elo rating system|Elo rating]] of 2718 on an [[Athlon]]-1200 PC.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ssdf.bosjo.net/list.htm | title=The SSDF Rating List | accessdate=2008-04-30}}</ref> If multiple versions of other engines are stripped out of their list, ''Chessmaster 9000'' ranks 14th among all engines tested. {{As of|2008|5}}, ''Chessmaster 9000'' remains the most recent version rated by the SSDF. Another rating list, CCRL, places Chessmaster 11th Edition in 24th place on its December 2009 list.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.computerchess.org.uk/ccrl/4040/rating_list_pure_all.html | title=CCRL 40/40 - Pure List | date=2009-09-04 | accessdate=2009-09-14}}</ref>

The King engine allows users to create new playing styles, also called "personalities", by manipulating several dozen different settings, such as King Safety, Pawn Weakness, Randomness, Mobility and others. Individual piece values can also be adjusted. ''Chessmaster 9000'', for example, features over 150 different personalities ranging from [[International Grandmaster]] strength down to Stanley, who is described as a monkey and plays what are essentially random moves.

The personality feature has inspired many amateur [[computer chess]] enthusiasts to attempt to find more optimum personalities.In ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'', the creation of new personalities has been made easier than before.

''Chessmaster 9000'' defeated then U.S. Chess Champion [[International Grandmaster]] [[Larry Christiansen]] in a four-game match held in September 2002.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2002_Oct_1/ai_92289535 | work=Business Wire | title=Chessmaster 9000 Defeats Reigning US Chess Champion Larry Christiansen; Chessmaster Wins Four Game Match 2.5 to 1.5 Via Live Internet Broadcast on ChessClub.com | date=1 October 2002}}</ref> ''Chessmaster'' won the match 2.5-1.5. The ''Chessmaster'' program was operated by John Merlino, the Project Manager of ''Chessmaster'' at the time of the match. Four different personalities were used in the match, the first three of which were based on famous human [[Grandmaster (chess)|Grandmasters]]: [[Alexander Alekhine]], [[Bobby Fischer]], and [[Mikhail Botvinnik]]. The final game of the match used the default "Chessmaster" personality. Christiansen won the first game, lost the second and third games, and the fourth game resulted in a draw.

==Platforms==

To date, various versions of ''Chessmaster'' have appeared on [[Amiga]], [[Apple II]], [[Apple IIGS]], [[Atari 8-bit family|Atari 8-bit]], [[Atari ST]], [[ZX Spectrum]], [[Commodore 64]], [[DOS]], [[IBM compatible|PC]], [[Apple Macintosh|Mac]], [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System]], [[Game Boy]], [[Game Boy Color]], [[Game Boy Advance]], [[Nintendo DS]], [[Sega Game Gear]], [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]], [[PlayStation 2]], [[Xbox]], and [[Mobile games|mobile phones]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/search/index.html?game=chessmaster&platform=0 | title = Search Games - Chessmaster | work = [[GameFAQs]] | accessdate = 2007-09-19 }}</ref> Early Macintosh versions ''Chessmaster 3000, 4000 and Multimedia'' were developed by [[Sebastian Rapport]] and [[Troy Heere]] that leveraged the Kittinger and de Koning engines respectively. Later Macintosh versions were ported by [[Feral Interactive]], and the latest Macintosh version available is ''Chessmaster 9000''. Ubisoft also offers a downloadable version of the game: "''Chessmaster Challenge'' differs from ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' in its simplified interface, and scaled-down tutorials. It’s a non-retail product available for trial and purchase through download only."<ref>[http://www.ubi.com/US/Downloads/Info.aspx?dlId=789 ''Chessmaster Challenge''] Ubisoft</ref>

==Interface==
[[File:Chessmaster 9000 screenshot.jpg|thumb|220px|right|''Chessmaster 9000'']]
The more recent editions of ''Chessmaster'' include both 2D and 3D designs, and a large number of different boards and themed chess piece designs. The interface was revised for ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' and features animated 3D sets<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.chessmaster.com/us/screenshot.php?screenid=4368 | title = Screenshots: 9 of 18 | work = Chessmaster | accessdate = 2007-09-19 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Screenshots: 10 of 18 | url = http://www.chessmaster.com/us/screenshot.php?screenid=4348 | work = Chessmaster | accessdate = 2007-09-19 }}</ref> in which the pieces "walk" between squares and have simulated battles when a piece is taken, reminiscent of ''[[Battle Chess]]'' and the [[Harry Potter]] [[Magical objects in Harry Potter#Wizard.27s Chess|Wizards chess]] set. (Previous editions also feature fully 3D sets but are not animated and the pieces do not battle.) ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' also comes packed with a pair of red and blue glasses to view the set in "enhanced 3D".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.chessmaster.com/us/whatsnew.php | title = WHAT'S NEW | work = Chessmaster | accessdate = 2007-09-19 }}</ref>

==Xbox Live Arcade==
An [[Xbox Live Arcade]] version with [[Xbox Live]] multiplayer and [[Xbox Live Vision]] camera support for the [[Xbox 360]] called ''Chessmaster Live'' was released on 30 January 2008 for 800 [[Microsoft Points]] ($10 [[USD]]).

This version of Chessmaster contained a bug allowing the white player to indefinitely hold up a match until a player resigned. The game was eventually patched so that neither player would gain or lose Elo points if they resign before the first move.

== Reception ==
Critical reaction to the ''Chessmaster'' series has been mostly positive. [[GameSpot]] commented that "''Chessmaster'' has remained the consummate standard in console chess games since the '80s."<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/mobile/puzzle/chessmaster/review.html Chessmaster mobile review], GameSpot, Jun 15, 2004</ref> [[IGN]] said that "the series itself remains the best way to play and learn about chess on the PC."<ref name="ign10th">[http://pc.ign.com/articles/542/542613p1.html Chessmaster 10th Edition review], IGN, 26 August 2004</ref>

''Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition'', the most recent PC edition of the series, scored positive reviews, with [[PC Gamer]] saying: "this one-stop shop for an entire chess-playing and learning family should last until you're all grandmasters."<ref>PC Gamer, Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition review, Apr 2008, p.64</ref> ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' holds an 84% rating on review aggregator site [[Game Rankings]].<ref>[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/921361.asp?q=chessmaster Chessmaster 10th Edition], [[Game Rankings]]</ref> IGN gave ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' a score of 8.4/10, calling it "the best chess game in town."<ref name="ign10th"/> GameSpot's review of ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' said, "If you're looking for a good chess program that's packed with a plethora of features and all the bells and whistles, you'll be very happy with ''Chessmaster 10th Edition''.<ref name="gspot10th">[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/puzzle/chessmaster10thedition/review.html Chessmaster 10th Edition review], GameSpot, 7 September 2004</ref>

The [[mobile games|mobile phone]] version of ''Chessmaster'' received a score of 9/10 from IGN, who called it "an absolutely superlative product that will be enjoyed for week after week by fans of the mental contest."<ref>[http://wireless.ign.com/articles/528/528908p1.html Chessmaster mobile review], IGN, 7 July 2004</ref> IGN criticized the Nintendo DS version of ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning'' for its lack of multiplayer, but gave it an overall positive review, with a score of 7.8/10.<ref>[http://ds.ign.com/articles/839/839557p1.html Chessmaster: The Art of Learning - DS review], IGN, 4 December 2007</ref> IGN criticized the "boring" presentation of the PlayStation Portable version of ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning'', but added that "there's no doubt that the information is valuable and can teach you the finer points of the game." <ref>[http://psp.ign.com/articles/855/855765p1.html ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning - PSP review], IGN, 28 February 2008</ref>

Although the ''Chessmaster'' [[chess engine]] is generally not as strong as the engines of other commercially-available chess programs such as [[Fritz (chess)|Fritz]],<ref>[http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM8000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html Chessmaster 8000 vs. Fritz 6], Roger McIntyre, Logical Chess</ref><ref>[http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM9000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html Chessmaster 9000 vs. Fritz 6], Roger McIntyre, Logical Chess</ref> critics have praised the ''Chessmaster'' series for its comprehensive tutorials aimed at players of amateur and moderate skill levels. In its review of ''Chessmaster 9000'', IGN said that "the series has always distinguished itself with first-rate chess teaching tools," and welcomed the game's "appeal towards inexperienced and mid-level players. With all manner of tutorials, detailed analysis and exercises, the game helps ease newbies into the experience."<ref>[http://pc.ign.com/articles/371/371349p1.html Chessmaster 9000 review], IGN, 17 September 2002</ref> GameSpot's review of ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' commented positively on the game's "huge bundle of features aimed at everyone from the neophyte who's looking to learn the basics to the advanced wood pusher who may need practice for tournament play."<ref name="gspot10th"/>

A common criticism of the series has been the lack of new features in successive installments. IGN's review of ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' commented, "it simply doesn't add enough over any of the last two versions to make it a necessary upgrade."<ref name="ign10th"/>

==See also==
* [[List of chess software]]
* [[Computer chess]]

==Notable games==

* [[Larry Christiansen]] vs. ''Chessmaster 9000'' (September 2002), annotated at [[GameKnot]]:
**[http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/gm-larry-christiansen-chessmaster-9000-game-one-1.pl?gm=2236 Game 1], [http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/larry-christiansen-chessmaster-9000-game-two-2.pl?gm=2238 Game 2], [http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/larry-christiansen-chessmaster-9000-game-three-3.pl?gm=2239 Game 3], [http://gameknot.com/annotation.pl/larry-christiansen-chessmaster-9000-game-four-4.pl?gm=2240 Game 4]

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
*[http://chessmaster.us.ubi.com/xi/index.php Chessmaster XI website]
*{{gamespot|id=942758|''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning''}}

[[Category:Video games developed in Romania]]