Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!ucsd!mvb.saic.com!ncr-sd!serene!cbmami!jason
From: jason@cbmami.UUCP (Jason Goldberg)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.games
Subject: Re: Chess for amiga
Message-ID: <1876cb68.ARN0d32@cbmami.UUCP>
Date: 3 Jan 91 09:41:44 GMT
References: <40463@nigel.ee.udel.edu>
Reply-To: jason@cbmami.UUCP
Followup-To: comp.sys.amiga.games
Lines: 32

This brings up an interesting point about Chess programs for the Amiga.  I
was at the store the other day and saw both CheckMate and ChessMaster2100,
both made the following claim on the backs of their box:

"The strongest playing chess program in the world (and the easiest)"

Is it possible that they both have the same chess alogrithm in them?  They
are both distributed by Electronic Arts but CheckMate is from Interplay
(battle chess) and ChessMaster2000 is from Software Toolworks (chessmaster
2000).  ChessMaster 2100 claims a USCF rating of 2250, while CheckMate
does not give a rating.  CheckMate seems to have a much richer opening
library than does ChessMaster 2100, and CheckMate allows you to play any
opening of defense you want.  I have not been able to determine if
ChessMaster 2100 has this feature or not, CM 2000 didn't.  Also CheckMate
claims to add "strong moves" to its library, I consider this a gimmick, it
already has almost the whole Modern Chess Openings library, and I don't
think a chess alogrithm can add moves to its middle or end play, not to
mention that a its unlikely a 2250 rated player will find too many moves
from most of us ;-)

On a side note, I am a little dubious of the USCF computer ratings,
ChessMaster 2000 was supposed to be rated at close to 2100, I am rated at
1650 and I didn't find it to be that strong.  I would like one that could
play any opening I requested, but I would also like to know which truly is
stronger.


-Jason-

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Jason Goldberg				UUCP: ucsd!serene!cbmami!jason
Del Mar, CA