5 stars ( Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster ) - I wanted a game that helped my 6 year old advance his interest in chess and this did the trick. He learned about how the pieces moved, their names, how to write the codes for the moves and had a great time doing it. If you never played chess or just want a game to learn more about strategies and technique - this is it. 5 stars (Learn to Play Chess!) - I really like this computer game because it uses parts-to-whole instruction - it introduces each chess piece separately with an interesting strategy game that teaches how it moves. Kids have to master the strategy games for each piece before they are given a chance to play with a full board. But more important than MY impressions are those of my kids - 6 and 8, boy and girl, - who just LOVE this game and cheer each other on. I am thrilled to have them captivated by a "thinking" game. They have generalized their interest in chess to a real board too - they do not just play the game on the computer. Another note - while I personally enjoy the graphics, they are not sophisticated or realistic, but more like illustrations in a children's book. Definitely worth the money. 4 stars (A very cool software for kids) - My kids love this program. It's really a fun program. ... Viva Media :: learn :: to :: play :: chess :: with :: fritz :: and :: chesster :: viva :: media :: business :: finance :: business :: finance :: learntoplaychesswithfritzandchesster 02 july :: 2003 :: Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster
3 stars (Good software) - Nice software for kids. Not sure how much this will help their chess though. More for entertainment than chess improvement. 5 stars (What a find!) - My kids loved the first Fritz and Chesster chess CD. They were just as pleased with the second. Although they're recommended for ages 8 and up, there is minimal reading involved, making it appropriate for even our 5 year old. I know nothing about chess, but this works to make it accessible to my kids, despite my ignorance. Highly recommend! 5 stars (Fun and Challenging Chess Drills) - When you practice basketball, you practice one specific skill at a time. Repetition of fundamental movements leads to mastery. Chess, of course, is the same, but I have never really seen a book or program that uses this fundamental method of practice as an approach to learning the game. What is even more special is that the drills are FUN! My son (a precocious seven years old) will practice one drill for up to an hour, trying to reach the next level in the Black Castle. My wife looks at the "video game" he is playing and asks, "Where is the Chess?" But the Chess is definitely there. I play it myself to beef up my skills. Sure I know what a discovered check is, but I've probably only used it a half dozen times in an actual game. This lets me identify the move in dozens of different tactical situations - outstanding practice. Same for forks, pins, double checks, and lots of other really good tactical plays. I have heard the first version is great at teaching the game. My son already knew the basics quite well, so I got the second version. I think that was the right move. But for a beginner I think the first version has got to be great too after seeing how well this one works. ... Viva Media- LLC :: learn :: to :: play :: chess :: with :: fritz :: and :: chesster :: 2 :: chess :: in :: the :: black :: castle :: viva :: media :: llc :: home :: education :: kids :: parenting :: learntoplaychesswithfritzandchess :: Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2- Chess in the Black Castle