Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2: Chess in the Black Castle | 
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| From: Viva Media
Category: Software
List Price: $29.99
Buy New: $24.82
You Save: $5.17 (17%)
New (8) Used (4) from $21.58
Rating:  24 reviews
Sales Rank: 1325
Format: Cd-rom
Platforms: Windows Nt, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows Xp
Genre: Childrens Board Games Software Games
ESRB: Everyone
Media: Video Game
Number Of Items: 1
Batteries Included: No
Operating System: Windows 2000
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 1.3
MPN: 838639001682
Model: 00168
UPC: 838639001682
EAN: 0838639001682
ASIN: B00068M52W
Release Date: November 5, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: Brand New - Factory Sealed - Gift Quality! Item has never been opened or used. Jewel Case Version. Prompt Shipping! Free Delivery Confirmation and Free Email Notification on all U.S. orders. 100% Satisfaction Money-Back Guarantee! No Questions Asked Total Refund Policy. I Have High Numbers of 100% Positive Feedback From Other Online Sales. Thanks, Mary
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| Features:
| • | A new chess adventure with Fritz, Bianca, and Chesster | | • | Covers openings, middle game tactics, endgames, pinning, and more | | • | Over 20 mini games within the game for practice | | • | Powered by "Fritz", the world's leading chess software | | • | For kids ages 8 and up |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Learn To Play Chess 2 brings back Fritz, Bianca and Chesster for an all-new chess adventure! Rescue Chesster from deep within the Black Castle, as you learn sophisticated chess tactics and strategies. Multiple pawn endgames like the Square rule, key squares and much more Powered by FRITZ, the world's #1 ranked chess software
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| Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 Excellent game for kids who know the rules January 3, 2005
Igor Khmelnitsky (Philadelphia)
89 out of 93 found this review helpful
Original Fritz and Chester (F&C), that was released less than two years ago, was a revolutionary program because it managed to combined introduction of chess rules and some very basic principles with exceptional graphics that kept children, including my 5 year old, glued to the screen and eager to play (and learn). The program was really high quality and proved to be very attractive for kids as young as 3. You can find my extensive review of the original F&C here on Amazon. Also, it is strongly recommended in my book "Chess Exam and Training Guide: Rate Yourself and Learn how to improve."
When I heard that the second installment of the program was released, I was very eager to get it to see if the makers were able to beat their original. Well, the answer is "Yes!" and the comment is "Wow!" The best thing about the F&C that it is a sequential product with minimal rehash of the real basic material (rules) that was introduced in the F&C 1. You get the same high quality graphics, new games, which are very simple, yet hilarious and with some clever underlying coaching. For example, who in the right mind would have thought of trying to split the piece of pie to feed two pigs, all on the tennis court? Yet, the way it is done, not only it is funny, but also it will eventually help the child to learn the idea of double attack on diagonal. Another funny game is the shooting the cannon-man, will develop easy understanding of the pin and skewer.
Besides the games there are plenty of training modules, each teaching some of the basic tactical and strategic principles in a very simple and entertaining way.
Could this game be better? Of course, among the things that I found questionable are long dialogs that can't be interrupted and some unnecessary technical inflexibility. Some of the training modules are somewhat dubious, but... I am sure these issues will be addressed in the future. Until the F&C 3 is on the market this program is the best that is available for children who know basic rules and ready to learn some introductory level of strategy and tactics. For a complete beginner, I would recommend to start with F&C 1. For adults eager to improve, I would suggest products by Convekta, also available on Amazon.
Also, to address concern's of prior reviewers:
To be able to switch the chess pieces from cartoon characters to regular format - There should be a picture/button just outside of the chessboard, near square "a4". Clicking on it switches the look of chess pieces.
Also, in some instances the dialogs / songs / music can be interrupted by double-clicking on left mouse button.
Best of luck!
Have you taken your "Chess Exam" yet?
My kids beat me at chess today! January 6, 2006
Learning All The Time (USA)
31 out of 32 found this review helpful
My kids (6 and 8) are learning so much from Fritz and Chesster 2!! In fact, my 6 year old daughter started winning a few games at their local chess club after graduating to this game (from Fritz and Chesster 1).
Today I decided to play with them (since they don't like to play against each other - they're still working on that "good sportsmanship" thing), and I let them team up against me. I was viewing this as an opportunity to help them think ahead, predict moves, and protect their pieces.
However, I was the one who learned!! They surprised me again and again by reciting strategies (move your bishops and knights out, save your Queen for the real battle, don't move your pawns willy nilly, break your oponnent's wall, etc...) they had learned from this game.
They also knew the relative value of the pieces, but could see advantages to making uneven swaps sometimes. For example, they shocked me by sacrificing a bishop for a pawn in order to open a hole in my wall, which they later exploited to checkmate my king. This was a strategy that even 1 month ago would have been unthinkable to them.
Anyway, I defer to other more experienced chess players and computer users who have made specific comments about graphics, dialogue, and strategies. I am sure that at some point, my kids will move beyond this game and what it has to offer.
But for now I couldn't be happier with the Chesster and Fritz games! My kids absolutely love playing the computer games and are really learning to play chess - and not just "computer chess", but chess that lets them beat other kids at chess club - not to mention me.
I think I'm going to go demand a rematch :)
Even Better January 31, 2005
Trish L.
16 out of 17 found this review helpful
Even Better
I bought the first title Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster about a year ago for my son and he liked it a lot. He likes it so much that I got curious and started playing it myself. This software really taught me how to play chess so easily and in such a fun way. I did not play chess when I bought it but I do now!
When I saw on Amazon that there is a sequel available I ordered it right away and I have to say: It is even better than the first one.
If you know the basic rules of chess you will learn so much with this program so easily. There are 21 games within the game that teach you everything you need to know in order to play chess better. You learn about opening strategies, forks and skewers, pinning, castling, deflection, square rules, and, and, and...
The story is a lot of fun and makes you go through the games and learn because you really want to help free Chesster from the evil King Black (he is really evil).
Like in the first title the training mode comes with ten levels of difficulty from very easy to very difficult. But this version comes with a really nice coach function giving hints and tips while you play. Also, you can now reverse the board so that you can play with black at any time.
I also really like the graphics and the whole atmosphere the game provides. It really makes chess a game you want to play.
This program should get 6 and not just 5 stars.
Great chess game to learn with! July 29, 2005
K. Nelson (Kearney, MO United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
My 8 year old son, who plays competitive chess, loves this game. It teaches stategy and has good games for openings and middle games and end games. This was recommended by his chess coach and it is a way for him to learn on his own between sessions.
I would recommend this for players who know the rules, but need to strengthen their game - all done in a fun and truely learning way!
Fun and Challenging Chess Drills August 29, 2005
Patrick Burdett (Houston, TX, USA)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
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.
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