What Do I Need To Know About Chess Software?

Computers such as IBM's Deep Blue exclusively used their entire hardware and software resources to win chess matches. In reality, Deep Blue was a one trick pony albeit that it was a pretty impressive trick to outwit a Grandmaster like Gary Kasparov with silicon and computing power.

For the rest of society whose computers have to earn their keep with spreadsheets, word processing and email, the solution is chess programs. These are specially-written pieces of software designed for regular computers to challenge their users to a game of chess.

Naturally, there is a diverse choice of chess programs on offer – from freeware to full commercial packages, from stark functional match play interfaces to stunning full colour 3D graphics. Once regarded only for their novelty value, chess programmes in recent years have made huge advances.

Today's chess software can beat even the most experienced player, and, due to their ability to play at varying degrees of difficulty, are now viewed as a valuable learning aid.