Chess
Tutor
Interactive chess tutorial
The TASC Chess tutorial is a completely new and different way of learning to play
(better) chess. Not from a book, but interactively with a PC. The computer assumes the
role of teacher and coach and not only keeps score of the pupil's results, but evaluates
and advises as well.
A well-known teaching program
The chess tutorial is based on the training method developed by Rob Brunia and Cor van
Wijgerden. It uses the same notions and structure. The "Brunia-Van Wijgerden"
method has been employed to instruct thousands of children and adults in Holland and
around the world. The method has been adapted especially for use in a computer-program and
all exercises have been revised by original author IM Cor van Wijgerden.
Five steps
The tutorial is divided in a series of steps with increasing difficulty. To advance, the
student should have completed and understood the preceding subjects. Progress is checked
with tests and, if necessary, the student will be directed to re-examine a subject before
proceeding.
The five steps currently available
- Step 1: Rules and basic skills
- Step 2: Winning material, the chess notation
- Step 3: Basic combinations, basic strategy, king and pawn vs king
- Step 4: Combinations, queen vs pawn, weak pawns, kings attack
- Step 5: Advanced combinations, positional features, specific endings
The complete 5 step tutorial is included on the TASC Chess CD.
Instruction and practice
A step consists of a number of lessons, each with a clear and well-defined
theme. The theme is explained in an instruction, by means of text, positions and
animations. The student can work through the instruction at his own speed, allowing to
become well acquainted with the matter, without the risk of getting bored.
To practice the newly acquired knowledge, a lesson has several exercise
sections, each consisting of ten exercises. To evaluate one's progress, a score is kept.
Different kinds of assistance in answering a question are available, but using them or
taking too much time lowers the score. If the final score in a section is insufficient,
the student will be directed to a previous lesson to refresh his knowledge and skill,
before trying again.
With the TASC chess tutorial students can learn and study chess individually
and independently with a minimum of supervision. Disciplined and serious use guarantees
steady progress and increased satisfaction from the game of chess.
Sample screenshots
click image to see larger view
Selection screen
Instruction screen
Exercise screen
System requirements
- PC with Intel 8086-compatible or better
- 400K available memory
- EGA or VGA display
- Mouse
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Chessica
Chess program for windows Chessica is a new chess program for Microsoft Windows. It
combines an easy to use interface with a World Champion chess engine.
About the chess engine
The chess engine of Chessica is written by Frans Morsch. He is regarded as one of the best
chess programmers in the world. His programs are famous for their calculation speed and
his latest chess engine, the one that has been build into Chessica has been optimized to
evaluate an unbeaten number of positions per second. This program became World Computer
Chess Champion in Hong Kong May 1995. During the World Championship it beat, amongst
others, Deep Blue, the chess program from IBM running on a super computer. The strength of
the program is also illustrated by the fact that it beat current world chess champion Gary
Kasparov in a rapid chess tournament in Munich!
About the user interface
Chessica has been designed to suit the needs of the experienced chess player as well as
the beginner. The Chessica screen layout is completely adjustable. All windows, including
the chessboard, are resizable. Just open a second game on the screen for reference, remove
clocks and other windows for a "bare" chessboard or have the maximum information
on your screen. However the Chessica screen is arranged, everything remains clear and
functional.
System requirements
- PC running Windows 3.1x (Enhanced Mode) or Windows 95
- 4Mb system memory
- VGA display
- Mouse
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