Gushing about...Chessmaster!?

Say what you will, but chess was the precursor to all common strategy games that we like to enjoy today, and, dagnabbit, I just love chess. Centuries ago chess was a game that was mostly played by royalty, played not in jest, but more as a learning tool to teach strategy. In fact, when it was known as King's Game, it was considered of all men of chivalry to have known how to play chess, for a game between two gentlemen was usually the determining factor between royalty of who had the better strategic mind.

In the later years, chess was still regarded as a game for learned individuals. Benjamin Franklin even details it within his writing, noting that chess wasn't just a simple game, it was a learning tool of logical thinking behind foresight, circumspection, and caution. As such, chess rose in popularity during the 1800s when it became more common for all kinds of people to play what was being known as modernized chess.

Yes, well, now that we are done with the back history to chess, on with the game about it then, shall we? Chessmaster is a series of video games that have been going on since the first Chessmaster game in 1986. Back then the game was much simpler; all you pretty much did was play chess against either the computer or another player. But these days the game has evolved; after all, you're going to have to offer bigger incentives if you want people to play a game they can easily pick up at a hobby store for $5.

Which brings us to Chessmaster 10th Edition. Personally, as someone who has played the previous versions, this is definitely my favorite addition. Aside from being able to do the obvious, the game offers lessons of various kinds; opening moves, the basics, strategy, end game, etc. And what's more is that two sets of lessons are done by two famous chess masters of today--on top of the game's Chessmaster Academy. So even if yu don't know a damn thing about chess, the game can teach you from the basics, to advanced tactics, to even some pro moves for you to use.