Chessmaster 2000
| Industry | Video games |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1980s |
| Products | Chessmaster 2000 |
The Chessmaster 2000 is a computer chess title created by The Software Toolworks. Released in 1986, it marked the beginning of the Chessmaster franchise, with versions available on numerous systems such as Amiga, Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Macintosh, and IBM PC compatibles.
Gameplay
The chess engine in Chessmaster 2000 caters to a wide range of players, from beginners to experts, featuring 12 adjustable difficulty levels. The game offers helpful tools like computer-generated hints and supports three-dimensional board rotation. Additionally, it includes analyses of renowned tournament games, allowing users to set up and study historic chess positions. The package also contained an illustrated booklet produced by the U.S. Chess Federation along with a discounted membership offer, enhancing its appeal to chess fans.
Reception
Compute! recognized Chessmaster 2000 as the standard for chess software, emphasizing The Software Toolworks' consistent engine performance across different editions. In 1986, Computer Gaming World awarded the IBM PC version its top endorsement, praising its advanced defensive capabilities and the graceful way it conceded unwinnable games. The Amiga edition was lauded for its outstanding visuals and intuitive interface, receiving a five-star rating from Info, which deemed it the premier AMIGA chess program. While the Commodore 64 variant nearly matched the Amiga’s features, it was critiqued for requiring input via algebraic notation.
According to Antic, Chessmaster 2000 outperformed rivals such as Colossus Chess and Odesta Chess; however, the Atari 8-bit release suffered from poor usability due to an indistinct 3D display, absence of a chess clock, and subpar controls. Bob Ewald of Space Gamer/Fantasy Gamer highlighted the game's effectiveness for both learning and competitive play.
This title was unique in becoming the only chess game to top the reader poll in Computer Gaming World, earning a score of 7.25/10. It was inducted into the magazine’s Hall of Fame in 1988 for maintaining consistently high ratings. Later, in 1996, it was ranked as the 46th-best computer game ever by the same publication.
On the commercial front, Chessmaster 2000 sold around 140,000 units, solidifying its position as a major product within the computer chess market.
External links
- Images of The Chessmaster 2000 package, manual, and screenshots from C64Sets.com
- Review in ANALOG Computing
- Review in ANALOG Computing
- Review in PC World
- Review in Family Computing