User Reviews (11 - 21 of 25)

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What a find!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: September 01, 2005
Author: Amazon User

My kids loved the first Fritz and Chesster chess CD. They were just as pleased with the second. Although they're recommended for ages 8 and up, there is minimal reading involved, making it appropriate for even our 5 year old. I know nothing about chess, but this works to make it accessible to my kids, despite my ignorance. Highly recommend!

Great art and quirky sensibility

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 5
Date: January 20, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My four-year-old son loved the first Fritz and Chesster so much I just had to get the second. I would have gotten the third installment as well, but it appears to require a DVD-Rom and more up-to-date software than he has on his computer (I suggest you always review those details before buying). Like the first, this second installment has the same quirky and artistic sensibility and lots of amusing details that keep me as interested in it as he is.

The first one seemed a lot more "British" than this one. Just one example: in the first installment, the pawns are often depicted as English villagers with low-brow accents. In this installment they are more often Texas ranchers... There were also numerous Britishisms in the first installment that were tough to understand for a child. This one is thankfully free of them. I suppose the American audience proved more lucrative than the original designers had expected....

I think the suggested age is more 6-or-above (they really should be able to read, I suppose), but with a little help even a younger child (such as my son) can get into most of the exercises and spend time with it. There are several more advanced features in this one than in the first installment. Here the focus is on basic tactics, openings, and endgame situations. So a child should really have made it through the first one before getting this. He absolutely has to know all the rules, for instance -- the second installment is not going to teach them. The first also has some wonderful exercises with just pawns or kings on the board, for instance, that have much to teach. And some fun games like a maze with a monster chasing you (to teach the rook moves) or a cannon that fires diagonally (to teach the bishop). Some of the games here (which resemble early video games, like space invaders) are a little too advanced for a four-year-old's manual dexterity....perhaps for a six-year-old's as well. But there are many things he can get into nonetheless, especially if you take the time to explain things and get them started.

Overall, I'd say that if you want to give a child an introduction to the game, nothing beats the first Fritz and Chesster. Other chess teaching video games are much darker and less helpful, really, for beginners. And if he or she likes the first installment (which is also very girl-friendly), then by all means advance to the second -- especially for kids over 6.

Fun way to learn basic chess tactics and strategies

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: December 03, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2, continues where the first CD left off. Like the first CD, this program may take some guessing regarding what exactly is one supposed to do, and clicking on the crown in the upper right corner helps to navigate through the game.

This program is really good for grasping the basic tactics and strategies because your progress is measured and you have to develop certain skill proficiency before moving to higher level and learning more tactics and strategies.

The CD covers some popular opening moves, middle game tactics like pins, forks, skewers and deflection, and mating strategies in end game. With practice on this CD, you can begin to win some games, and then move on to Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 3, which is out in German, and is supposed to be out soon in English.

Great program, however

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: March 31, 2008
Author: Amazon User

this is a great product, my kids (5 and 7) love it. They have learned a lot from it. All the positives and negatives about F and C from other reviews are spot on.

The only thing I did not see anyone mention was the dialogue itself. I try to be careful with what my kids watch and I was a bit disappointed that this product uses "stupid" "shut-up" "idiot" all words I try to avoid. It is unnecessary and just frankly rude. Comments like these happen pretty frequently between the characters and I cringe every time I hear it. My kids have been told if they repeat what they hear, they cannot play the game anymore so it hasn't been a problem, but I thought I would at least warn parents of younger kids.

Don't Call It Chess If The Characters Aren't Actual Chess Figures

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 8
Date: January 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I have 7 and 9 year old boys that play chess. They are also both very computer savy. I bought this program to buff up their chess playing skills and stategy, but they say they find it boring and don't think it has anything to do with playing chess because the game pieces and boards look nothing like the traditional game pieces. The characters are very difficult to identify and confusing, they are cartoon renditions dressed up in costumes. I'd save your money and look for a better chess program or get your child involved in an actual chess club.

great product

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: January 15, 2006
Author: Amazon User

we have number 1 and now this one
very recommended
my kids plays hours with it

Powerful training games

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 07, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Although this game maybe aimed for kids, it can still offer powerful training games in an entertaining way. Each assorted machines is like an arcade that trains each tactical aspects individually. Such as blind Chess, eye-training, memory training of chess positions are most notable that separates it from the other beginner chess training programs.

The only thing I hate bout this game is the lack of options. You can't log off to a different username without having to shutdown the program first then relog nor can you delete usernames. No BGMs (backgroundmusic)during chess matches.

Other than that, its an awesome tactical training tool. Kids really do love to play this game and is one of the best games out there that can get them into playing Chess. I think Chess can be a beneficial contribution to school learning and thinking process.

Excellent product for kids

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: August 09, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is an excellent product for kids. My kid loves to learn with this software. I had issues installing this product. Other than installation issues, it has been excellent. We are having fun now!

I will recommend this title for kids starting on chess!

Good product, but ...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: November 04, 2007
Author: Amazon User

My kids love the Fritz and Chester II and it is difficult for me to get them off the computer. But one problem is that they are so addictive to it that they now don't have enough time for their study and piano. The software teaches some good strategies which are good for beginners.
My biggest complaint is that you can not back up the CD because it is encrypted and protected. This means that if you scratch the CD which happens very often, you have to buy new CD.

Great for my child

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: October 30, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This is a great product for my 8 year old. He finds it entertaining and the game just comes naturally to him.
Love every aspect of it and would highly recommennd to any parent who would like computer games that really do something for your chid's brain.

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