Plays a fine game of chess
It might be lacking in the visual flash of the likes of Battle Chess and Combat Chess but Chessmaster 200 has got it where it counts and that's under the hood. Although somewhat crude visually and sonically, the game offers an impressive computer AI and a decent set of options which combine to create a great simulation of this most classic of games which is suitable for both beginners and veterans alike. The rules of the game itself need not be explained but rest assured if you're taking on Chessmaster 2000, you can expect a tough ride (unless you tweak the settings of course) and this is perhaps where its appeal really lies as the computer opponent is highly sophisticated (especially given its age) and will put up a good fight even for old hands, playing both offensively and defensively with equal aplomb. The range of options on display make it just as appealing for newcomers though, so if you're not an expert but are interested in picking up chess, then this game is also for you. The visuals are simple enough, with none of the amusing or complex death animations that later games would bring to the table but those get tedious pretty quickly so what you're left with here is simply an extremely fine game which does exactly what you need it to and no more. You can however switch between 2D and 3D if you want but it's perhaps easier to stick with the 2D perspective as it makes planning your moves a bit easier. The interface is straightforward enough to pick up and really if you're looking for a new chess simulator then you can't go far wrong with this one.
