Chess Software Sourcebook: A Comprehensive Guide to Selecting & Using Chess Software

Chess Software Sourcebook is the is the first book to focus exclusively on the latest chess-related computer programs. Several chapters review in detail the various types of software available, as well as the pros and cons of commercial programs in each category. Feature comparison tables help you decide which software best matches your specific needs, and screen shots show the graphical interface for each program. Playing live chess over the Internet (including its addictive tendencies!) is also discussed. Other chapters cover opening study, computer handicapping, game analysis, and time-saving tips so you can get the most out of the software you own or plan to purchase.

Robert Pawlak earned his doctorate in electrical engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He writes computer code in several programming languages and understands the relationship between complex computer software and hardware. He returned to chess in the early 1990s after a long hiatus. Living in a rural area with no access to chess clubs or coaches, he turned to his computer and the Internet to improve his game. In 1996, he began to maintain a Web site (the Chess Widower's Home Page) with reviews of the chess-related software and hardware he had purchased. Almost immediately, he began to receive via e-mail praise for his page and questions about the software he reviewed. He has answered questions about chess software since then, and decided to compile a book addressing the most common issues raised by chess players around the world seeking to improve their game by using a computer.