Pocket Grandmaster: The Program for Your PocketPC or PalmOS
While there are various online chess programs available for the Pocket PC, such as Pocket Fritz. Recently, however, it now has a formidable opponent: PocketGrandmaster by Kai Skibbe and Frank Schneider.
Pocket Grandmaster is the updated version of Gromit chess for Pocket PC/Win CE, a popular award-winning online chess program for desktop computers. The software contains all the features you are looking for in a chess program while there are some missing features. You have an option from two varying board layouts, a couple of superior chess engines, three opening books, and nice chess pieces.
The game provides various predefined levels for both novice and expert players, but provides more choices for setting up your own tournament. Games can be loaded and saved in the usual .pgn format so that you can look for internet databases for interesting games.
At first, you might find it hard to understand how the game works because it's unlike other software. However, given a few more games, you can get used to the game. Pocket Grandmaster offers an auto save function. You can evaluate a game in two player mode or get some tips by competing against a chess engine.
In addition, PGM provides a "one-click-move." This option makes it possible to preview the best possible move for the selected figure. The game likewise lets you set up boards as well as ponder advanced moves, provide details about thinking processes, and includes adjustable hashtable sizes.
The disadvantage of PGM, though, is that it has no training option. You cannot highlight the distance you can reach with a figure, depending on the available squares. Other online chess programs gives clues about improper or not-so-good move, or makes incorrect moves to show proper strategies. However, the program is still relatively new and is still a work in progress. Work is underway for the addition of a Trainer Level in the succeeding versions.
Chess software that is popular nowadays is Chess Tiger for PalmOS. The updated version of the software was running on an Athlon 1200MHz. It emerged on top of the 2001 SSDF list with a ranking of 2715 ELO, besting other programs like Deep Fritz, Junior 7 and Shredder 5.32 using the same hardware.
The Palm version of Chess Tiger uses a similar chess engines as the PC version. However, the Palm version is more sophisticated than the PC Version.
Whether it's on your Palm or PocketPC, PGM is the best chess program for you.
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