The best chess software to learn chess depends on the learner’s level of knowledge. But there is some straightforward advice to make a good choice on what chess software to use.

If you are new to chess, start with a carefully chosen chess software program for the beginner which will cover all the rules, basic strategies and tactics. There are plenty of good programs to choose from later that will help you build in this initial knowledge.

You should have chess software that

1. Teaches you all the rules and much more.

2. Let’s you play against the computer and practice what you learn

Surprisingly it’s hard to find a chess software program that does both well. So it’s usually best to find two separate programs that complement each other. This way you’ll maximize your learning experience as well as your playing experience.

A clever combination of training and playing softwarewill yield the best results. Here’s some advice… [full article here]

Now here's a set to brag about. Hand crafted by Italian master craftsmen of solid Brass and specially processed wood these chess set pieces are finished in Brass 24kt Gold and Silver. Wood composed of a hundred colorful layers for a unique finish.

Parents, especially homeschoolers are turning to games that invest in their kid's minds while they are young and impressionable. With all the video and PC games out there creating such short attention spans, there has to be a balance.

Heather Gneco, wife and mom to four wonderful kids, chose the Home Chess Learning Kit to help her kids learn chess and get involved in a game that was not only classic and fun, but would help them in their learning ability.

Heather who writes on homeschool education writes.

Besides the solid, educational chess DVD in the chess kit, is a long lasting, durable, and club chess set.

Now parents that school their kids in public, private school, or home, are able to give their children a meaningful gift that sharpens their mind with chess learning, and the all purpose chess set they can play with their friends, at school, or the family at home.

Scholastic chess in Northwest Washington is a popular family activity. Watch this video, shot during a local scholastic event at the fairgrounds, showing the fun, value, and excitement for kids and parents.

Randy Keach is a respected, local chess facilitator and organizer dedicating a lot of his time to helping kids enjoy chess. In fact he organized the first tournament I EVER played in when I was about 8 years old.

Watch Randy, kids, and parents during this event talk about why they love the game. Randy's very helpful website Northwest Washington Scholastic Chess has very helpful information about scholastic chess

Checkmate! from ENW with Deb Slater on Vimeo.

The new Pocket Fritz 3 is amazing. If you own a phone or pda with Windows Mobile you can get the most robust and powerful chess software to play, train, and study with you wherever you go.

Pocket Fritz 3 will be available at ChessHouse.com very soon. You can read about its features and view more screen shots of Pocket Fritz 3 on the ChessBase.com website.

When playing a casual game of chess over several days, finding a place to leave the board displayed and accessible can often be a challenge.

Straight Up Chess has found a way to combine beauty and functionality with exquisitely framed chess boards that hang on the wall. Clear acrylic shelving holds the chess pieces, much like a high end demonstration board.

Customers “build” their boards by choosing from an array of fine woods such as cherry, walnut and black maple, and adding a frame such as antique bronze or black flake. They can use their own pieces or choose from the excellent assortment provided.

Time clocks are not an issue when you play on a Straight Up Chess Board. As you pass by you make your move, mark it with the “last move” marker and continue on your way. Later, your opponent passes by, makes their move and marks it as “last move”. Playing vertically can be a bit of a challenge in the beginning, but it only takes 5 or 6 moves to get used to the new angles.

The Straight Up Chess Boards can be used effectively at home, the office or even at school, providing both eye-catching art and a fun distraction during the day.

For more information visit www.straightupchess.com

Bring a little New York City into your backyard with a concrete chess table from Concrete Classics. A welcome feature of New York City parks for over 60 years, these tables are built by skilled artisans to withstand the elements.

Sitting 32" tall, the tables have a 16"x16" chessboard within a 32"x32" tabletop. The chessboard is made with green and white terrazzo tiles held together by a brass inlaid border.

Originally designed with a fixed base for the New York City parks department, the tables are now also available in a freestanding version, ideal for any outdoor space. You can also purchase concrete stools to make the chess table transition easily from gaming surface to picnic table.

For pricing and further information, visit http://concrete-classics.com

Rybka 3 is today's top chess software with an ELO rating of well over 3000. Known for it's human-like playing characteristics. Friendly ChessBase style chess playing interface makes it fun for all chess players.

It leads easily in all computer rating lists. Now it is available in the dramatically improved version 3.0 and under the ChessBase-Fritz interface. It includes exciting new analysis functions you will not find in other programs. Great visuals. PC only.

The author of Rybka, Czech/American International Master Vasik Rajlich, has implemented an extraordinary understanding of dynamic factors into his program. This often results in long-term pawn or exchange sacrifices and an active positional playing style resembling human chess. Rybka scores well in all types of situations but dominates especially in asymmetric positions which arise for example in Sicilian Defences. The success of the program stems from dedicated team work: IM Iweta Rajlich is the main tester; Jeroen Noomen contributes opening theory and tournament preparation; IM Larry Kaufmann develops positional evaluation algorithms.

Today the main use of chess software is in interactive analysis. Rybka’s superior playing strength helps you to quickly assess a position. But analysis with Rybka 3 is much more than evaluations and best moves. In the user interface designed by ChessBase, Rybka 3 introduces several ground-breaking new analysis features: Rybka 3 with ChessBase Interface

This is what the program will look like. It's very user friendly.

You can customize many appearance options to 3D, etc as well.

Learn more about Rybke 3 ChessBase version here