Best Chess Computer for Returning Player

Hello everyone, I am a new member here as of about 5 minutes ago

I am returning to Playing chess after about 10 years of not playing (big mistake). I am looking into getting a new Chess Computer to help me get back into the game. What I am looking for is one that can be beaten (at lower settings/levels) by a novice but is more challanging later on. The two that I have been looking at (which appear to be very challanging, so they cover part 2) are:

The Phantom Force

The Mephisto Master

1) Has any one used these, learned from them, started as a novice on them?

     They both appear to have easier settings but also appear to have good engines for later (especially the Master).

2) Also, I will primarily be using this in a University library between classes- what is the noise level like with the Phantom- can you turn of the robotic mechanism and use it like a normal chess computer?

3) Is there another Board, you would recommend instead?

4) Are there particular features you find helpful

5) Any other suggestions, tips, etc...

Thanks a lot!

Have you ever thought of Chessmaster 10th or 11th ed.?

Yes and no.

I use Linux so Chessmaster(A Windows program) will not run on my laptop(without some serious rigging- which I intend to try). I do intend to get Chessmaster for my Desktop at home but would like something for between classes (I was looking at art of learning- but also saw some negative reviews on it).

I love my Karpov Grandmaster which is made by Excalibur. It's a tournament sized board with real pieces, etc. It teaches you openings, you can play from either side, you can set up scenaria that Karpov dealt with... I find that real world play with actual pieces you can hold in your hand to be more valuable if you like playing others in the real world. It's the difference between playing poker in a smoke-filled room and a computer keyboard. 

Don't get me wrong. I like cyber chess and computer programs but the real feel is the real deal.

I've heard that chessmaster is a good program for learning. I think both Silman and Waitzkin feature on it,, and they are seen as being really good for beginner to intermediate players. However, your probably best getting advice from someone that has used different programs, rather than my random thoughts :)

 princetrumpet,the 3d against 2d is something that interests me. I've hardly ever played OTB, and when I do, I really struggle, it looks really weird. I've heard that some people use programs, and sites like this, but also set up a board, so that they keep their 3d skills as good as their 2d skills. Do you find it the opposite way around, do you struggle with the 2d boards?

Maradonna, I'm not a great player but I can say I that wear different hats with cyber chess and real time chess. I used to hate the symbols for the pieces and pawns on computers but got used to it after I got tired of losing. For me, it's about the vision of looking across a board, sitting on my hands so I don't block my view of my back row. Stupid, I know, but it's one of those lessons you learn after watching someone grab your queen because you had your elbows on the table and  hands under your chin and couldn't see the line of capture.

I've got a cyber equavilent to sitting on the hands - letting go of the mouse. With the hand on the mouse my brain is always screaming at me to do something with it, resulting in stupid, quick/bad moves. I always play better with my hand off the mouse :)

Here this what happen to me even in 2d ! I was so focus on where to put my queen and not seeing the opposing bishop ! lol

Chess Titans can be beaten easily by novices and is extremely difficult at high levels(I haven't even beat it there but then again I'm not to good.)I play at level 4 on it and it tends to be a close game.Plus it has really good graphics(not that it matters)

kco

...ah, caught by he ol' sneaky hidden-bishop. We've all been there :)

Alright, I found chessmaster for cheap at the store, I am going to try to get it to work using Wine on my Linux box, we'll see what happens (attempt one failed miserably!). If I can get it to install and run, I will post what I did for all of my fellow Linux nerds on Chess.com.

Fritz 10 is an older version and usually can be found 4 around $20.Its' analysis feature is far superior to chessmaster and also has strong master/grandmaster video lessons.It can of course be turned down to playable levels. 

I am certainly not against Fritz 10, I checked it out after reading your post- it looks nice. My concern is getting it to run on my computer. If I can get Chessmaster to work (which is proving to be a most horrible nightmare!!), things will look better for a more powerful software.

the phantom force is really good; I own it and have always been pleased with it.  The only problem is that to play it at a very high level you must wait about ten minutes for every move after the opening.

Is it loud? The main negative reviews that I have read about is the noise. I will probably be playing a lot in a University library.

 Shouldn't you be study rather than playing chess in the library ! lol

You can always use chess titans and play on the level you want to.But that is only if you have Windows Vista.

He he... Hey, I am a Graduate student in theoretical mathematics, after a certain number of hours of studying, your Brain turns to oatmeal and your eyes cross. The cure: play a good game to recharge!

Good excuse !

(Wheew, they bought it!)