Convekta software

There's no software subforum, so I guess posting under book and equipment makes the most sense.

I've been hearing good things about Convekta's CT-ART tactics training software for years, but I've always been content to do puzzles from books instead. I've recently discovered the joys of studying chess on a computer, which I very much prefer to books these days. I've been doing tactics puzzles at the usual web sites (emrald.net, chesstempo.com), but I know that doing puzzles that were chosen by a professional coach for their instructional value is better than just doing tons of random puzzles. So I've decided that I'll probably buy CT-ART for focused tactics puzzles.

Shopping around, I found that not only does Convekta's web site have the cheapest price I could find ($25), but they've also got big sales going on right now on some of their other items. For instance, their "Total Chess Training" packages that include 5 different programs are only $42.50 for download or $50 on DVD. The first of those comes with CT-ART, along with Encyclopedia of Opening Blunders, Encyclopedia of Middlegame, Strategy 2.0, and Studies 2.0. For that price, I'm considering getting that one. I can probably live without the opening blunders thing, but the others look potentially useful, especially the endgame studies, and the cost is only $17.50 more than buying CT-ART by itself.

So does anyone have any experience with any of these products? Any recommendations?

In case anyone else is considering buying any of these, I feel I should point out that I found several reviews stating that Convekta products don't work on Windows Vista. Also, the "Total Chess Training III" (if it's total, then why do they need 3 of them? ) seems like the best bet for beginners and low level players.

--Fromper

I used the CT-Art software fairly extensively. I went through all 1209 problems once. I repeated levels 10-40 (the first 821 problems) until I was very good at them. It's all chronicled at my old blog (thebackrank.blogspot.com). I am a 1700+ USCF rated player and found a good percentage of the level 40 problems challenging and the difficulty gets more above that.

These were my stats through level 80 the first time through the problems:

http://thebackrank.blogspot.com/2007/07/level-80-done.html

You should also be aware that as the problems get more difficult there are more flaws in the solution. Here is an account of all the errors I found in CT-Art:

http://thebackrank.blogspot.com/search/label/CT-Art%20errors

Frompter,

I used CT-Art a lot last year.  I really like the program and found myself repeating the first four levels (just like Loomis).  The program is different from the training here, in that you can really take your time to study complex positions without penalty and then play the position against the computer to see why your solution failed.

I also acquired Studies 2.0 and the Chess Endgame Training.  For me, Studies is awful HARD and I would not purchase it again or recommend it to others.  I am sure it is helpful for improving calculation ability, but it just didn't capture my attention like CT-Art.  However, I do like the CET as a way to train in a lot of different end games.  Unfortunately, it does not work on my main home computer (I guess due to Vista).  Grrrr.

Hmm... I'm in the 1500's USCF. Do you think CT-ART might be too difficult? Their web site says the "Total Chess Training" package that includes CT-ART is for ELO 1800-2400 players, but I've seen quite a few reviews on the internet from players as low as 1400ish who use CT-ART. The most famous, of course, is Michael de la Maza, writer of the "400 Points in 400 Days" article and "Rapid Chess Improvement" book, who used CT-ART at the core of his program and went from the 1300's to 1800's, IIRC. All these positive reviews on the internet are the reason I was looking at it. But do you think maybe I should start with the easier "Chess Tactics for Beginners" and work my way up to it instead? That seemed like it might be too easy, so I was going to skip it.

Also, I'm curious what people think of the other programs that come with CT-ART in that Total Chess Training package. If I'm spending $25 for CT-ART anyway, then the extra $17.50 to get the other 4 programs seems like a good deal if any of those other programs are even remotely worthwhile.

--Fromper

I don't know any of the other programs, but like you say, it's a good deal if even one out of the four are worthwhile. I personally would take the $17.50 gamble and see what those programs have to offer.

If you are 1500 USCF then CT-Art is not too difficult for you. In fact, you will find level 10 to be very easy. Though I have often gotten the advice from strong players to do many not difficult tactical problems as part of training.

My last post was a response to Loomis - hadn't seen Ratkins response yet.

I guess it makes sense that Studies 2.0 is so hard. After all, the term "studies" comes from endgame positions that masters spend time studying because they're so interesting. They aren't intended to be solved easily. That's the type of practice that masters do while working to become grandmasters, so it's probably way beyond us mere mortals. You like their Chess Endgame Training as a way to do intemediate level endgame practice, though?

Given that one of the sales on Convekta's web site right now is "buy 2, get 1 free", maybe I'll consider CT-ART and Chess Endgame Training, then look for a third to get for free, instead of doing the Total Chess Training thing, since I don't know if I really want the other programs in that. The middle game stuff still looks like it might have potential, though. But maybe I could do the Tactics for Beginners as the third program. They do have quite a few programs that look like they have potential.

--Fromper

Look on convekta's site. There are several free demos (not the full program but good) for the following:

Advanced Chess School

Opening Blunders

CT-Art

 2 End game programs

 2 Middle games

 Strategy

Try them out and see which speaks to you and maybe that will help you decide which to buy.

stwils

I tried clicking the links for demo versions of their software, but the link seems to be busted.

See if this works

ChessOK.com  (google it) then choose software. You will have to expand many of the programs to find those with a demo.

stwils

Ahh, cool. That works. I've been going through the shopping site (store.convekta.com), and the links to the demo page from there is broken. I already know I want CT-ART, but I'm downloading demos of Strategy 2.0 and the Encyclopedia of Middle Games just to see if those are worthwhile. Thanks, stwils!

--Fromper 

Just for fun, try Advanced Chess School. It includes an online "study" as does Strategy. 

stwils

I got a copy of Total Chess Training last month, but most of them

did not work on Vista 64. Only CT-ART works. If you have a new computer,

you should consider Complete Chess Training II and III. Since TCT II works

on Vista 64. They cover about the same areas with difference programs.

I bought TCT2. I like the tactics and endgame puzzle programs, which is really what I bought it for. The mating puzzle program is probably good, too, but I'd rather focus on more general puzzles instead of just mates, so I haven't done anything with that yet.

Fromper,

Are you running TCT2 on a Vista 64 system?  My system cannot run the Chess Endgame Training program, which looks like part of the TCT2 bundle.  If its working for anyone on a Vista 64 system, then I'll look a bit harder at my setup.

Nope, XP.

ratkins, on Vista-32 the tricks to getting older Convekta software to run are: (1) right-click on the program's icon, and in the program properties dialogue select to run in Windows XP backward-compatibility mode, (2) during installation disable Window's AUC (access user control) feature, (3) install as admin. These may or may not work for you on Vista-64, but they worked for me on Vista-32. Google is your friend for more details.

I also have Vista 64, and my total chess training I is not working.  I've tried compatibility mode.  Does anyone have any assistance they can offer??

I wonder if the new Peshk@ interface works with Vista 64. It is their new training program interface. Instead of having separate programs all the training courses are loaded as modules into the peshka interface. Unfortunately you have to pay to upgrade your old programs to the new module for peshk@. It is much nicer to look at than the old interfaces though.

it looks like a quiet forum... i'll post anyway... i your convekta software does not work .. maybe try opening it as administrator... this works for my "theory and practice of chess endings"

to people who know about computers... can this be bad for my computer??  before it opens.. windows asks if this unknown software can make changes to my computer... i just click yes!?!?