PC Software?

I have a Windows 7 PC.  I'm not a newbie to the game but not really sure what would be a good general PC chess software for my computer for off line play.  Suggestions Please!

Thanks Mccallister, I'll check it out! 

I have ChessKing 2, Fritz 12, and HIARCS chess.  ChessKing is a lot of fun; you get to play agains Houdini full strength but with houdini missing pieces.  You start with all your pieces and Houdini with a K and pawns and move up a structured ladder.  Good for learning how to put away a strong opponent who's down material.

Fritz 12 has a colorful advisor and can be set for different strengths.  Not the easiest program to learn but quite powerful and there are a ton of videos around to show you how to use it (as there are for ChessKing and HIARCS as well).

HIARCS is my favorite.  There are about 100 common preset openings that you can practice against at any strength level.  It's weakness is that you can only use PGN databases so you're limited to about a million games in any one database.  Luckily it's a snap to change databases and there are a ton of PGN downloads.  It's also incredibly easy to filter whatever database is loaded for specific openings using ECO code.  In truth they all work just fine; I just happen to prefer HIARCS.  ChessKing is fun, Fritz can be loaded up with all kinds of free engines (I use Houdini 1.5), and HIARCS is easy to use and has a reputation of being the most human like opponent.

Have fun deciding.  I obviously couldn't. 

Great information ~ Thank you both very much for the posts!

I am using Arena, a free GUI from http://www.playwitharena.com/, which is very feature packed.  You can plug any UCI or Winboard engine into it.  I use Stockfish, a free Engine from http://stockfishchess.org/, that has been consistently scoring as one of the top engines out there.  Together, this makes for a great practice setup.

For opening practice, I've been using Chess Position Trainer, from http://www.chesspositiontrainer.com/index.php/en/.  It is a wonderful piece of training software that allows you to build your own database of positions to practice.  I have been entering the book openings I want to study for white and black into it, and it sets up a regular practice schedule to ask me to make my book moves as it chooses the different options for the opponent color.

Finally, I use a tactics trainer to get my tactical vision up and an endgame practice to work on that follow through.  I've been using mobile programs (smart phone) and websites for these mostly.  Chess.com has some good tactics, but I also like to take my time and think them out, where I get much better success rate.  I don't know of good PC programs for these outside just setting stuff up in the GUI+Engine and playing from there, but it's nice to have a database to pull randomly from for practice.  I believe you might be able to use CPT for this as well, but I haven't taken the time to figure out the setup yet.

You're not alowed to use chess software and engines to aid you during a game. There's no rule against using Fritz(or any other software) to train or analyze finished games.

Thanks again for all the help & information!

I just ordered a copy of Chess King 3 Max Playing and Analysis Software.

Looked to be a good starting place at a good price.

The interface of CPT always scares me away. It looks so complicated. 

You can use Lucas Chess that gives you some tactics to practice. It also has some other useful features for training.

You can find a tactics trainer here on chess.com's download page: http://www.chess.com/download/view/yatt--yet-another-tactics-trainer 

I'm using SCID vs PC with Stockfish & Houdini engines. Its free, high quality & there is an excellent tutorial on youtube to get you started. Gameplay is excellent (unlike the chess.com Java computer) & its great for analysis & annotating games as well.

Yes Sir, I have attended OTB games in my area in the past.  My wife is legally blind now and it is harder for me to get out and play OTB games now.  :(

The best chess software is real OTB chess.

lol

Not everyone has the ability to play over the board.

is there any limit to the amount of money you will spend on software?

also if you could get some specs on your pc you could find which engine would work better

really? I am in OTB tourneys and am not that good

Hmm, I'm sure you could beat this one...

wow looks dificult lol

I just got my Chess King 3 Max software in the mail this afternoon.  Set up went real smooth and WoW their is tons of stuff.  Looking at the online videos to help lean all the Chess King has to offer!  Very Happy! 

So how do you feel about the software now that you're three months in?

Sure, I'm curious too.  Oh, and you know how in training mode you can go to Chess Puzzles?  Did they ever upgrade to show the answer or does it still just say "wrong"?  OK, it does show a line where your response doesn't work, but my CK2 doesn't give answers.  Fun program though...