I have nothing new to say since you asked the question 18 months ago, other than to say keep harrassing AI Factory. 
Still looking for my kind of chess software for the PC
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May 29, 2016
0
#2
Maybe ChessKing?
ChessBase is a chess database. Arena is nothing similar, as far as I know. Don't even have a position tree.
Arena is mostly used to run engine vs. engine games. To test engines and opening books and the like.
You might try "Tarrasch", which you can download at: http://www.triplehappy.com/
It's a GUI with a few engines you can choose from, including Stockfish if you're so inclined. Sounds like you'd prefer "Tarrasch Toy Engine". It's rated around 1500 I think -- I like to (try to) play blindfold against it.
You go to Options/Engine to pick it.
Can I change boards here? I saw something about them having a 3D board, but no idea how to access it. I don't even care about 3D, just something better than the basic one.
I only use Fritz. It's not that hard to use and you can always find info of how to use it on the net and YouTube. You can set it at handicap where it will match your playing strength. Fritz also chats to you during the game which can be fun. Also you practically have a GM to analyse your game afterwards. The database is fantastic and you can find millions of games to play through as you take a walk through chess history. Just buy the basic one and it will be inexpensive. Or just ignore me and buy something else ; )
I figured out how to select the 3D Staunton board here, so things are better now. I'm playing at level 3 and winning. 
I'd prefer a 2D Staunton board like this, but this one will do, and it's free, after all. 
Not sure if anyone will still see this thread, but I'm still looking for some actual software like this, to buy a disk of, so when the internet goes down, I'll still be able to play on the PC.
Oct 29, 2017
0
#11
MamaBear2014 wrote:
Not sure if anyone will still see this thread, but I'm still looking for some actual software like this, to buy a disk of, so when the internet goes down, I'll still be able to play on the PC.
People have made many suggestions to you over the last 3 years, but it sounds like you still want Chessmaster. You originally complained of the "crashiness" of Chessmaster, yet I can't remember Chessmaster ever crashing on me. Did you install the patches that were available for Chessmaster? If not, that might be the reason for your crashes.
BTW, which version of Chessmaster do you have?
Edit - Nevermind, I just re-read the OP's similar thread from 3 years ago, and I was starting to go down the same road as before. :) In my humble opinion, the OP is wanting perfection, and as of the present, it simply doesn't exist.
I used Chessmaster for years, liked the 2D wood grain board, but didn't like the crashiness. Didn't care for Fritz - too hard to use, and didn't have the level settings of Chessmaster.
I'd actually like something similar to the functionality of Chessmaster, with nice 2D boards, but runs well? Sort of like the software that Chessmaster SHOULD have been?
I'm currently using, and LIKE, the registered paid version of the Chess Free app on my LG G5 but don't have anything on the PC. I've asked, and AI Factory said they were coming out with a PC version, but that was like 2 years ago, and I still don't see anything from them for PC.
I'm only an intermediate player, by the way, so I don't need "the most powerful engine" or anything like that. I think my rating would be around 1200, but I like playing fast informal games against the computer.
PS: I liked the 2D Staunton sets best, in Chessmaster, with the wood grain board and realistic looking pieces. I hate the simple chess notation pieces that most of these sets have.