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CT-ART 3.0
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CTART 3.0 for Win95/98/NT
Reviewed in 1999
This is a windows program for learning/testing chess tactics only,
from the makers of Chess Assistant. The manual says that this program
is meant for novice to intermediate players, with some challenges for
advanced players. Well, this may be true in Russia, but I guarantee
that novices in the US will be very challenged with the material. I
think that the program is most suited for players with a USCF rating
of 1200+. There is significant overlap with Maxim Blokh's book
(this is good in a way - you can go to a specific position from the
book by entering it's number), but there are many more positions
in the program than there are in the book (~1250 unique positions,
which can have colors reversed, and side to move switched - so you
really have many more test positions). The ability to switch colors
and side to move is a neat concept. You'd be surprised at how
different problems look in this context.
You can access the positions in one of four ways:
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By problem number
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By tactical method - Removing the defender, distraction, etc.
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By tactical motif - Overloaded piece, weak square, etc.
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By difficulty level - Here you pick and ELO range
The program just includes quiz positions without any instructional
text. So, if you do not know basic tactical techniques, then you
should probably start with Chess Mentor, or the TASC tutors.
If you already own CT-ART 2.0 for DOS, the windows version will give
you a few dozen more exercises. The crafty engine is also included for
checking variations that might not have been explored in the test
positions. The program can also interface to a number of external
engines (see list below). ELO tracking has also been added, so that
you can evaluate your increasing (hopefully!) tactical ability.
The bottom line: I think this program belongs in just about
everyone's library. I have heard that a number of chess
instructors swear by M. Blokh's book. The material in the program
is nearly identical, but there are even more positions. It presupposes
a certain amount of basic tactical knowledge on the part of the user,
and is not suitable for those that have not mastered these ideas.
Intermediate to advanced level players will definitely experience
significant brain strain on some of the more difficult problems. If
you don't already have M. Blokh's book, then this program is
definitely a good investment. Even if you do, it might be nice to have
for the extra examples and board/analysis/testing facilities on harder
problems. Also, additional categories and themes have been added to
the program that are not in the book.
Copy protection
CD-based refueling
Strengths:
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Many variations are pre-analyzed in complex tactical positions
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Two chess engines are built-in (Crafty and Dragon), for playing out
solutions that may not be examined in the exercise. However, I find
that if I need this feature, then I probably missed a real cheapo.
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You can call other chess-playing programs with it's EPD export
facility. These include: Hiarcs, Rebel, Genius, MChess Pro, or any
program that supports EPD import.
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The program is good for coaches - it keeps track of results (time
and score) on every test position under a student
name
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The program has a sort of 'rate-my-play' feature that can
be used to evaluate your progress. It provides a bar graph of your
estimated ELO based on your success or failure on exercises.
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A small 5x5 board is provided as help in some tests, giving the
pattern hidden in a combination. I really like this approach. It
helps reinforce key patterns
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Help is given in progressive increments - i.e. the first mistake
pops up an indication of the pieces involved, the geometrical
pattern involved in the combination, important squares, etc. More
specific hints are given when more mistakes are made, including the
piece to move.
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Many of the problems have a study-like quality to them, and many of
the positions are double-edged
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Multiple languages are supported: English, Italian, Spanish, German
and of course, Russian.
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Key variations are presented in a window to the right of the board.
Clicking on a move in a particular variation allows you to navigate
through the problem. This is nice for reviewing a variation you had
some trouble with previously.
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A test mode allows you to review material you have already covered
- you can do this for problems you did well or poorly on, or you
can be tested on new material, easy or hard problems, etc.
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The program has many possible ways of presenting material for
tests. Key patterns are presented from both the white and black
sides (i.e. mirror imaged). This aids calculation ability.
Weaknesses
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The program is not suitable for weaker players - no instruction is
given on basic tactical elements
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I had some trouble with buttons not appearing in the course
navigator window. This is kind of troublesome for the new user,
because it makes it harder for him/her to navigate the exercises.
As far as I can tell, this only ocurs when you use large fonts for
your windows display properties.
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I noticed that I had scored over 100% in some categories (!). Maybe
there is something I don't understand in the scoring process...
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There is no way to enforce a time limit on tests. In fact, time is
not used as an indicator when the program evaluates test
performance. It is recorded however, and available for later
review.
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When using crafty as the analysis engine, there is no principle
variation and move score displayed (as there is for dragon). This
makes it harder to see who is better in some positions.
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