Answers.Body: <p>I think a <strong>tactics trainer</strong> is definitely great to have. While there are many available online, having an offline tactics trainer is useful when I'm on the go.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-19T17:50:16.137Z
Answers.Text: Basically, one that gives you puzzles to solve?
Answers.UserDisplayName: Abdur Rahman
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-19T19:09:32.683Z
Answers.Text: An older version of CT-ART helped me go from ~1200 to ~1800 a couple years ago. I haven't tried the latest version yet, however: http://chessok.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_26_44&products_id=610
Answers.UserDisplayName: txizzle
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-20T14:07:00.773Z
Answers.Text: I would prefer free and open source software. I can not buy that, might find a crack though. ;)
Answers.UserDisplayName: Abdur Rahman
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-19T16:29:07.130Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2016-07-19T16:29:07.130Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: txizzle
Answers.Body: <p>In addition to the software listed, I would add the web site <a href="http://www.chessgames.com/" rel="nofollow">http://www.chessgames.com/</a> -- It has a setup that lends itself quite well to teaching you the things you'd learn from software:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>Game collections with a game viewer.</li>
  <li>Ability to comment on and read others' comments on games.</li>
  <li>A "guess the move" page to train on selecting the next move in some great historical chess games.</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>FULL DISCLOSURE - the site is "freemium" so although many features are free, you can if you choose sign up for their paid membership. I paid for it, but whether you do is up to you.</p>
  
  <p>Good luck.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2016-07-31T02:46:08.887Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2016-07-31T02:46:08.887Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: jrdevdba
Body: <p>What is the beginner's starter pack you would recommend for any chess enthusiast?</p>
  
  <p>I am not asking for any specific product just the general software category.</p>
  
  <p>For example I think everyone should have a:</p>
  
  <p><strong>chess engine</strong>,</p>
  
  <p>a <strong>graphical chess board</strong> (preferably one that supports XBoard and UCI protocol),</p>
  
  <p>and a <strong>chess database</strong> (like SCID).</p>
  
  <p>Anything, I am missing here?</p>
  
Tags: <software>
Title: Basic software for any chess enthusiast
ThreadText: # Basic software for any chess enthusiast
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2016-07-19)
  
  What is the beginner's starter pack you would recommend for any chess enthusiast?
  
  I am not asking for any specific product just the general software category.
  
  For example I think everyone should have a:
  
  **chess engine**,
  
  a **graphical chess board** (preferably one that supports XBoard and UCI protocol),
  
  and a **chess database** (like SCID).
  
  Anything, I am missing here?
  
  **Tags:** software
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2016-07-19. Score: 1
  
  I think a **tactics trainer** is definitely great to have. While there are many available online, having an offline tactics trainer is useful when I'm on the go.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Basically, one that gives you puzzles to solve?  
  > **username_1**: An older version of CT-ART helped me go from ~1200 to ~1800 a couple years ago. I haven't tried the latest version yet, however: http://chessok.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_26_44&products_id=610  
  > **username_0**: I would prefer free and open source software. I can not buy that, might find a crack though. ;)  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2016-07-31. Score: 1
  
  In addition to the software listed, I would add the web site <http://www.chessgames.com/> -- It has a setup that lends itself quite well to teaching you the things you'd learn from software:
  
  * Game collections with a game viewer.
  * Ability to comment on and read others' comments on games.
  * A "guess the move" page to train on selecting the next move in some great historical chess games.
  
  FULL DISCLOSURE - the site is "freemium" so although many features are free, you can if you choose sign up for their paid membership. I paid for it, but whether you do is up to you.
  
  Good luck.
  
  
  ---
  
  