September 9, 2003 – From hundreds of new software titles rigorously tested by Parenting’s technology and children’s software experts, Learn To Play Chess With Fritz & Chesster was selected as a winner of the magazine’s prestigious “Software of the Year” awards, featured in the October 2003 issue.

Fritz, Bianca and Chesster are back in a new chess adventure! Jump into chess action to rescue Chesster from deep within the walls of King Black's Castle in Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2, "Chess in the Black Castle." You'll have lots of fun learning move by move about openings, middle game strategy and tactics, endgames, pinning, delivering check, attacking, protecting - and much more.

Try out over 20 mini games within the game to practice what you've learned and see if you can get into the high score. Chesster, the most amazing Chesshire rat-chess coach, is always ready with lots of tips on strategy and tactics! Fun

Coaching and Training: Basic openings Bull-head opening King's Gambit Fool's mate and scholar's mate Middle game (tactics) Attack and protect The pin Forks and skewers Distraction Square rule Key squares.

Learn how to note down games just like the experts. Also print games out, save them, reload them and play them again another time! Choose your own opponent, but whatever you decide, Chesster will always be at the ready with useful tips and pointing out the best moves and positions. Great games, testing tasks, and chess commentary will make sure you never get bored. In fool's mate and scholar's mate Fritz and Bianca find out what not to do! And lots more!

Fun Coaching and Training:

Opening

• Basic openings
• Bull-head opening
• King's Gambit
• Fool's mate and scholar's mate

• Attack and protect
• The pin
• Forks and skewers
• Distraction

• Square rule
• Key squares

For ages 8 and up

System requirements: Multimedia PC: Pentium II 233 processor, 32 mb ram (16 mb free memory), 16 bit soundblaster compatible sound card, 16x speed CD-Rom Drive, Graphics card 800 x 600 (16 bit color), Win 98/ME/XP

Computing With Kids gives Fritz & Chesster 2 a five-star rating. "If your children already know the basics and want to hone their chess skills, turn to the newly-released Learn to Play Chess with Chesster and Fritz 2. Continuing the interactive adventure format of the first title, King Black is back, causing trouble. This time he has trapped Prince Fritz, Bianca, and Chesster in his dungeon. They can escape only after winning a series of chess-training arcade games that teach specific chess openings, middle game tactics, and endgame moves. Before this adventure is over, kids will have explored 21 challenging activities, including navigating through a swamp to learn chess notation."

This in-depth review starts with the following description: When I was a young chess player, my training consisted of quick matches with my Dad, when he had time at night. Mostly, I was left alone with a manual that read like stereo instructions to a kid just progressing past "Dick and Jane" periodicals. Still, I tried and got a good foundation for the game. But, if you don't have such time, or still get stuck in spite of having the "instructions" with you - what then? Viva Chess created "Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster" last year and it was a huge success for the young generation of sprouting young Grand Masters (to be). This year, they have followed up that game with the sequel - amazingly called "Learn to Play Chess with Fritz and Chesster 2." The game is more original than the title...

Sunday Express

In the Sunday Express Luke McShane describes his experience with the program.