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Chessmaster 5000
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<h2 id="gameplay">Gameplay</h2> <p><i>Chessmaster 5000</i> uses a 32-bit chess engine and can be optimized for stronger play if used with a <a href="/facts/Pentium/czINY469">Pentium</a> chip. The computer opponent can adopt over 70 different styles of famous <a href="/facts/Grandmaster_(chess)/NalWpE97">grandmasters</a>. The player can also design their own style for the computer. The multiplayer supports <a href="/facts/Hotseat_(multiplayer_mode)/opoxlD4T">hotseat</a>, network, and online play.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> Included with the game are 20 tutorials and a 27,000-game chess database.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> <i>Chessmaster 5500</i> added voice instruction to the game.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> Included with the purchase of <i>5500</i> was a copy and free subscription to <i>Chessmaster Live</i>, an online game that was also available separately on the chessmaster.com website.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="reception">Reception</h2> ReceptionReview scores<table><tbody><tr><th scope="col">Publication</th><th scope="col">Score</th></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Computer_Games_Magazine/D0nYcC8v">Computer Games Strategy Plus</a></i></td><td>2.5/5 (<i>5000</i>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a>4/5 (<i>5500</i>, <i>Live</i>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Computer_Gaming_World/KKMYmFv7">Computer Gaming World</a></i></td><td>5/5<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/GameSpot/nknHJf2D">GameSpot</a></i></td><td>9.3/10 (<i>5000</i>, <i>5500</i>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/Joystick_(magazine)/jYYBnkf8">Joystick</a></i></td><td>84%<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Génération 4 [fr]</i></td><td>4/6 (<i>5000</i>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a>5/6 (<i>5500</i>)<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i><a href="/facts/PC_Joker/mJP8oyDv">PC Joker</a></i></td><td>76%<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a></td></tr><tr><td><i>Power Play [de]</i></td><td>81%<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19"><sup>19</sup></a></td></tr></tbody></table> <p><i>Chessmaster 5000</i> received generally positive reviews. In a 1995 comparison between 11 chess programs, <i><a href="/facts/Computer_Gaming_World/KKMYmFv7">Computer Gaming World</a></i> rated a pre-release version of <i>Chessmaster 5000</i> the highest.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20"><sup>20</sup></a> In a 1996 review, <i>Computer Gaming World</i> liked the quality of the computer opponents and the tutorials but disliked the <a href="/facts/MIDI/tblhmeFV">MIDI</a> music and the rating system. It was called "simply the best program ever designed for the mainstream chess player".<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21"><sup>21</sup></a> <i><a href="/facts/GameSpot/nknHJf2D">GameSpot</a></i> called <i>Chessmaster 5000</i> "the finest chess software I have ever used."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22"><sup>22</sup></a> Reviewing <i>Chessmaster 5500</i>, <i>GameSpot</i> said: "The worst thing you can say about Chessmaster 5500 is that you might not want to spend the bucks on it if you already own Chessmaster 5000 - but that's more of a comment on how outstanding the Chessmaster series is rather than a slam against the latest installment."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23"><sup>23</sup></a> In a comparison between four chess programs, <i><a href="/facts/PC_Joker/mJP8oyDv">PC Joker</a></i> rated <i>Chessmaster 5000</i> third behind <i><a href="/facts/Power_Chess/FjFj7JyQ">Power Chess</a></i> and <i>Mephisto Genius 3.5</i>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24"><sup>24</sup></a> <i><a href="/facts/Computer_Games_Strategy_Plus/D0nYcC8v">Computer Games Strategy Plus</a></i> criticized the lack of <a href="/facts/Portable_Game_Notation/kGwYcadB">PGN</a> support and described the database as "broken". The game was summarized: "If you just want a good chess playing program with lots of eye candy, Chessmaster 5000 will suit you fine. If you need a serious training partner, skip it and buy <a href="/facts/REBEL_(chess)/7eRyWc9P">Rebel 8</a> or <a href="/facts/Fritz_(chess)/yDNgsmhx">Fritz</a>."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:25" href="#fn:25"><sup>25</sup></a> <i>Computer Games Strategy Plus</i> gave a more positive review for <i>Chessmaster 5500</i>, which was said to fix bugs from the previous version although a few issues still remained.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:26" href="#fn:26"><sup>26</sup></a> <i>Computer Games Strategy Plus</i> also reviewed <i>Chessmaster Live</i>, an online game included with <i>5500</i>. It was said that "The program is simple to use and contains all the features needed to enjoy an on-line chess session."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:27" href="#fn:27"><sup>27</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/19970103070527/http://www.chessmasternetwork.com/chessmaster/chessmaster1.html">Official website</a> (archived)</li> <li><a href="https://www.mobygames.com/game/14/chessmaster-5000"><i>Chessmaster 5000</i></a> at <a href="/facts/MobyGames/ErGhXfX5">MobyGames</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.mobygames.com/game/60647/chessmaster-5500"><i>Chessmaster 5500</i></a> at <a href="/facts/MobyGames/ErGhXfX5">MobyGames</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"Test Express - Chessmaster 5500". Génération 4 (in French). No. 104. SARL Pressimage. November 1997. p. 256. Il s'agit plus d'une amelioration du Chessmaster 5000 que d'un jeu veritablement nouveau. <a href="https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-104/page/n255/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-104/page/n255/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Chessmaster 5000". Chessmaster.com. Mindscape. Archived from the original on 5 June 1997. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/19970605174924/http://www.chessmaster.com/" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/19970605174924/http://www.chessmaster.com/</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Coleman, Terry (September 1996). "Classics & Puzzles - Pawn to Infinity" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 146. Ziff Davis. pp. 159–160. <a href="https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Bosher, Monroe (23 August 1996). "Chessmaster 5000 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 5 February 1997. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Poole, Stephen (24 December 1997). "Chessmaster 5500 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 29 April 1999. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Poole, Stephen (24 December 1997). "Chessmaster 5500 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 29 April 1999. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Klimushyn, Chuck. "Chessmaster Live Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"Play Chess". Chessmaster.com. Mindscape. Archived from the original on 10 December 1997. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/19971210201813/http://www.chessmaster.com/play/play.htm" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/19971210201813/http://www.chessmaster.com/play/play.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Lackey, Jeff. "Chessmaster 5000 Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030704232750/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/058/chessmaster_5000_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030704232750/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/058/chessmaster_5000_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Lackey, Jeff. "Chessmaster 5500 Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030817052004/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/008/047/chessmaster_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030817052004/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/008/047/chessmaster_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Klimushyn, Chuck. "Chessmaster Live Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Coleman, Terry (September 1996). "Classics & Puzzles - Pawn to Infinity" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 146. Ziff Davis. pp. 159–160. <a href="https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Bosher, Monroe (23 August 1996). "Chessmaster 5000 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 5 February 1997. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Poole, Stephen (24 December 1997). "Chessmaster 5500 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 29 April 1999. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Seb (October 1996). "Test - Chessmaster 5000". Joystick (in French). No. 75. Hachette Disney Presse. p. 105. <a href="https://archive.org/details/joystick075/page/n103/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/joystick075/page/n103/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>"Test Express - Chessmaster 5000". Génération 4 (in French). No. 97. SARL Pressimage. March 1997. p. 148. <a href="https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-097/page/n147/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-097/page/n147/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>"Test Express - Chessmaster 5500". Génération 4 (in French). No. 104. SARL Pressimage. November 1997. p. 256. Il s'agit plus d'une amelioration du Chessmaster 5000 que d'un jeu veritablement nouveau. <a href="https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-104/page/n255/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/generation4-magazine-104/page/n255/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>Duy, Manfred (March 1997). "Strategie - 4 Neue Schachprogramme". PC Joker (in German). No. 3/97. Joker-Verlag. pp. 72–74. <a href="https://archive.org/details/pcjoker-februar-1997-images/page/n69/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/pcjoker-februar-1997-images/page/n69/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:19"><p>"Test - Chessmaster 5000". Power Play (in German). No. 10/96. Magna Media. October 1996. p. 104. <a href="https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1996-10/page/104/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/powerplaymagazine-1996-10/page/104/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:20"><p>Coleman, Terry Lee (November 1995). "Survey - The Game of Kings" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 136. Ziff Davis. pp. 278–290. <a href="https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_136.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_136.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:21"><p>Coleman, Terry (September 1996). "Classics & Puzzles - Pawn to Infinity" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 146. Ziff Davis. pp. 159–160. <a href="https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_146.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:22"><p>Bosher, Monroe (23 August 1996). "Chessmaster 5000 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 5 February 1997. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5000-review/1900-2538401/</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:23"><p>Poole, Stephen (24 December 1997). "Chessmaster 5500 Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on 29 April 1999. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/" target="_blank">https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/chessmaster-5500-review/1900-2538402/</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:24"><p>Duy, Manfred (March 1997). "Strategie - 4 Neue Schachprogramme". PC Joker (in German). No. 3/97. Joker-Verlag. pp. 72–74. <a href="https://archive.org/details/pcjoker-februar-1997-images/page/n69/mode/2up" target="_blank">https://archive.org/details/pcjoker-februar-1997-images/page/n69/mode/2up</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:25"><p>Lackey, Jeff. "Chessmaster 5000 Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030704232750/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/058/chessmaster_5000_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030704232750/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/002/058/chessmaster_5000_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:25" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:26"><p>Lackey, Jeff. "Chessmaster 5500 Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030817052004/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/008/047/chessmaster_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030817052004/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/008/047/chessmaster_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:26" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:27"><p>Klimushyn, Chuck. "Chessmaster Live Review". Computer Games Strategy Plus. theGlobe.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2003. Retrieved 27 May 2023. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20030817045810/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/007/064/chess_live_review.html</a> <a href="#fnref:27" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>