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Amsoft, £9.95 cass
Author: Intelligent Chess Software

The program comes packaged in the standard Amsoft Gold packaging inside which is your cassette and instruction manual. Although it's against most people s principles, reading the manual is a good idea. It provides something to do whilst the game loads. Tne manual is a small but compact leaflet explaining clearly the depths and limitations of the game.

Once loaded, the game has nine normal levels of play and three special ones. The first level gives the computer 2 seconds to make an answering move whereas level 9 allows 2 min-utes 30 seconds. Pressing the M key interrupts the computer and forces it to make the best move calculated at that point. One of the special levels provides a better method. It is called the adaptable method and calculates how long you spend decid-ing a move and then spends the same amount of time itself.
The other special levels are infinite and problem. On the infinite level, Cyrus only theorises until you tell it to stop and make a move (there are except-ions to this such as when only one legal move exists for the computer). On the problem level, the computer looks for a way to force checkmate in five moves or less.
The program supplies all the usual features such as analysis, retraction and replay of moves, hints and a demonstration
mode. But apart from the usual option to save the pame to either disk or tape, there is also a useful printer option. A serious chess player would be able to keep track of his progress without having to constantly load otd games.
There are two optional displays. One is the traditional algebraic notation and provides the standard plan view display. The other is the 3D aspect board, made so much of in the title. A small arrow is displayed on your move and you allocate the piece and new position with it. At the bottom of the screen is the chess clock so you can see your res-ponse time.

Control keys: cursor keys.

CRITICISM

To be honest, I'm not usually bothered about chess programs because basically, I'm not very good at the game. This one does appeal to me though. The 3D makes the actual game look attractive to play. And there's no problem setting up special levels or moves — It's all very well done. I can't honestly tell how much of a challenge it would provide for a good player as I can't even beat it on tne first level. If you have the slightest interest in chess, then get this. You could well end up an addict.

The game is very well presented and plays well. There is no doubt, in my mind that this is a powerful game. After a while I think a competent player would be winning most games on the first level. But I played the game on level 9 once, and the result was laughable. It took very little effort from the computer before even I could see doom approaching. Not a game to play again-st if you have an ego. Some of the 3D doesn't work too well but it's still of a pretty high standard overall. The animation is smooth and that goes to make this the best presented chess program on the Amstrad. The options available should suit players from total beginners to competent club level. An excellent game.

Although presentation was excellent in the 3D game, I thought it could have been better on areas like the options screen. This wasn't particularly bad in any way but it wasn't presented with any of the sophistication found in other parts of the program. More importantly however, the game itself was very good. It has all the options you really need without being dogged and unplayable as a result. The package is neat, uncomplicated and highly playable. The best I've seen to date.

Presentation 87% Good all round, but perhaps not outstanding when selecting options.

Graphics 88% The blue-white chess board and pieces work excellently on the 3D game.

Sound 5%
There is only an error buzz but the game requires no other sound anyway so this isn't a criticism.

Playability 90%
No problems are likely to be encountered.
Addictive qualities 85% Really depends on how much you like chess but the program will draw you back if you get into the game.

Value for money 89%
There are more expensive and less efficient chess games on the market.

Overall 90%
Well programmed and marvellously presented chess game.