Editing Chessmaster (section)

== Reception ==
The combined sales of the ''Chessmaster'' series had reached 1 million copies by September 1996.<ref name="sales2">{{Cite magazine |last=Coleman, Terry |date=September 1996 |title=Pawn to Infinity |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1996&pub=2&id=146 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |issue=146 |pages=159, 160}}</ref> The series surpassed 5 million units in sales by 2002, making it the highest-selling computer chess series ever at the time.<ref name=ignnews>{{cite web | author=IGN Staff | date=5 December 2002 | title=Who's the Master? | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040207024418/http://ps2.ign.com/articles/379/379423p1.html | url=http://ps2.ign.com:80/articles/379/379423p1.html | archive-date=7 February 2004 | work=[[IGN]] | access-date=22 July 2018 | url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1989, ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' found ''Chessmaster 2100''{{'}}s features "the clear winners" over ''[[Sargon 4]]'',<ref name="wagner198909">{{Cite magazine |last=Wagner |first=Roy |date=September 1989 |title=Chessmaster 2100 vs. Sargon 4 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1989&pub=2&id=63 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |pages=20–21 |access-date=2017-11-17}}</ref> in 1992 reported that ''Chessmaster 3000'' had added "a lot" to its predecessors, with new tutorial features and a variety of computer opponents making the game "a truly impressive sequel",<ref name="carter199208">{{cite news | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1992&pub=2&id=97 | title=Software Toolworks' Chessmaster 3000 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | author=Carter, Tim | date=August 1992 | access-date=3 July 2014 | pages=42–43}}</ref>
and in 1994 approved of ''Chessmaster 4000 Turbo''{{'}}s new AI "personalities" based on historical chess players.<ref name="coleman199401">{{Cite magazine |last=Coleman |first=Terry |date=January 1994 |title=The Ultimate Gambit |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=114 |magazine=The Ultimate Gambit |pages=42, 44, 46}}</ref> ''4000 Turbo'' received a perfect 10 out of 10 score from ''[[GamePro#PC Games|Electronic Entertainment]]''.<ref name=e2>{{cite journal | title=''Chessmaster 4000 Turbo'' | author=Brenesal, Barry | journal=[[GamePro#PC Games|Electronic Entertainment]] | date=March 1994 | volume=1 | number=3 | pages=88, 89 }}</ref>

In Japan, ''[[Famitsu]]'' magazine scored the 1991 Super Famicom version of the game a 23 out of 40,<ref>''New Games Cross Review - チェスマスター''. Weekly Famitsu. No.323. Pg.39. 24 February 1995.</ref> and the 1994 Game Boy version a 21 out of 40.<ref>NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: チェスマスター. Weekly Famicom Tsūshin. No.307. Pg.40. 4 November 1994.</ref>

Critical reaction to the ''Chessmaster'' series has been mostly positive. [[GameSpot]] commented that "''Chessmaster'' has remained the consummate standard in console chess games since the '80s."<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/mobile/puzzle/chessmaster/review.html Chessmaster mobile review], GameSpot, 15 June 2004</ref> [[IGN]] said that "the series itself remains the best way to play and learn about chess on the PC."<ref name="ign10th">[https://web.archive.org/web/20040828012152/http://pc.ign.com/articles/542/542613p1.html Chessmaster 10th Edition review], IGN, 26 August 2004</ref>

''Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition'' scored positive reviews, with [[PC Gamer]] saying: "this one-stop shop for an entire chess-playing and learning family should last until you're all grandmasters."<ref>PC Gamer, Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition review, April 2008, p.64</ref> ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' holds an 84% rating on review aggregator site [[GameRankings]].<ref>[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/921361.asp?q=chessmaster Chessmaster 10th Edition], [[GameRankings]]</ref> IGN gave ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' a score of 8.4/10, calling it "the best chess game in town."<ref name="ign10th"/> GameSpot's review of ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' said, "If you're looking for a good chess program that's packed with a plethora of features and all the bells and whistles, you'll be very happy with ''Chessmaster 10th Edition''.<ref name="gspot10th">[http://www.gamespot.com/pc/puzzle/chessmaster10thedition/review.html Chessmaster 10th Edition review], GameSpot, 7 September 2004</ref>

The [[mobile games|mobile phone]] version of ''Chessmaster'' received a score of 9/10 from IGN, who called it "an absolutely superlative product that will be enjoyed for week after week by fans of the mental contest."<ref>[http://wireless.ign.com/articles/528/528908p1.html Chessmaster mobile review] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090121023207/http://wireless.ign.com/articles/528/528908p1.html |date=21 January 2009 }}, IGN, 7 July 2004</ref> IGN criticized the Nintendo DS version of ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning'' for its lack of multiplayer, but gave it an overall positive review, with a score of 7.8/10.<ref>[http://ds.ign.com/articles/839/839557p1.html Chessmaster: The Art of Learning - DS review], IGN, 4 December 2007</ref> IGN criticized the "boring" presentation of the PlayStation Portable version of ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning'', but added that "there's no doubt that the information is valuable and can teach you the finer points of the game."<ref>[http://psp.ign.com/articles/855/855765p1.html ''Chessmaster: The Art of Learning - PSP review], IGN, 28 February 2008</ref>

Although the ''Chessmaster'' engine is generally not as strong as the engines of other commercially available chess programs such as [[Fritz (chess)|Fritz]],<ref>[http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM8000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html Chessmaster 8000 vs. Fritz 6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081220173311/http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM8000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html |date=20 December 2008 }}, Roger McIntyre, Logical Chess</ref><ref>[http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM9000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html Chessmaster 9000 vs. Fritz 6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509074419/http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM9000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html |date=9 May 2008 }}, Roger McIntyre, Logical Chess</ref> critics have praised the ''Chessmaster'' series for its comprehensive tutorials aimed at players of amateur and moderate skill levels. In its review of ''Chessmaster 9000'', IGN said that "the series has always distinguished itself with first-rate chess teaching tools", and welcomed the game's "appeal towards inexperienced and mid-level players. With all manner of tutorials, detailed analysis and exercises, the game helps ease newbies into the experience."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20020920161109/http://pc.ign.com/articles/371/371349p1.html Chessmaster 9000 review], IGN, 17 September 2002</ref> GameSpot's review of ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' commented positively on the game's "huge bundle of features aimed at everyone from the neophyte who's looking to learn the basics to the advanced wood pusher who may need practice for tournament play."<ref name="gspot10th"/>

A common criticism of the series has been the lack of new features in successive installments. IGN's review of ''Chessmaster 10th Edition'' commented, "it simply doesn't add enough over any of the last two versions to make it a necessary upgrade."<ref name="ign10th"/>

===Awards===
The editors of ''[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]]'' named ''Chessmaster Online'' the best online game of 1997.<ref name=cgmawards1997>{{cite web|author=Staff |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206152953/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/009/194/1997_cgsp_awards.html |url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/009/194/1997_cgsp_awards.html |title=The winners of the 1997 ''Computer Games'' Awards |date=19 January 1998 |work=[[Computer Games Magazine|Computer Games Strategy Plus]] |archive-date=6 February 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In 1994, ''[[PC Gamer UK]]'' named ''Chessmaster 4000 Turbo'' the 20th best computer game of all time, calling it the best of the series so far and accessible to all skill levels. The editors wrote, "A chess game? In the Top 50? Well, why not?"<ref name=pcgameruktop50>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[PC Gamer UK]] | title=The ''PC Gamer'' Top 50 PC Games of All Time |date=April 1994 | issue=5 | pages=43–56 }}</ref> In June 1994 ''Chessmaster 4000'' was a finalist for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s Strategy Game of the Year award, losing to ''[[Master of Orion]]'' The editors wrote that "Software Toolworks still has the capacity and the will to improve their best-selling chess engine".<ref name="cgw199406">{{Cite magazine
 |date=June 1994
 |title=Announcing The New Premier Awards
 |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118 
 |magazine=Computer Gaming World
 |pages=51–58
 }}</ref>

In 1997 ''Chessmaster 5000'' was a finalist for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s Classic/Puzzle Game of the Year award,<ref name=cgwpremiernominees1996>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | title=Best of the Bunch; Finalists Named for ''CGW'' Premier Awards |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1997&pub=2&id=153 |date=April 1997 | issue=153 | pages=28, 32 }}</ref> losing to ''[[Baku Baku Animal]]''.<ref name=cgwpremier1996>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] | title=The ''Computer Gaming World'' 1997 Premier Awards |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1997&pub=2&id=154 |date=May 1997 | issue=154 | pages=68–70, 72, 74, 76, 78, 80 }}</ref>