If you're getting a little long in tooth, and grey on top, then you might be stuck back in days of yon when chess software wasn't worth price of floppy disk that it came on. Well my friend, times have changed, and this is definitely NOT your father's chess software we're talking about here.

Human vs. Computer

Computer chess software really came into its own in February 1996 when legendary Chess Grandmaster Garry Kasparov played a six-game match in Philadelphia against IBM Chess software nicknamed "Deep Blue". Although he declared his 4-2 score a "win for mankind", he also admitted that it was most difficult tournament of his career.

IBM, sporting their next generation of chess software named "Deeper Blue" demands a rematch which in played in May of 1997 in New York. The chess software puts a whuppin on Kasparov and defeats him 3.5-2.5.

Fortunately or unfortunately, depending upon your point of view, IBM didn't sell their chess software and industry kind of went to sleep for a while. Well, it wasn't really sleeping, big things were going on behind scenes. And that's great news for us chess software geeks!

The availability of chess software has exploded since days of Deep Blue. Now you can run chess software on all of popular computer operating systems including Windows, MAC, Linux, Unix, and Palm. You have choices when it comes to categories or functions of chess software as well.

Chess Training Software

Chess software in this category is designed to improve visualization and move calculation skills in Chess. These are basic essential skills that need to be honed in order to move from being an amature to a master.

Many chess software training titles also teach strategies for opening middlegame and endgame so you can learn how to strategise and thwart your opponent's moves while still executing your game plan.

Peer-to-Peer Chess Software

Several Years ago while I was shopping for Christmas I stopped dead in my tracks when I saw holiday arrangements at department store I was in.

I was dazzled by sight, golden branches wrapped in twinkling white lights. The idea was so simple but yet absolutely beautiful.

Within a moment I decided I would re-create it at home. Once home, I took a walk in woods to gather necessary branches and other materials were easily found at my local craft store.

I created three trees that year and placed them on my front porch; two smaller ones on left side of door and a larger one to right. The effect was just what I had hoped for~ a golden glow that welcomed family and friends into my home for holidays.

Materials Needed for One Tree:

Large tree branch that “looks” like a small tree

Gold spray paint

Gold fabric

Gold cording

Soil

String of white lights

Plastic garbage bag