Publisher: MacPlay is responsible for this CD-ROM. MacPlay is a division of Interplay Productions , and makes "the Classic 5" also in a floppy disk format.
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This CD-ROM by MacPlay is aimed at anyone who owns a Macintosh computer, and who enjoys the games of Backgammon, Go, Chess, Bridge, and Checkers. As it is easy to install, and has a very easy-to-use point-and-click interface, one cannot say it discriminates against the computer-illiterate. Nor does it have any objection of being played by people who have never heard of Go. As for this review, I used a Power Macintosh 7200/90 that belongs to the University of Texas. [Top of Page]
"Classic Five" comes with one of the best instruction manuals I've seen, as it introduces each game with a brief historical essay that is not only readable, but quotable. The instruction manual assumes nothing, and gives the basics needed to play and comprehend any of the games. In addition, it smartly advises the user to visit the library to learn more about the intricacies of Chess, Bridge, and the more complicated games it offers. [Top of Page]
To get good at Chess, one needs to play Chess. To play Chess, one needs a partner. (The same applies for any of these games, even Checkers.) Knowing that there are many people in the Information Age who cannot manufacture partners, the purpose of the CD-ROM, mostly, is to give all those alone a chance to hone their gaming skills too. Like "Beat the House", another CD-ROM by MacPlay, it is an instructional work, and does provide advice on moves... One can play at a beginner level, or at an advanced level where the computer beats you even when you attempt to cheat. For example, using chess advice given by Vladimir Nabokov in "Poems and Problems", I was successfully checkmated in twelve moves. One of the odd things about the CD-ROM is that it allows you to take back moves that, on second thought, you found to be idiotic. As this ruins one important aspect of these classic games --that is, the need to maintain total concentration -- it also limits those who are playing with a friend the chance to mock the other over his stupidity. [Top of Page]
Among the gimmicks (previously stated elsewhere) are play-by-play computer tutorials, and the chance to always take back a previous move. Another odd feature of the CD-ROM is having the "computer" opponent take as long a time to make a move as a human player. Sometimes, while playing chess, I was able to go to the bathroom, fix myself tea, and come back, only to find the computer still scratching his forehead, wondering what to do. While this made me feel fairly good about my play, it also irritated me a bit. One of the better features about the game -- and for this, it should be saluted -- is a silent background. Thus, while pondering a Go strategy, one does not have circus music blaring in one's ears (unless, of course, one has a certain Pee Wee Herman movie on). Also, you are allowed to save games in progress. You can, as well, create your own board configurations, though I never understood why one would feel like doing this [Top of Page]
These games, in their traditional formats, are cheap (with the possible exception of checkers). All of them are easy to set up, generally attractive, and take up little storage space. They are also more fun, partly because it's nice to feel a king in the palm of one's hands. However, there are those who simply prefer anything that can be done over computer. For these people, I still do not recommend "the Classic Five". Yes, it will give you some good advice on how to improve your game, though nothing to the extent of a full-fledged book, or in the following websites.
For one, there is Dave Burness' well-indexed webpage on Go .
Of a similar nature, there is Ludwig's well-indexed webpage on Bridge .
For any who want a good index of information, as well as the chance to play over the computer, you may like the following site on backgammon , though playing this over the Internet was, admittedly, less gratifying than the the CD-ROM version.
While the best reason to buy the CD-ROM might be its classy, well-done chess game, the influx of great chess websites that are free make it also the worst reason. For example, there is the Chess page , created by David Bentii, which has chess art, chess articles, and a truly enjoyable community chess game where any and all are invited to play.
Another place to play live chess is by going to the chess pagee created by - you guessed it - Steve Pribut . At this website, you also have he option - albeit a queer one - of playing chess over e-mail with a complete stranger.
Lastly, I should mention Matt's Chess page , which gives some wonderful advice for those who might be left with just one pawn on board.
Not yet mentioned is a good website for checkers. If a person is buying "the Classic 5" because of electronic checkers, then, well, I imagine you're fairly weird. At any rate, have fun. [One last time for you to jump to the top of the page ] Reviewed by Theodore Defosse on 5/1/97.