Shredder Classic 5 for Mac13.0

I didn't play chess for ages, so I am not sure do I even remember the rules ;)

BTW, it'd be nice if they would port some of the latest features from the Win version to the Mac one...

Although I prefer GO (WeiChi), I still like chess and want to improve my play. There is a good collection of links to Chess programs for Mac at http://www.dmoz.org/Games/Video_Games/Recreation/Board_Games/Chess/Macintosh/ and some useful comments at http://www.atpm.com/7.02/chess.shtml The Shredder developer also helped produce the UCI --- thank you.

I've played with it during the week-end and am finally ready to buy: it's a very solid app!

I have never heard of this but I am interested in buying.Cannot wait to try it out!

This was reviewed by chessreviews.com about 3 years ago (the PC version), and according to them: "[…] I currently use Shredder for 90% of my analysis tasks, and it is my "first choice" engine. This is not simply because Shredder is strong. I think more importantly, I've yet to see the engine do anything that is really stupid, and the engine plays very patiently and consistently. […]" The interface is often praised as well. I personally find the interface clean and easy to use, but looks dated and could be improved significantly for the Mac. The current PC version seems to be richer in features (although it costs the same). The Mac version lacks an automatic update system, for instance. As far as I know, for the Mac, the only strong competitor to Shredder would be Sigma Chess using the HIARCS engine. At $20 is not a bad deal, but I wish Mac users could get the full feature set available on PCs and an interface worthy of the Mac platform.

My family’s chess-aficionado has long complained of the predictability of the AIs in the chess games he has played. This one sounds like it may actually hold some interest for him…

I have tried Shredder Classic for mac once before and have liked it. I have been waiting a long time to find the "right" time to buy it - and this seems like it - this is a great deal. It seems to be the only big chess software program that allows mac users as well - Go Shredder!

The price is fantastic! For Mac is one of Top of Chess!!!! Strong Elo and Very Good Interface. For appassionated.

The demo version can only open 2000 games in a database. Can the payed version open more, lets say 8000 or 12000 games? Manual says it have no limit in database size and site don't mention this restriction in the demo version. so?

Have heard of this program before but never tried it. User interface is nice

Very nice! Much, much better playing engine and more pleasing visuals than the little chess game coming with OSX. If I dont win a license, I will buy one, at this price its a steal.

This looks fantastic! Will have to give it a try and if I don't win, I may have to buy it!

If you're a chess player, this is a must-have - the engine behind it is currently one of the top 10 computer players. This version is not as fast as Shredder 11, nor can it make use of multiple processor cores like Deep Shredder 11; however, it should still challenge the average player. Should you need the extra power, it can be upgraded to the more advanced versions for the price difference between them. The only comparable software for Mac OS X is Sigma Chess, running either the commercial HIARCS Pro engine, or the free Fruit 2.3.1 engine.

The coaching and game analysis sound worthwhile. Up to a point, chess is good for a human-type mind. After playing chess through childhood and college, I discovered Go, another ancient board game which (along with lots of non-game activities) I grew to love more than chess -- try Go if you haven't (MacUpdate carries a good freeware implementation: Goban).

Pretty good for improving your game.

I also hadn't heard of this program until today. The interface looks very good, the play hints (e.g., suggesting taking back a bad move) are very useful for learning the game, and it seems to have a large database of play strategies. All in all, a good program for the novice (like myself) and the expert.

ok, so i actually cant see myself payig 20 bucks, but i'm trying, trying... besides, i know the things i waste money on....20 dollars shouldnt sound as high as it does

Tried it out. Looks good. This is sad that Vektor development has stopped...

Aw, man - I was doing good resisting the games until you posted this one. Going to have to check it out!

Perhaps this analysis feature could help this sorry chess player.

“Chess teaches you to control the initial excitement you feel when you see something that looks good and it trains you to think objectively when you're in trouble” (Stanley Kubrick) nice game

Yum, I always love chess. This one appears to have quite a bit of useful features, and it looks nice!

this is a very prestigious program

Yeah, this will make a great gift. It doesn't take much to beat me, so I'll have to give this away. :>)

I love chess and look forward to the challenge.

I am very pleased that this is being offered, as the AI is superior to that of the Kasparov Chessmate engine, in my opinion, and this also helps to diagnose and improve upon mistakes. This is a good investment!

I grew up playing chess and would like to get up to speed with it again, and then challenge my not-as-rusty brother to a game. This might be just the program to help me prepare!

Wow!! My comment on getting this for Christmas was too good to be true - earned me a free copy!! Santa has come early - Thanks a bunch MacUpdate!!

Looks good to me - might buy this as a Xmas gift!!

Very nice chess game with seems to be an strong opponent that plays "intelligent" moves and good openings. I think I will try it some time now, but actually I am really impressed. Like Fariborz already said, the analysis feature is really well done, though by and by it can get you a little down... joke. (((To the dev.: The icon is really ugly)))

I love chess and this program appears to be the best. It's good they have a demo available.

I hope this is all it's touted to be. I was once a reasonable player, but that was many years ago. I hope the comments in this app will enable me regain some of my former ability to play and reason.

very cool, even other languages than english!

I have been wanting to learn to play chess, and this could be a good excuse to start now.

It looks like a right choice for me when I would to play chess. I'm sure that I will try this app.

Just when I decide to learn chess ! Nice :-)

It looks like a serious chess app for serious players!

From the Shredder website, it says that the Classic version has the same library as Shredder 11 and so on. The Classic is just a bit slower and not as efficient so no worries. Am pretty sure that it can still beat the pants off of everyone here. What concerns me is that it says that the requirement is 10.3 whereas the website says 10.4.

I hadn't heard of this program until today. However, trying Shredder Classic just for a few minutes convinced me to buy it. The user interface is simply gorgeous and the program is powerful and responsive. Its graphics is very smooth on one's eyes allowing long hours of play without putting any strain on them. What I like most is the analysis feature that allows analysing moves and learn from one's mistakes. All in all it's worth every cent you pay for it and at this low price it's a real steal.

How does this compare to Sigma Chess?

I'm not a chess buff myself, but I believe that Shredder is supposed to be one of the best implementations out there by far, so this is a great deal. Note, though, that this promo version is not the latest and greatest. This is Shredder Classic 3. Shredder 11 and Deep Shredder 11 are newer, improved and more expensive alternatives. But they'll appeal to the real chess buffs, so I guess that Shredder Classic 3 is the best choice for this kind of promo.

I sort of hate to lose. How hard is it to beat this game? If you have a 3GHz Mac Pro is it sort of futile?

I'm always on the lookout for new chess programs. I haven't heard of this one before. Looks kinda cool.

With Vektor 3 not being updated for years and Chessmaster lingering in obscurity with feral for years... Shredder seems to be the only choice for a decent chess program.

tooo much for an chess game. sorry

My Dad will love this!

If it is that good I'm gonna give it a try.

Wow! Just went to the website and read all the features -- impressive. A must for real chess players (or wanna be...).

wow- thanks MacUpdate. This is one of the best mac games I ´ve ever used. Thanks so much. And now I can buy it for this low price.

Great chess game. Much better and much more fun to play than Apple's built in chess app. I'd be happy to win it! :-)

It's depressing how good these programs are nowadays. (Or perhaps I am being needlessly morbid.)

This looks like a good chess program.

Why, oh why does Shredder still only allow you to have one game open at a time? I would love this program if I could have multiple windows for annotation and comparison purposes. I really wish there was a full powered database/annotation program available for the Mac. I really don't like having to run Chessbase via Fusion.

This software is great, but I wish it had all the features of the Windows version.