TOP 1 CHESS Classic Voice Master Electronic Chess Set, Ages 6+, 1-2 Players, Improve Skills with Chess Games

If someone wants to learn how to play chess, there are a lot of was to do it. Computers are the simplest for solo play, but they are not so good if you also sometimes want the experience of sitting across from your opponent. This device (I won't call it a toy or a game) lets you play against the built in computer (you can white or black) as well as against human opponents because you are dealing with physical board.In addition to being a tradition (small) chess board, it is also a chess training kit complete with information cards about chess and a concise explanation of the rules. I say concise because chess as a challenge is far more complex than single sheet of instructions can communicate.The game can also talk to you when you play against it and warn you when a move you take, or one that the computer takes can put you in jeopardy. Its two phrases are "Are you sure?" and "Be Careful". With technology what it is today, I had hoped for a bit more since those two phrases are not very insightful in many cases.I marked the device down for ease of use, not because it is hard to play, but rather because the limited interface to access features of the game. Many times I simply started mashing buttons until the game let me do what I wanted to do. In a lot of ways it reminded me of electronic games of a previous generation. That being said, it played a good game (and I played a bad one) and it beat me.If you want to introduce someone to chess, this might be a good gift.

I was vasillating between a 3 and a 4. The item is advertised as 13x8". But the playing field is only 7"x 7". This was disappointing. Otherwise, you get what you pay for. A larger playing field would cost hundreds. This unit does the job.

Very impressed with how versatile this set is, since it includes many different timed modes and difficulty levels, including 4 “FUN” levels where the computer makes mistakes on purpose. This is a great set for someone who has never played chess and wants to learn as a result. I would definitely start on the fun levels since any computer can look further ahead than most humans until they are experienced with the game and rules. Also included: a blank chess board sheet, a chess board sheet with the starting positions printed on it, and 2 sets of movement cards so each player (in a 2-player game) has a set for reference. Once you get used to moving the pieces it works well. You lightly push down on the piece you are about to move, and then push down on its new location. This registers your move with the computer and it will then tell you it’s move which you perform in the same way. Voice commands and beeps assist with this process, and if you make a really dumb move the computer will ask “Are you SURE?” and let you take it back if you want, and if the computer thinks it is within a couple moves of check it will start warning you to be careful. Again, a great way for a new player to get used to the mechanics of chess. Takes 4 AA batteries.

My son is getting to the age where he's increasingly with his friends on many of our weekly Friday chess nights...but I still want to play! So, whenever that happens, I can now break out this set and still get in a game or two solo. Sad in a way, but times change I guess.If you're used to playing on a regular sized chess board, you'll first notice that both the board and the pieces are smaller than what you might be used to. The "large screen" advertised is also not-so-large, though I have pretty good eyesight and have no difficulty seeing the LCD screen. All squares on the board are labeled, so you don't have to know A-H / 1-8 by heart, which is great for beginners.I still need to re-read the instructions, because sometimes it will give me a warning (I'd like to turn this feature OFF due to what I'm about to describe) when I *intend* to make the move. For example, I'll go to push a pawn up to defend against an isolated pawn that is under attack from computer's knight, but it will warn me repeatedly that the isolated pawn is at risk from the knight. OK, I get it computer, but if you want to capture my pawn in exchange for me capturing your knight, I'll take that trade all day long. You don't have to repeatedly warn me. It's quirky at times.Overall, this is a good way for me to still play on a Friday night, considering my son sometimes abandons me, my daughter is too young, and my wife couldn't care less about playing chess. It has several skill levels to choose from that seem appropriate in terms of correlating difficulty levels (I consider myself somewhere in the middle to getting into the upper skill levels), and overall, despite sometimes odd behavior (again, I will learn how to turn these features off), a good set to have!

I ordered this chess board because my kids are interested in chess, and they are learning the game on screens playing on a computer. I had hoped this would get them off of a computer screen and more comfortable moving physical pieces and getting challenging games and helpful tips. The game is just much more clunky than I expected, and the interface seems very outdated. The computer often says things like be careful, but it doesn’t seem to give you the opportunity to get a helpful tip or anything. It just seems to take the fun out of the game instead of making it more interesting.