October 23, 2007

Ubisoft Announces Chessmaster: The Art of Learning Ships

Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition has Gone Gold

Today, Ubisoft announced that Chessmaster: The Art of Learning for the Nintendo DS has shipped to store shelves and that Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition for Windows PC has gone gold (shipping Oct. 30). In both games, Josh Waitzkin, International Master and eight-time National Chess Champion, coaches players to grasp the basic fundamentals of chess and to master the game through exciting courses and tutorials taken directly from his groundbreaking book, The Art of Learning (Free Press). Players can then practice their newly developed skills in single-player mode or challenge their friends to a fun-spirited competition via LAN or Internet.

Features include:

• Guidance from champion Josh Waitzkin: Using the basics from his book The Art of Learning, Josh puts players in his shoes during some of the most riveting moments of his career. He then walks them through the classics, introducing beginners to the fundamentals of the game and providing revealing commentary about the road to mastery.
• Multiplayer mode: Players can battle each other using the wireless option on the DS with a variety of games such as Progressive Chess and Los Alamos Chess. In the PC version, there are 12 multiplayer options, including Limited Shuffle and Pocket Knight.
• Original DS mini-games: Each mini-game is packed with its own music, sound effects, a high-score record and 20 levels of gameplay. Players can look forward to: Masterpiece, in which players complete the picture using chess pieces to reveal the hidden squares; Pawn Charge, where players need to advance pawns across the board and avoid capture; and Chain Reaction, which requires that three pieces of the same kind be placed so that their paths of movement connect.
• Rated play: Players have the chance to test their skills against a variety of opponents and establish their ELO ratings.

Chessmaster: The Art of Learning for the Nintendo DS is rated "E” for everyone and has a MSRP of $39.99. Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition for Windows PC is also rated "E” for everyone and has a MSRP of $29.99. Chessmaster: Grandmaster Edition is shipping to store shelves on Oct. 30.

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