If you have always wanted to play chess with a Grand Master then Chessmaster 6000 is exactly what you need to prepare yourself for the big day.

With more than 300,000 genuine games in a massive database, all contributing to the computer's knowledge, you can be assured playing this game is as real as it gets.

The game even allows you to see how Grand Masters like Kasparov or Fischer handled similar situations so you can benefit from their experience.

As a fairly low-level chess player, I was a little concerned this game might be too advanced for me. No worries there.

The game is configurable to any individual player's skill level. There is an online coaching feature that combines with helpful hints and really useful suggestions to make sure your level of game play improves each time you take on the Chessmaster.

I was pleased to discover the game offers a range of 64 human-like personalities to play against, each with its own biography and playing style.

Unless you are very sad, the Chessmaster opponents are unlikely to become your best mates but they don't moan when you eat curry and drink beer as you play and, best of all, they don't crow when they beat you.

My favourite feature was Blitz chess where you play an entire game in five or even two minutes - fast and furious action but a bit wearing after a while.

It was almost a relief to play against the computer without any help from the tutorials. Man against machine. It thrashed me soundly every time, so no surprises there.

Price: £9.99.

Contact: 01889 570156.

Feel good factor: 9 out of 10.