[need_a_screen_name]

Anyone know of a good free chess program to download? One where you play against the computer and not another person?

[LibWhacker]

Check out Natwarlal on NoNags.com. Totally free. No nag screens. NoNags gives it a 6 (out of 6). Not vouching for it myself . . . Just tellin' 'ya about it! :-)

[furball4paws]

I've tried about 6 and the best one is Fritz. I use Fritz 8. You can probably get an earlier version on Ebay for about $10-20. It's not as pretty as Chessmaster, but both can be adjusted so that it will crush you or you can crush it. It's analysis routine is better than Chessmaster.

Note: Chessmaster causes a lot of crashes with Windows, especially in the analysis mode. If it didn't have this problem it would also be a good bet.

[NonLinear]

Fritz, Fritz, Fritz

Use what the GM's use.

Great tactical analysis, not quite as great in positional situations, but still better than 95% of the people you could find to evaluate your position.

Just search on the web. It's out there.

Check out for human or computer players online:
chessclub.com (ICC) $50/year
freechess.org (FICS) Free

You may be able to figure out my handle on either.

[Caipirabob]

Anyone know of a good free chess program to download? One where you play against the computer and not another person?

Depends on the meaning of "good". ; )

Good in being "adjustable" to the specific user or good in the complexity and sophistication of the programming? Pawn's a good starter engine.

Pawn