Dear Leland:
I am new to competitive chess, and wish to know what chess downloads are suitable for a beginner. It will have to be free, as I am a full-time UNCC grad student. (Unfortunately, UNCC adores Wednesday night for its grad classes, that is why I have not been to Wendy's.) Wikipedia has an enormous list of free downloads, but little guidance.
Fritz 5.32 is much too brilliant tactically for me, demoralizing in its brilliance, although retracing my mistakes and trying new variants has its uses. Pity they couldn't have provided a lower rating setting for it.
Main needs are for strategy and fundamentals in the middlegame. (I can see simple combinations, but not much beyond.)
Thank you for your attention and advice.
Yours,
Andrew E. Boeck
aboeck2@carolina.rr.com