"Players of all skill levels will enjoy Chessmaster 9000 as they discover the fun of mastering the game of chess," said Laurent Detoc, president of Ubi Soft Inc. "With over 5 million units sold worldwide, the Chessmaster franchise is in a class by itself as the premier brand and undisputed world champion of chess."

The newest edition of the best-selling chess software franchise of all time, Chessmaster 9000, introduces players to the rules and strategies of chess while building their skills through fun yet comprehensive tutorials. Beginners as well as seasoned chess players will enjoy the many features, challenging gameplay and personal instruction that have made Chessmaster the world's most popular chess program.

About Chessmaster 9000

Since the first version appeared for the PC in 1986, Chessmaster has been the dominant chess franchise in the world, selling more than 5 million units and winning numerous awards. Chessmaster 9000 builds on the strong foundation of its predecessors by adding many new tools to help players master the game of chess, including a new course on the Psychology of Competition by International Master Josh Waitzkin, a new Endgame Quiz from five-time chess champ and Grand Master Larry Evans, and a new Blunder Alert feature that immediately notifies players of better moves when they move their pieces into danger. Additionally, new online features include a free matchmaking service via ubi.com, special chat events, and rated games online.