Iam new to the chessmaster series, and i would like to know if the 9000 game is the best chess game there is. i would like to purchase it, but i want to know if it is a good buy!

I have owned many of the Chessmaster games and each one gets a little better. The newest version is called GrandMaster Edition, but Chessmaster 9000 is a very good game and at this price a good buy.

JonEReb Thanks for the tip, iam getting this one ASAP!

The last one I played was 5000/6000 and I look froward to playing this one

This version (9000) was the last one with the old style. 10th edition and grandmaster edition, the two versions that have been released since this one, run on an updated graphics engine and have mostly 3D sets.
For those that don't know: All the old lessons are put into each subsequent new version. So if you have a newer version, the only thing you'll get out of this one are the old chess sets, which have since been replaced by new 3D versions. (Even the 2D boards are now "flat" 3D) If you are into the different chess sets this will be an awesome buy even if you have the latest version.

The latest Chessmaster 11 Grandmaster Edition has a better tutorial mode than Chessmaster 9000, and a larger database of saved matches (that are actual matchups between the real chessmasters of history), as well as a updated interface and nicer graphics overall.
Other than that Chessmaster 9000 is basically the same game. It has the same chess engine, which is a very good engine, and was (importantly) the first game to really introduce ratings properly. If you have a chess rating, you can enter it and have the CPU play to your level.
The online matchmaking is the same as in later editions (and if you want to play online there are better alternatives anyway, such as www.freechess.org).
To answer your question; it IS a very good buy if you like or want to learn chess. Whether it's THE best chess game ever is up for debate. The latest edition of the series has more features and a better interface (the interface is one of the weaker point of Chessmaster 9000 - it's not bad but had room for the improvement we've seen in later titles). There are also other chess games that aren't as "rigid" and educational as this title if you're looking for something a bit different.
But none of those are available for $9.99 normally.

I bought the game yesterday, It has a relay nice tutorial that explains everything, and makes chess a hell lot more fun to play.
thanks guys for making me buy this game!

This game will most likely kick your ass your whole life unless you are so dedicated to chess to become a grandmaster. So yeah, its good enough for pretty much the entire human population. The difference is, like has been said, mostly in such things as the interface.

I bought it to play on my netbook. I already own it on cd, but this is just so much more convenient. I'm a lousy chess player, or, if you prefer, a learner ;) so this will do me my whole life. Once again, thanks, GOG, for bringing the awesome past back to life :) Hubby doesn't thank you at all for you are making me spend our money :D

I recently bought the game too and it's definitely worth the money. Great at analyzing games, pointing out blunders and suggesting better moves. It even allows the user to import other chess engines such as Crafty and Gnu Chess.
There's much difference from future chessmaster programs other then the set of personalities and the interface. As a chess newbie, I get the same experience from 9000 as I would from 10th edition or The Art of Learning.

I bought this game and I am very happy with it. Yes there is more modern versions out there, but Chessmaster 9000 suits me fine.