Difference in Fritz versions?

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

All,

From everything I have read Fritz is THE program to have if I want to be
serious about computer chess. I currently have Chessmaster 10 and think it
is fine, but I can see how Fritz might handle database imports and analysis
better.

My question is when I go to chessbase.com to check out Fritz I get this:
http://tinyurl.com/457bc

and when I go to Amazon.com I get this: http://tinyurl.com/5yd7d

Is there a difference? The covers look different so I am not sure whether
they are the same or not. They appear to be.

Anyone?

Gil C

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

Gil Cintron wrote:

> From everything I have read Fritz is THE program to have if I want to be
> serious about computer chess. I currently have Chessmaster 10 and think it
> is fine, but I can see how Fritz might handle database imports and analysis
> better.

The operative word is probably 'might'. Fritz is mainly for playing chess --
its database capabilities are rather rudimentary.

If you want to do tricky things with databases, you may want to take a
look at ChessBase, which is ChessBase's database program.

--
Anders Thulin ath*algonet.se http://www.algonet.se/~ath

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

"Anders Thulin" <ath_no_spam_please@algonet.se> wrote in message
news9i0e.133138$dP1.471204@newsc.telia.net...
> Gil Cintron wrote:
>
>> From everything I have read Fritz is THE program to have if I want to be
>> serious about computer chess. I currently have Chessmaster 10 and think
>> it is fine, but I can see how Fritz might handle database imports and
>> analysis better.
>
> The operative word is probably 'might'. Fritz is mainly for playing
> chess --
> its database capabilities are rather rudimentary.
>
> If you want to do tricky things with databases, you may want to take a
> look at ChessBase, which is ChessBase's database program.
>
> --
> Anders Thulin ath*algonet.se http://www.algonet.se/~ath

So my current setup of CMX and Chessbase Light should be plenty? Are the
features in full Chessbase worth the upgrade?

GC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

Gil Cintron wrote:

> So my current setup of CMX and Chessbase Light should be plenty? Are the
> features in full Chessbase worth the upgrade?

I can't say: this depends mainly on you. What do you want to do with it?
If you want to do things that are not there, it won't be worth it.

Perhaps if you describe what you want to do some of the Chessbase-experts
can tell you.

I use Fritz, but I often curse about the poor database features it provides.

--
Anders Thulin ath*algonet.se http://www.algonet.se/~ath

 

[chaos]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 13:16:22 -0500, "Gil Cintron" <gilcintron@emesen.com> using
recycled electrons muttered something about:

>>> From everything I have read Fritz is THE program to have if I want to be
>>> serious about computer chess.

I would not go so far as to say Fritz is THE program to have, but it certainly
would have to be one of the top 2 or 3 at worst. The point is that with the
Fritz GUI you can purchase and install almost all of the top programs, such as
Shredder, Chess Tiger 14/15, Junior, Gandalf 6, etc. as Fritz native engines
and have them run under the Fritz GUI. Additionally, there are hundreds of free
engines that will work under the Fritz GUI either as uci engines or WB engines
using ancillary stuff such as wb2uci.

Those not operational under the Fritz GUI are Chess Tiger 2004, and, ummmm, a
couple of others, I think.

Chess Assistant is another item to look at.

Chessbase Light is fine as far as it goes, but it is limited in the number of
games it will hold in it's database, and does not support, so far as I know,
more up to date engines such as Chess Tiger 15, or Fritz 7, or Fritz 8, or (soon
to come) Fritz 9, Hiarcs 9, etc., for analysis purposes. If you can afford it,
I've found the combination of Fritz and the full version of Chessbase 8 to be
more than adequate for my needs/wishes. (Haven't yet purchased CB 9 - maybe in a
few months, maybe not.)

CM10k + CB Light is fine, but you are somewhat limited. The full version of
Chessbase, such as Chessbase 8 which should be available fairly cheaply now
since CB 9 has been out for a while, would be well worth it. Combined with the
Fritz stables this creates some capablities that you might well be surprised at.

Of course, the above is only my opinion.

I currently have Chessmaster 10 and think
>>> it is fine, but I can see how Fritz might handle database imports and
>>> analysis better.
>>
>> The operative word is probably 'might'. Fritz is mainly for playing
>> chess --
>> its database capabilities are rather rudimentary.
>>
>> If you want to do tricky things with databases, you may want to take a
>> look at ChessBase, which is ChessBase's database program.

>So my current setup of CMX and Chessbase Light should be plenty? Are the
>features in full Chessbase worth the upgrade?


No problem is so formidable that you can't just walk away from it.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

<Chaos@chaos.org> wrote in message
news:3ie341d7aj248dvkaek52uontujbsgqjfa@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 13:16:22 -0500, "Gil Cintron" <gilcintron@emesen.com>
> using
> recycled electrons muttered something about:
>
>>>> From everything I have read Fritz is THE program to have if I want to
>>>> be
>>>> serious about computer chess.
>
> I would not go so far as to say Fritz is THE program to have, but it
> certainly
> would have to be one of the top 2 or 3 at worst. The point is that with
> the
> Fritz GUI you can purchase and install almost all of the top programs,
> such as
> Shredder, Chess Tiger 14/15, Junior, Gandalf 6, etc. as Fritz native
> engines
> and have them run under the Fritz GUI. Additionally, there are hundreds of
> free
> engines that will work under the Fritz GUI either as uci engines or WB
> engines
> using ancillary stuff such as wb2uci.
>
> Those not operational under the Fritz GUI are Chess Tiger 2004, and,
> ummmm, a
> couple of others, I think.
>
> Chess Assistant is another item to look at.
>
> Chessbase Light is fine as far as it goes, but it is limited in the number
> of
> games it will hold in it's database, and does not support, so far as I
> know,
> more up to date engines such as Chess Tiger 15, or Fritz 7, or Fritz 8, or
> (soon
> to come) Fritz 9, Hiarcs 9, etc., for analysis purposes. If you can afford
> it,
> I've found the combination of Fritz and the full version of Chessbase 8 to
> be
> more than adequate for my needs/wishes. (Haven't yet purchased CB 9 -
> maybe in a
> few months, maybe not.)
>
> CM10k + CB Light is fine, but you are somewhat limited. The full version
> of
> Chessbase, such as Chessbase 8 which should be available fairly cheaply
> now
> since CB 9 has been out for a while, would be well worth it. Combined with
> the
> Fritz stables this creates some capablities that you might well be
> surprised at.
>
> Of course, the above is only my opinion.
>
> I currently have Chessmaster 10 and think
>>>> it is fine, but I can see how Fritz might handle database imports and
>>>> analysis better.
>>>
>>> The operative word is probably 'might'. Fritz is mainly for playing
>>> chess --
>>> its database capabilities are rather rudimentary.
>>>
>>> If you want to do tricky things with databases, you may want to take a
>>> look at ChessBase, which is ChessBase's database program.
>
>>So my current setup of CMX and Chessbase Light should be plenty? Are the
>>features in full Chessbase worth the upgrade?
>
>
> No problem is so formidable that you can't just walk away from it.

I guess this is what I have read about Fritz...the fact that it is
compatible with so many other apps because it uses the Chessbase engine (?)
if that's the right word to use.

I have just recently started trying to learn and understand how to play good
chess rather than just make a legal move. CMX has been great so far because
it has a decent "Academy" and allows me to play games and tournaments at or
above my level. My only problem with it is when I try to import PGNs of my
games and analyze them it is hasn't been as fluid as I would like. I have
also downloaded games from the UPitt ftp server and CMX isn't analyzing them
the same way it does after I play against the computer.

It could be me.

Right now the number of games in my CMX or CBL database isn't a reason to
switch. I just want my game analysis to work better in CMX. If it is me,
hopefully I can straighten it out soon. If it isn't me I will switch to the
more universally accepted Fritz eventually.

Thanks for all the help so far.

Gil C

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

<Chaos@chaos.org> wrote in message
news:3ie341d7aj248dvkaek52uontujbsgqjfa@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 13:16:22 -0500, "Gil Cintron" <gilcintron@emesen.com>
> using
> recycled electrons muttered something about:
>
>>>> From everything I have read Fritz is THE program to have if I want to
>>>> be
>>>> serious about computer chess.
>
> I would not go so far as to say Fritz is THE program to have, but it
> certainly
> would have to be one of the top 2 or 3 at worst. The point is that with
> the
> Fritz GUI you can purchase and install almost all of the top programs,
> such as
> Shredder, Chess Tiger 14/15, Junior, Gandalf 6, etc. as Fritz native
> engines
> and have them run under the Fritz GUI. Additionally, there are hundreds of
> free
> engines that will work under the Fritz GUI either as uci engines or WB
> engines
> using ancillary stuff such as wb2uci.
>
> Those not operational under the Fritz GUI are Chess Tiger 2004, and,
> ummmm, a
> couple of others, I think.
>
> Chess Assistant is another item to look at.
>
> Chessbase Light is fine as far as it goes, but it is limited in the number
> of
> games it will hold in it's database, and does not support, so far as I
> know,
> more up to date engines such as Chess Tiger 15, or Fritz 7, or Fritz 8, or
> (soon
> to come) Fritz 9, Hiarcs 9, etc., for analysis purposes. If you can afford
> it,
> I've found the combination of Fritz and the full version of Chessbase 8 to
> be
> more than adequate for my needs/wishes. (Haven't yet purchased CB 9 -
> maybe in a
> few months, maybe not.)
>
> CM10k + CB Light is fine, but you are somewhat limited. The full version
> of
> Chessbase, such as Chessbase 8 which should be available fairly cheaply
> now
> since CB 9 has been out for a while, would be well worth it. Combined with
> the
> Fritz stables this creates some capablities that you might well be
> surprised at.
>
> Of course, the above is only my opinion.
>
> I currently have Chessmaster 10 and think
>>>> it is fine, but I can see how Fritz might handle database imports and
>>>> analysis better.
>>>
>>> The operative word is probably 'might'. Fritz is mainly for playing
>>> chess --
>>> its database capabilities are rather rudimentary.
>>>
>>> If you want to do tricky things with databases, you may want to take a
>>> look at ChessBase, which is ChessBase's database program.
>
>>So my current setup of CMX and Chessbase Light should be plenty? Are the
>>features in full Chessbase worth the upgrade?
>
>
> No problem is so formidable that you can't just walk away from it.

Also, back to my original question.

Is there a difference between these two Fritz versions?
http://tinyurl.com/457bc

http://tinyurl.com/5yd7d

They look different and are priced different, but the descriptions sound
similar.

Thanks,

GC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

Gil Cintron wrote:

>
> I have just recently started trying to learn and understand how to play good
> chess rather than just make a legal move. CMX has been great so far because
> it has a decent "Academy" and allows me to play games and tournaments at or
> above my level. My only problem with it is when I try to import PGNs of my
> games and analyze them it is hasn't been as fluid as I would like. I have
> also downloaded games from the UPitt ftp server and CMX isn't analyzing them
> the same way it does after I play against the computer.
>
> It could be me.
>
> Right now the number of games in my CMX or CBL database isn't a reason to
> switch. I just want my game analysis to work better in CMX. If it is me,
> hopefully I can straighten it out soon. If it isn't me I will switch to the
> more universally accepted Fritz eventually.
>
> Thanks for all the help so far.
>
> Gil C
>
>
If you're going to make manual analysis - which is strongly the most
recommended for beginners and somewhat above that - you can do a lot in
CB-light when you know how it works.
You wont need hardcore engine analysis for some time to come, if you
really want to work with your own chess!
When you really begin to develope a good feeling of your play, then
engines can assist you in practising especially tactics.
You should be able to what you need right now with what you have, and
and some good books. Maybe join the Yahoo ChessImprovemnet group, or
something similar...

Good chess,
HD

 

[chaos]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

On Wed, 23 Mar 2005 14:24:25 -0500, "Gil Cintron" <gilcintron@emesen.com> using
recycled electrons muttered something about:

>Also, back to my original question.
>
>Is there a difference between these two Fritz versions?
>http://tinyurl.com/457bc
>
> http://tinyurl.com/5yd7d
>
>They look different and are priced different, but the descriptions sound
>similar.

I think there is some difference in the engines. The first url goes to Chessbase
and Fritz 8 Championship edition containing Fritz 8 Bilbao engine. I _think_ the
Bilbao engine is slightly stronger than the normal Fritz 8 engine which would be
found in the 2nd url, but I am not certain. Think I'll check into that.

No problem is so formidable that you can't just walk away from it.

 

[chaos]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 14:15:26 GMT, Chaos@chaos.org using recycled electrons
muttered something about:

>>Is there a difference between these two Fritz versions?
>>http://tinyurl.com/457bc
>>
>> http://tinyurl.com/5yd7d
>>
>>They look different and are priced different, but the descriptions sound
>>similar.
>
>I think there is some difference in the engines. The first url goes to Chessbase
>and Fritz 8 Championship edition containing Fritz 8 Bilbao engine. I _think_ the
>Bilbao engine is slightly stronger than the normal Fritz 8 engine which would be
>found in the 2nd url, but I am not certain. Think I'll check into that.

To continue:

Chessbase advises that Fritz 8 Bilbao is about 10 elo points stronger than the
standard Fritz 8 engine.
No problem is so formidable that you can't just walk away from it.

 

[gc]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

<Chaos@chaos.org> wrote in message
news:npib419stsp1ag9n0n8dttu7q68f9b9v3i@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 26 Mar 2005 14:15:26 GMT, Chaos@chaos.org using recycled electrons
> muttered something about:
>
>>>Is there a difference between these two Fritz versions?
>>>http://tinyurl.com/457bc
>>>
>>> http://tinyurl.com/5yd7d
>>>
>>>They look different and are priced different, but the descriptions sound
>>>similar.
>>
>>I think there is some difference in the engines. The first url goes to
>>Chessbase
>>and Fritz 8 Championship edition containing Fritz 8 Bilbao engine. I
>>_think_ the
>>Bilbao engine is slightly stronger than the normal Fritz 8 engine which
>>would be
>>found in the 2nd url, but I am not certain. Think I'll check into that.
>
> To continue:
>
> Chessbase advises that Fritz 8 Bilbao is about 10 elo points stronger than
> the
> standard Fritz 8 engine.
> No problem is so formidable that you can't just walk away from it.

Thanks alot!

I will assume that the rest of the program is identical (lessons, gui,
interface, etc)

Thanks for the help.
GC

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: rec.games.chess.computer (More info?)

I think that Fritz 8 is currently available in 3 versions.

Fritz 8

Fritz 8 Deluxe

and Fritz 8 Championship Edition.

Amazon no longer carries the original version.

As far as I can tell, Fritz 8 Deluxe is just a repackaging of the
original product fleshed out with an updated engine and a bigger
database which includes some teaser videos of Gary Kasparov discussing
the Queens Gambit.

(You can buy a 3 hour DVD of Kasparov discussing the QG separately).

The Championship edition is 3 packages in one: Fritz 8, the Fritz 8
Powerbook and the Nalimov Endgame Tablebases.

I'd start out with Fritz 8 Deluxe and see if your database needs were
met with online databases or a free database like SCID.

I agree that Fritz 8 is THE program to have.

One feature that I find really helpful with my games is to analyze
them in "Look for Blunders" mode. You can decide to have a training
position embedded in the game so when you step through it in database
mode when you get to the to blunder the machine will ask you to make
the right move.

Another feature I really like is the ability to easily create your own
openings books by importing a batch of PGN files.

There are additional engines you can download to use with Fritz 8. It
supports UCI compatible engines as well as ones written specifically
for the Chessbase GUI.

Fritz 8 is more than a chess program, it's a chess platform.