Originally posted by tlswmsTo the best of my knowledge, Fritz doesn't show you the pieces that have been captured, but rather it shows you the material balance (the difference in the pieces captured). Just right click on the notation window, then check the "show material" option. (You might have to save the game board settings.)
I've given up on trying to find the screen in Fritz where I can see what pieces have been taken..do I need to learn how to read the notation or is there a way to see the pieces captured like on this site?
I like the material balance idea better, because it's quicker to see who's up or down in material.
Just look at the board. Having to view the pieces off the board is a bad habit because often times at tournaments,
- a player may have a few extra pieces (especially extra queens)
- the pieces may mix with the captured pieces from the next board
- your opponent may be fiddling with one, have a few on the left and a few on the right.
In short the only good way to check the material balance is to look at the board.
Originally posted by zebanoYou're absolutely correct when it comes to OTB chess. I hope to get good enough some day to be able to simply glance at the board and almost instantly be able to see the material imbalance, but right now, it takes time for me to see this. (I do try to view the pieces on the board in slow OTB time controls.)
Just look at the board. Having to view the pieces off the board is a bad habit because often times at tournaments,
- a player may have a few extra pieces (especially extra queens)
- the pieces may mix with the captured pieces from the next board
- your opponent may be fiddling with one, have a few on the left and a few on the right.
In short the only good way to check the material balance is to look at the board.
But with Fritz in fast time controls, I think someone of my level needs this Fritz feature, at least until I get good enough to quickly see these material imbalances. I understand what you mean by it being a bad habit, but sometimes you have to deal with the immediate problem at hand, and you don't have the luxury of trying to develop this "material vision" in the heat of battle.
Originally posted by zebanoI always place one of the pieces I've captured behind the clock because some players look beside the board, instead of at it, to determine the material balance.
Just look at the board. Having to view the pieces off the board is a bad habit because often times at tournaments,
- a player may have a few extra pieces (especially extra queens)
- the pieces may mix with the captured pieces from the next board
- your opponent may be fiddling with one, have a few on the left and a few on the right.
In short the only good way to check the material balance is to look at the board.