No on which has the strongest engine...they are both able to beat me solidly, and I have no desire to use them as "engines" to play others.
But for "database search" -- learning, using them in VALID ways -- is there a reason people here like Fritz so much? I already own Chessmaster 10th -- and I have a connection to the internet (duh!) so I can use internet databases as well.
I guess I'm wondering -- is there a reason for me to buy Fritz as well, or will Chessmaster 10th be enough?
Is there a link to a site that gives tips on HOW to go about using your database etc. in corr chess play?
Lee
Originally posted by nonnymooseFritz is more professional than chessmaster. Chessmater is aimed at the casual player who is just looking to play a few games of chess against the computer. Fritz is a GUI that supports piles and piles of engines, (you can even get a UCI protocol from the chessbase website) a fairly good database feature and just about everyting else you would expect from a chess program.
No on which has the strongest engine...they are both able to beat me solidly, and I have no desire to use them as "engines" to play others.
But for "database search" -- learning, using them in VALID ways -- is there a reason peopl ...[text shortened]... OW to go about using your database etc. in corr chess play?
Lee
I guess the difference between the two is easiest to see in board style selection (although it runs true through out all the features), in CM10 you have to win X number of games before you get to pick certain boards (How sad is that?) In fritz you can do it straight away and drop any design you want on the board, even ones you just made up in paintshop.
Its like compairing lego to real buildings
Originally posted by nonnymooseTo reply to the second part of your question.
No on which has the strongest engine...they are both able to beat me solidly, and I have no desire to use them as "engines" to play others.
But for "database search" -- learning, using them in VALID ways -- is there a reason peopl ...[text shortened]... OW to go about using your database etc. in corr chess play?
Lee
I use databases a bit on RHP. A times more, other times less, dpending on how many games I have going. I mainly use them to look up opening variations. When I have less games, i'll follow the opening all the way down a databases line as far as it goes then take a good look at the game in the database to see if there are intresting ideas which I can transfer into my own game. I'll give you an example.
Game 823619
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1012340
My play would have probably been a bit different if I hadnt of looked at the database game.
Originally posted by nonnymooseIf you are a pretty serious player, Fritz and Chessbase are becoming almost essential for the amount of functions they offer. However the DB functions not overly useful unless you do play seriously - otherwise there are enough sites with online databases (the Chessbase one, www.chesslive.de being my favourite) which are totally adequate and save you the hundred dollars or whatever the software costs.
No on which has the strongest engine...they are both able to beat me solidly, and I have no desire to use them as "engines" to play others.
But for "database search" -- learning, using them in VALID ways -- is there a reason people here like Fritz so much? I already own Chessmaster 10th -- and I have a connection to the internet (duh!) so I can us ...[text shortened]... to a site that gives tips on HOW to go about using your database etc. in corr chess play?
Lee
Chessbase also used to provide a cut down freeware program, Chessbase Light, which may still be available - also great to build up little databases of your games or selected openings. A google search should throw it up.
Originally posted by mrpithersI'd like to extend the question. I downloaded ChessBase Light yesterday. Does this program give a pretty good indication of how useful CB9 would be, or is the current full version dramatically different? Also, I can't seem to find any sort of online manual for this program. Does one exist and does anyone have a link?
How useful is Chessbase? I've been thinking about getting Chessbase 9 but it's not exactly cheap . . .
Originally posted by SkorjSteve Lopez provides articles on chessbase use from early versions on, at Chessbase: http://www.chessbase.com/support/index.asp?cat=T%2DNotes+1998
I'd like to extend the question. I downloaded ChessBase Light yesterday. Does this program give a pretty good indication of how useful CB9 would be, or is the current full version dramatically different? Also, I can't seem to find any sort of online manual for this program. Does one exist and does anyone have a link?
I'm not sure if there are still any articles for Chessabse 6 (the version CB Light is based on), but the later articles should provide a good idea of what functionality can be available. There is also some limited help here: http://www.jackschess.com/CBHelp.htm
CB9 is a vastly different program with much more power; CB have recently revamped the interface and focused much more on providing an opening prep tool (or that's what it seems to me). If you find yourself frustrated at the limits of CB Light, then think about upgrading - but unless you play regularly in fairly high-level competition it probably is not worth the money.
I think the biggest difference between chessbase -light is the amount of games that can be stored.
I really like it but it took me a while to figure out all the functions.(still learning 2)
Basic windows knowledge is required to work with it.
You will find a lot of help in the T-notes, written by Lopez. This guy knows what he is talking about!!
www.chessbase.com/support/index.asp
Learux
Chessmaster is designed by gamers, with some help from professional chessplayers. It is easier to learn and more child-friendly than Fritz and ChessBase. The lessons in Chessmaster 10, and earlier editions, helps lay a solid foundation for the beginning player.
ChessBase products, including Fritz, are designed by chess professionals. The main engines--Fritz, Junior, Hiarcs, Tiger, Shredder--are a little bit stronger than King (the Chessmaster engine). ChessBase products can be intimidating for some users--but if most Windows functions have become intuitive, you'll find it easier than Chessmaster.
I used Chessmaster 2100, 3000, 4000, 5000, 5500, 6000, and 7000 extensively. Then I started using ChessBase Light. Eventually I bought CB 8 for features--database size, webpage creation, annotation features--that were not available in light.
CB 9 has features I'll develop a need for when I feel like justifying the need to buy it. For the price of Chessmaster, Fritz (or Hiarcs, etc.) has most of the database features you'll need, and far more than I've seen in Chessmaster. I have almost 50 engines that can play each other, or me, within the Fritz interface. More than a dozen of these can annotate games for me, and the annotations are far superior to what CM offers.
If you need help with Fritz and family, there are lots of places to go--chessbase.com, the ChessExchange, etc. If you need help with CM 10, you can wade through the ads for all the other UbiSoft games and find the forums at their website.
There are free database programs. Google SCID.