I know there are people who feel strongly one way or the other about the value of playing in this particular mode vs Fritz, but I was reading an article yesterday that stated, "A typical club player will have a handicap of between 150 and 300"
This caught my eye because I play a lot in friend mode and I haven't ever gone above maybe 75 or so, and I am playing on a very good machine. Right now it is 48.
So, I am curious. If you are someone who plays Friend Mode, what is your handicap?
Originally posted by Sam The ShamIt doesn't lock into friend mode. When you create a new game you can select what kind of new game you want. If you look on the pulldown menu you will see all the options for new games (friend mode, handicap, rated, etc).
I tried the friend mode and was suprised at how weak Fritz played when I set the handicap to 100. Now how do I turn the damn thing off? I ended up erasing the program and reinstalling to get it out of friend mode.
Originally posted by Sam The ShamHmm, to figure out how it works by maybe reading the manual or to reinstall the whole program. What would be easier? Choices choices...
I tried the friend mode and was suprised at how weak Fritz played when I set the handicap to 100. Now how do I turn the damn thing off? I ended up erasing the program and reinstalling to get it out of friend mode.
Originally posted by exigentskyFrom what I understand the Handicap setting is just a starting point in friend mode. After you play it adjusts to your actual strength.
Hmm, to figure out how it works by maybe reading the manual or to reinstall the whole program. What would be easier? Choices choices...
Originally posted by exigentskyTried the instructions first, it's not covered, but thanks for the smarmy comment and useless advice.
Hmm, to figure out how it works by maybe reading the manual or to reinstall the whole program. What would be easier? Choices choices...
I was using it the other day and I didn't really understand it. The number that comes up in the handicap box when you start a new game iss that your handicap or is it the level that the computer is playing at that it thinks you can beat. Either way which means you are a stronger player; a high handicap or a low one??
You have to play several games before the number is purported to mean anything. It is a handicap of sorts. It is supposed to be the hundredths of a pawn that it is giving up to equalize the game. Your 58 is a little over half a pawn.
However, if you haven't played using that mode then the number doesn't mean much. If you play with the setting on 58, then lose or draw, the next time you play the number will go higher. If you win the number will go lower. The theory being that it will ultimately find the setting where it gives you the most challenging game without savagely beating you every time.
In theory it seems like a great way to play versus Fritz, but given how few people have responded it is probably safe to say it isn't very popular among Internet chess players. If I had to guess I would say they probably tend to play more online than they do versus their engine.
My handicap is now -144, I have no idea what it means but I don't like friend mode anyway. I just played the following brilliant 'game' against it:
Zzyw - Fritz
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 e6 6. cxd4 d6 7. Bc4 Nc6 8. O-O Be7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Qe4 Ndb4 11. exd6 Bxd6 12. a3 Nd5 13. Nc3 Nf6 14. Qd3 Na5 15. Ba2 Nc6 16. Bc4 Re8 17. Re1 Na5 18. Ba2 Nc6 19. Bc4 Na5 20. Ba2 Nc6 21. Bc4 1/2-1/2
Horrible!
Originally posted by zzywFriend mode makes fritz stupid.
My handicap is now -144, I have no idea what it means but I don't like friend mode anyway. I just played the following brilliant 'game' against it:
Zzyw - Fritz
1. e4 c5 2. c3 Nf6 3. e5 Nd5 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nf3 e6 6. cxd4 d6 7. Bc4 Nc6 8. O-O Be7 9. Qe2 O-O 10. Qe4 Ndb4 11. exd6 Bxd6 12. a3 Nd5 13. Nc3 Nf6 14. Qd3 Na5 15. Ba2 Nc6 16. Bc4 Re8 17. Re1 Na5 18. Ba2 Nc6 19. Bc4 Na5 20. Ba2 Nc6 21. Bc4 1/2-1/2
Horrible!