I'm looking into buying either Hiarcs, Shredder, Fritz, or Chessmaster, but I'm not really too sure which one I should go for. I've looked at the various features of each of these programs, however it would be nice to see how they stack against each other. I'm a casual player (1550 on Yahoo), so any of those programs would be more than a match for me, but I'm looking for something that also will play different styles, for instance, something that will gambit hard at the beginning of the game and then play as hard as possible to try and catch back up, or something that can come down to my level and play me. Also, I would like software that will help me analyze my games, and is fairly intuitive to use. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help.
Originally posted by mjordan2ndGame 725818
I'm looking into buying either Hiarcs, Shredder, Fritz, or Chessmaster, but I'm not really too sure which one I should go for. I've looked at the various features of each of these programs, however it would be nice to see how they stack against each other. I'm a casual player (1550 on Yahoo), so any of those programs would be more than a match for me, but d is fairly intuitive to use. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help.
Edit: This is not a cheating accusation of the players involved in this game.
Originally posted by GalaxyShieldNo offense Mr. Shield, but what in the heck does that post have to do with the question that was asked? I know the history of what you are saying, but how on Earth does it apply to this new member? Just wondering.
Game 725818
Edit: By posting this game, I am not in any way accusing or insinuating that either player used outside illegal assistance in their games.
Originally posted by BLReidNo offense taken, I can see what you mean, and mostly agree with it. It gives a glimpse at how some of the better ones (the one IM was using) play in different parts of a game.
No offense Mr. Shield, but what in the heck does that post have to do with the question that was asked? I know the history of what you are saying, but how on Earth does it apply to this new member? Just wondering.
Originally posted by mjordan2ndChessmaster is decent for what you're looking for. It can analyze games and you can customize it to what you're looking to play. I don't know/haven't heard much about Fritz, Shredder, or Hiarcs though, so I'm not sure what they have to offer.
I'm looking into buying either Hiarcs, Shredder, Fritz, or Chessmaster, but I'm not really too sure which one I should go for. I've looked at the various features of each of these programs, however it would be nice to see how they stack against each other. I'm a casual player (1550 on Yahoo), so any of those programs would be more than a match for me, but ...[text shortened]... d is fairly intuitive to use. Anyone have any suggestions. Thanks in advance for your help.
It's fun setting up a match between the Chessmaster and Bobby Fischer, too.
Originally posted by GalaxyShieldOK, fair. But mjordan probably has no idea how to interperet the reference. Moving along, I own Fritz8, but have yet to take advantage of it's analysis features, which are it's strong point to my understanding. Chessmaster will give you a nice variety of preprogrammed personalities to battle with, each with their own play style. It also includes tutorials that have been rated as very good to very bad, depending on who you ask. I'd guess that they must have value to a 1500-ish player. The only recommendations I'd make is to try to get a copy of an older software package because it will be plenty strong and feature packed, an it will be alot cheaper than the latest and greatest. Fritz8 and CM9000 come to mind, or you can download Crafty for free (I think).
No offense taken, I can see what you mean, and mostly agree with it. The reason I posted that was so there would be a chance to see how the top engines play against each other. I'm not sure what actual engines the players used, but it gives a glimpse at how some of the better ones (the one IM was using) play in different parts of a game.
EDIT- You beat me to it.
Originally posted by BLReidTrue, I probably should've/could've put a little more information with the link then just the game itself. Would've saved me a lot of explaining myself 😛.
OK, fair. But mjordan probably has no idea how to interperet the reference. Moving along, I own Fritz8, but have yet to take advantage of it's analysis features, which are it's strong point to my understanding. Chessmaster will give you a nice variety of preprogrammed personalities to battle with, each with their own play style. It also includes tutorials th ...[text shortened]... 000 come to mind, or you can download Crafty for free (I think).
EDIT- You beat me to it.
I agree with what you said from what I've heard. I would go with CM9k as well. 2 years ago it was 28$ so I would assume it's even cheaper now.
Get Shredder 10! It's clearly the strongest of those mentioned and it is a great tool for analysis. Furthermore, it should have a better endgame than any other engine. Also, remember that the Chessbase version has the same features as Fritz, Hiarcs or any other Chessbase program. So, that would mean that by buying Shredder, you get the strongest Chessbase program with some innovative features and all the features every other Chessbase engine has. This is because they all share the Fritz interface.
It can also adjust its level and you could tweak its settings to create different personalities. However, since you get a free year at playchess.com, why bother playing Shredder's personalities? There are 2,000+ different personalities waiting at playchess.com at almost any hour.
I think I've narrowed down the choices for you to: Shredder 10 and Chessmaster 10. 😉
Chessmaster is no comparison to Fritz (or any other from the ChessBase line) for game analysis, online play, database features, and serious skill development. However, it offers an abundance of "personalities" and tutorials that are aimed at beginning players.
With the CM database, you are stuck with a tiny board (and none of the CM chess sets are very good, unless you're into 3D). Navigating from room-to-room in CM may be intuitive to some, but it strikes me as a consequence of chess software being designed by gamers, while Fritz is designed by chess professionals.
Fritz comes with an excellent database, and you can easily add many more. Adding games to the CM database or adding new databases is more difficult, and many users cannot find its PGN export feature. Fritz comes with a couple bonus engines (Crafty and Comet), you can get more from their website, and it supports UCI engines (of which more than 100 are available free). With CM, you get the King with its multiple personalities, and no more.
I play against Chessmaster X from time to time, and have looked at some of the tutorials. I use Fritz every day. Evaluation of my losses with Chessmaster is out of the question, although if I lacked access to Fritz I might do so (and I used CM 7000 this way several years ago because it was all that I had).
Arena is free. It lacks tutorials, but supports UCI and Winboard. It can perform game analysis that rivals Chessmaster (and can use stronger engines--Rybka, for example). I have 64 engines that run in Arena. All were free.
Originally posted by GalaxyShieldI believe that both of the players in the game involved were removed for violating 3(b). So whatever the winner was using would be better than what the loser was using? Is that your point GalaxyShield?
No offense taken, I can see what you mean, and mostly agree with it. It gives a glimpse at how some of the better ones (the one IM was using) play in different parts of a game.
Originally posted by Red NightYes, they were, IronMan is so far the most talked and re-talked about banning here.
I believe that both of the players in the game involved were removed for violating 3(b). So whatever the winner was using would be better than what the loser was using? Is that your point GalaxyShield?
My point was that the person wanted to see how engines play in different parts of the game/if they gambit and try to make up for it. Watching two engines play is a good insight to how they play.
Originally posted by GalaxyShieldI wonder what engines they were using?
Yes, they were, IronMan is so far the most talked and re-talked about banning here.
My point was that the person wanted to see how engines play in different parts of the game/if they gambit and try to make up for it. Watching two engines play is a good insight to how they play.
