Introduction
Late in 1999, Chessbase introduced an upgraded version of Fritz. Serious chess fanatics that do not yet own Fritz should probably not bother to read this entire review, but should simply just buy a copy. The program is easy to use, and has an incredible number of features. Users of Fritz 5 should consider upgrading for either the new engine or the new interface, which now adheres better to the windows standard way of operating GUI applications. The new interface is extremely functional, and has many nice little tweaks and visual improvements. For instance, there is now a separate database window, along with tabbed views of the chess tree and game score. There are a host of other minor enhancements, like automatic web publishing of tournaments, additional user interface tweaks, and improved automatic database indexing with built in keys.
While I usually do not comment on playing style, I will say a few words in this regard for this review. In retrospect, I noticed a large difference in style between Fritz 4 and 5 (the engine started to play a more positional game). I think the opening book was also improved greatly. However, with version 6, I have not noticed such a large difference. This is not bad in of itself, just an observation. In fact, I was all set to report that there were only minor changes in the engine from Fritz 5.32 to Fritz 6.
Since this review was originally written, Chessbase has released a free update to Fritz 6. It includes both a stronger chess engine, and some enhancements to several program features. With the update installed, Fritz users can now enable (or disable) the use of time controls in Friend, Sparring and Handicap modes). For those that are not familiar with these modes, I have provided the following explanations:
Friend mode adjusts Fritz's playing strength to match your own, based on your win/loss statistics against the engine. In Sparring mode, the program will deliberately make tactical mistakes, and is probably the closest thing to playing a fallible human. In Handicap mode, you can modify playing style, piece values and playing strength.
This update is available for free to all registered users of the program.
I will now provide a brief summary of the program for those users that do not have Fritz already (shame on you!)...
A Brief Description of Fritz 6
Fritz is a tool primarily for the serious chess player. It does not have a lot of extraneous graphics like Chessmaster, just a well designed, attractive GUI. Fritz supports just about any time control that you want to use, including Fischer, blitz, tournament, time/move, etc. The program can talk to you, by making wisecracks and announcing moves (good if you are using an external board). And speaking of chess boards, Fritz was designed to work directly with the DGT electronic board.
Because today's commercial playing programs are so strong, Fritz has many ways to handicap computer strength. For instance, you can specify a desired ELO that the computer will play at, as well as choose different chess engines and personalities to play against. So while Fritz 6 contains the Fritz 6 playing engine, it also includes a whole host of other playing engines as well (see the list in the Strengths section, below). You can also modify the openings that Fritz will play by using it's built in chess tree (which shows you how often opening moves are played, and how well they score). You can modify any parameter in the tree, which allows you to customize the program's choice of openings. There is also support for endgame databases, which allows Fritz to play perfectly in certain types of endgame situations.
If you are the kind of person that likes to play one engine against another, it is very easy to do in Fritz. You just set up the engines you want, along with the time controls, and let the computer work away.
If you want to analyze your games, Fritz will provide automatic annotation of single or multiple games, along with graphical devices (arrows, colored squares) to illustrate key concepts. Promising alternatives to the moves played in the game are incorporated into the game score as variations, not just comments. Fritz can also use its database of games to automatically insert references to games that are similar to the one being analyzed.
Maintaining game collections is also easy. Fritz has full-blown chess database functions built into the program. For instance, you can conduct a full variety of searches for position, game header (players, location, year, etc.), opening, material etc. Copying games between databases is also easy because the program remembers previously opened files (although there is no drag-and-drop).
A review like this can only scratch the surface of the many features that this program offers. The Strengths section (shown below) mostly concentrates on newer features, and most of the old features are not listed. If you have some doubt that the program will do what you want, then I would suggest you go to Chessbase USA and look at Steve Lopez's T-notes, or go to the Chessbase home page. The program literally has too many features for me to list.
This is the benchmark playing program for chess fans.
Strengths:
- An improved GUI, which I like better than the old Fritz 4/5 style (YMMV).
- A wider range of sparring levels over Fritz 5.32, so that a wider range of players can beat the computer (in sparring mode, Fritz will purposefully make some tactical errors).
- A pick list has been added to the database window - this makes multi-database operations (like copying games) much easier.
- The theme keys have been made very easy to use. While there is no provision to create your own themes (you need Chessbase for this), the included keys cover a lot of ground. It makes accessing games by positional features much easier and more transparent to the user.
- The manual has been rewritten and redesigned. While it now comes in a small booklet, it's clarity has been improved. There is also an improved HTML help file.
- The obnoxious audio comments that the computer makes are funnier than in previous versions (note: this feature can be disabled if you so desire).
- There are a few additional options for setting book move usage. While the basic operation remains unchanged from Fritz 5.32, there is now a 'handicap' button which will shut book learning off, and increase the number of openings that Fritz will play.
- There are a large number of engines included for free with the program: Fritz 1.20, Fritz 3.10, Fritz 4.01, Fritz 5.32, Fritz 5.00, Fritz 6, Doctor 2, Doctor 3, Comet B06, Crafty 16.18, and Exchess 2.51. In addition, you have support for many winboard engines too. You can also buy other Chessbase engines like Junior and Nimzo to run under the Fritz 6 interface.
- You can now have multiple kibitzers for a game you are playing (the kibitzers are extra engines that give you advice while playing). This also provides another way to handicap the program, since the kibitzers will weaken the play of the primary engine.
Weaknesses:
- The computer still plays extremely quickly at the lower ELO levels. This is fine in blitz games, but is a bit unnerving in slower games.
Copy Protection:
Must install from CD.
|
CHESS
SETS FROM AMERICA'S LARGEST CHESS STORE
Chess USA is America's leading retailer of chess sets, chess pieces, chess boards, and more. In fact, for 30 years Your Move Chess & Games has been the leading retailer of all things chess! Not everyone can view the hundreds of chess sets we have on display in our New York Chess Store, which is why we strive to have the most detailed chess website anywhere on the internet. After All, with over 2,000 chess sets, chess boards, chess pieces, chess computers and more, we need to be detailed! No matter what you are looking for, from chess set or chess program, our knowledgable staff is ready to help.
Have a Chess Set already, and just need to freshen up on the rules? We've got them - just click here
Your Move Chess & Games, America's Largest Chess Set Store.
It's Your Move!
|
