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1/5 |
Overcomplicated, difficult to learn, and a CPU hog
(February 11, 2008) |
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Fritz chess is indeed an intelligent chess program and could probably whip most grand masters easily, but for the average chess player, Fritz is way over the top and offers little in terms of a chance to get better.
To start the complications, you have to decide which type of game you want to play: blitz, long, friend, or sparring. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? I just want to play chess. To further complicate things, each mode has a different way of setting the difficulty, and if you think you've set up your opponent for an easy win, you may be wrong. I found out that I get the least annoyances out of the friend mode. Fritz adjusts the handicap according to my win/loss record. However, Fritz seems to make these inane blunders in the endgame because it always plays a perfect opening (which I am unfamiliar with) up to the 20th move after which my position is destroyed and I have lost material. Then, after it realizes that the database has no more moves, it starts ignoring my queen after I have made an obvious blunder that would lose it to a normal player.
Aside from the gameplay, Fritz has way too many menu options and an overcomplicated layout. Just trying to resign is a headache.
Fritz hogs the CPU like you wouldn't believe and can run down my Dell M60 laptop in under an hour. (I mean how hard is it to beat me??? It should take 1 millisecond of CPU time to come up with a good move against a mediocre player).
I am looking for a chess program that will give a good postgame analysis. I'd like to know where I missed good moves and even if the computer let me off with a weak move. Fritz gives this info in real-time, but by picking out the best moves, I simply emulate what the computer would do if it were playing itself.
I want my money back! |
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5/5 |
Wow!
(October 23, 2007) |
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I can't believe this product is available at this price. Okay, downsides: the interface is a bit crappy; do not buy this product thinking it is going to be a beautiful virtual teacher from basics of chess; it's purely unnecessary to market this with the videos they bundle in; it is not a fully streamlined user experience. Upsides: my god, the chess it plays; the sheer interest of what it does have to offer. Assuming you have a few books on strategy and simple tactics to hand or already mastered, this is the only chess prog you will need. There are also many great features in terms of game analysis, which can help anyone improve their own game. It handles levels well - although you might note that it does adjust levels by throwing away a move or two at some points (including, this playing with the app at a 100 point/1 pawn handicap, when it was in a technically won endgame position - never did victory taste so stale!). I assure you: there is nothing better on the market. Books to accompany would be anything from the dummies guide through Batsfords Modern Chess Openings - well, some things books do better, but this is the best. |
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5/5 |
Great software for the serious and not so serious chess player
(April 27, 2007) |
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I purchased Fritz 10 and Chessmaster 10th edition at the same time as I was looking for chess programmes which firstly I stood a chance of beating as well as a top quality analysis tool for games I have played at club level.
Although the video card on my PC does not appear to fully support the 3D images on either programme I am not greatly concerned as I am very comfortable playing the 2D versions. There has been some criticism of previous Fritz programmes not being user friendly but I must say that although I am still new to the game and have not explored all the various options, I have so far not experienced any real problems and have in fact added several games to the database which I can retrieve without any difficulty whatsoever. In fact I had far greater problems in installing Chessmaster to my PC than I had with Fritz.
On opening the DVD box I was delighted to find that there was an English language user manual and I have to say that I much prefer having an actual instruction book by my side rather than having to look up a manual on screen every time I want to find something out about the game.
While Chessmaster is probably the better option for youngsters and indeed adults learning the game or for the more casual player, Fritz is an absolutely brilliant analysis tool for the regular player from chess club level upwards. It is also possible to adjust the playing level on Fritz in order to have a fighting chance of winning games played against the computer. |
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4/5 |
A first rate analysis tool
(April 15, 2007) |
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Comparing chess programs on rating alone is not much use for any but the most advanced player, apart from top GMs most of us can't tell if a computer is playing at 2910 or 2915 Elo. More useful is comparing which program offers the best features for the user. Here it is very much a question of horses for course with the Fritz 10 vs Chessmaster 10th edition debate. Chessmaster is easier to use, has better tutorials and offers a wider range of opponent strength. Fritz excels in the analysis department. Put a game into chessmaster and you generally are told valuable comments such as "this attacks your opponents rock"; fritz will offer full lines of analysis when you put a game in, will keep you apprised of the rough strength of your position (how many 100ths of a pawn you are up or down) and illustrate different lines of the screen. Whether to buy fritz or chessmaster therefore boils down to what you want to use the program for. Less experienced players, those wanting fun matches or those wanting something easy to use should opt for chessmaster. Anyone 130 and above who wants a tool to analyse their games should be thinking about Fritz.
The difference: Chessmaster is a game, fritz is a tool.
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