Fritz Chess 11 (PC DVD)

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Customer reviews

review by: foulplay date: 2008-10-23 rating:
One of the best commercial programs in the world at a bargain basement price
As previous reviews may have suggested there are at least 2 versions of this Chessbase product. The "Popular version", as offered here by Amazon is considerably cheaper than the one you would purchase directly through Chessbase or a specialist supplier. You would normally expect to pay between £35.00 and £40.00 for one of these. If you are simply looking for a silicon opponent to play against when you feel like it or perhaps to encourage a child to take up chess, this version here is exceptional value. The actual chess program looks virtually identical too.

The main difference appears to be that the cheaper version does not have the included subscription to the "Playchess.Com" website. This difference, in my opinion, is greater than it would first appear. Firstly you are denied the opportunity to play internet chess in a safe environment; with players of all ages from literally all over the world. This would give you a chance to practise regularly against people of a similar ability to yourself, and sometimes the opportunity to make new friends.

More importantly, however, "Playchess.Com" is the usual vehicle to obtain free program updates which are issued by Chessbase from time to time. These updates usually offer either enhanced program options or may even correct program bugs or faults as they become apparent. Given that Fritz 11 is likely to be around for at least another year before Fritz 12 arrives, the version on offer here will likely become out of date a lot quicker.

I'm surprised to see that Amazon state the platform for this program as being windows XP. The dearer version was specifically designed with windows Vista in mind although could still be used on XP. If you have windows Vista I would check very carefully with Amazon before buying.

The Fritz opening book is pre-programmed with a massive variety of chess openings and Fritz also knows all the rules of chess. A complete beginner with little preparation could take the white pieces for their first ever game with Fritz; confident that help was at hand if required. I recommend moving the King's pawn or Queen's pawn 2 spaces forward, initially, to receive an immediate move response from Fritz. This will be a correct reply to your chosen move. Make another move and if you still get an immediate response from Fritz you know you are playing the opening reasonably well. If instead Fritz starts to calculate moves, use the take-back facility to try something else. Aim to keep those immediate responses going for as long as possible and become familiar with a chess opening at the same time!

Notice too that Fritz faithfully records all the chess moves in algebraic notation. After a few games you too will begin to get the hang of this.
Once you gain confidence there are training facilities which will allow you to try a specific opening or test your endgame ability. The secret is to take your time.

The golden rule with any chess program is that one you can beat easily is of no use to you. At full strength Fritz will crush 90% of chess players with ease. Happily there are plenty of opportunities to weaken the program but use these wisely, the weaker the program the less sound any advice it gives you will be.

In my experience getting crushed by Fritz is good preparation for playing a human opponent; it is surprising how weak a human can appear to be after playing Fritz! The ultimate test is to play a rated game against Fritz. This mode closes all help options and unleashes Fritz at full strength against the clock. This is great fun when you are feeling confident but is not for the faint hearted. Expect to lose!

If you really want to improve your chess I recommend building your own database of any games you play at chess clubs against human opposition. Then get Fritz to analyse those games for you to tell you what you did right and what you did wrong. Even strong Grand Masters use this facility, and to my mind this is the best way to learn from the program.

Remember also, you are not just buying a chess program you are buying pretty versatile chess interface too. The chessboard and pieces look superb and are very easy to use. There are plenty of different board and sets designs to suit all tastes and the whole windows layout can be personally customised too.

Most importantly, you are not obliged to use Fritz as your main chess opponent either. Very often these software packages come with weaker engines such as "Comet" or Crafty" supplied free and if not, they are very easily downloaded for free from the main Chessbase website.

I have been playing chess since 1973 but it was not until the 90's when this sort of software started to become available that I really began to improve. That is how good these programs can be for your chess. You still need to put some work in but it ought to be considerably easier for you.

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review by: Chris H. date: 2008-10-20 rating:
Access to Chessbase server
You should note that despite a suggestion in the product description and one of the earlier reviews - this particular packaging of Fritz 11 does NOT include a subscription to the playchess.com server. No serial number is provided to create an account and you won't get a response from the publisher if you query this with them.
You CAN create a free 30 day guest account and extended (1 year) subscriptions can be purchased from Chessbase (about 30 euros).
As far as I can tell, this is the key difference between the green packaging sold here and the more expensive red packaging sold elsewhere.

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review by: date: 2008-03-21 rating:
Superb - for a club stabndard, or better player
A good range of features allow you to 'detune' it to your standard. [Necessary for everyone except a Grandmaster.]

Excellent DataBase of Games, Openings, Endgames etc.

Superb interface (the best there is), without necessarily being too flashy.

Out of the ChessBase stable, so its pedigree is unmatched.

Also gives free access to ChessBase.Com where players of all strengths from throughout the world can play against each other.


review by: soap1922 date: 2008-02-27 rating:
Good for serious players
This is an excellent program for strong players, club and tournament players,and for novices who want to study the game in some depth. If you are a social player who just wants to play against a computer now and then, you could save money by opting for a program with fewer facilities. The facilities that come with Fritz are not particulary helpful anyway. The "coach" and "hint" features are useless to a beginner and annoying to a strong player. I saw my King was being threatened, and asked for a hint. Up came the message 'the white king is under threat' In another game there was only one square available for my checked King. I could see that this would be followed by mate. I moved to that square to let the computer have its victory. Up pops "coach" to tell me that the move would lead to disaster!
I switched off both these feature along with "chatter", "spy" and various other annoying things I shall never use. To sum up: Buy this if you really want to improve your game and are prepared to put in the necessary work. The database of games is terrific.
If you just play for fun, and are happy to remain that way.choose a basic program with fewer frills.

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