12 is stronger than classic. Deep will use 4 processors if you have them.
Shredder: Classic, 12 or Deep 12
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Did you click on this link? (not too hard to find)
http://www.shredderchess.com/chess-info/features/shredder-versions-comparison-chart.html
Yes @EscherehcsE. As I say in my post, their website isn't very helpful. I was looking more for someone who may have had experience using them rather than shredder's basic site description. How does shredder analyze games? Is the opening book just a series of moves that I can find somewhere online for free (like chess.com) or is it worth paying to own it? And are the upgrades really worth it as well. Thanks
I'm a Windows Shredder 12 guy, so maybe a Mac Shredder guy will weigh in. But I'd hope that the features would be similar across the different platforms.
The analysis is handled similarly to most other popular interfaces. You can either analyze each move of a game manually, or just have Shredder automatically analyze the entire game. In automatic analysis mode, Shredder will only analyze from the last move in the game to the first move. Last-to-first is supposedly more accurate, but it would be nice to at least have the option of analyzing from first-to-last. In automatic analysis mode, Shredder will add the best line to each move, and it will produce an evaluation graph of the game. And if the opening book is active, it will skip the analysis of any book moves. I don't think the Shredder analysis features are as comprehensive as something like Scid, but the basic features are there.
I'm not an opening book expert, but I'd imagine that the Shredder book is decent. But I'd also guess that you could find comparable free opening books on the internet. I don't think I'd buy Shredder just for the opening book. I will add that if you're using Shredder on line, you can tap into a much larger online opening book.
I can't speak to the upgrade question; Shredder 12 is my only purchase so far.
A few minor drawbacks -
At least in the Windows version, the 3-D piece set selection was limited and not really to my liking, but since I only use 2-D boards, this wasn't really a factor for me.
Seems I remember that when you're running engine-engine tournaments, the engines can only run full-strength. (That is, they can't participate in tournaments at reduced strength levels.)
One big plus - The Shredder programs are well debugged.
Does anyone know the pros vs cons of functionality/price for these 3 chess programs? Their website isn't helpful. I have a mac so my choices seem pretty limited (chessmaster won't even play on my copmuter anymore). Thanks!
THANK YOU!