Mike, ChessBase comes with engines, just not the latest ones. I use ChessBase, and I love it. I use the online database all the time. It's a wonderful tool to learn an opening. It allows you to search for any position, and then gives you all the games that were played from that position, as well as aggregate scores for white and black for each move from that position. It has all kinds of features, and is an incredibly powerful tool. It's been a while since I bought Fritz as a stand alone, but the thing I like about it is that it would analyze your games. Also a great tool. I just picked up CB 15 and I love it. It came with the Fritz 13 engine and access to all kinds of engines online. As to the ChessBase instructional videos, you can play those on a free ChessBase reader that comes with it or which can be downloaded.
Chess Software for Playing and Analysis.
Thanks, Chuck, So the new CB comes with Fritz 13? I see so many combinations but did not see that one.
How hard is it to get started and what level did you buy to get Fritz with it?
I think some clarification of terms is in order.
chess engine - the chess brain which does the calculation
GUI - graphical user interface, a user-friendly way to interact with a chess engine
chess database - primarily to store games, with computer analysis tools
A chess engine is the raw computer-playing engine. In general, a chess engine does not come with its own graphical user interface. The most user-friendly way to interact with a chess engine is with a GUI.
A GUI allows one to interact with a chess engine in a user-friendly way. In the old days, Winboard/Xboard was a popular and free GUI. Over the years, Arena has overtaken Winboard as the popular free GUI. There are also commercial (paid) GUIs which are sold with an accompanying engine, such as the Fritz 16 GUI + Fritz 16 engine, Fritz 16 GUI + Komodo 12 engine, Fritz 15 GUI + Houdini 6 engine, Fritz 12 GUI + Hiarcs 13 engine,
For a free chessplaying experience, Arena + Stockfish is a good GUI + engine combo. However, for human vs computer chessplaying, a weaker engine with variable strength settings is preferred. An interesting chessplaying alternative is Lucas Chess.
Chessbase is primarily a chess database. It has the ability to use a chess engine for analysis and is packaged with the Fritz 13 to assist with this.
Free chess database programs include SCID vs PC and ChessX. You can either with an analysis engine like Stockfish.
The two broad categories of chess software usage are:
- play chess
- games database
Most GUIs used to play chess also have basic database functions. A database program might also have basic chess playing functions.
If you want to play an engine, get a GUI + engine combo.
If you want to store, analyze and review games, get a database program.
Wouldn't CB come with a GUI so its friendly?
Chessbase is primarily a database program. Its GUI is optimized for that function. Chessbase is not a chessplaying program.
yes, I believe Fritz 16 is the brand new edition.
Thanks, I did not know, so if I wait they will have a huge discount on #16 when they come out with #17 soon. Right now I can buy #16 for $55 delivered.
Lucas chess is awesome and its free. Comes with a bunch of engines already loaded including Stockfish, Komodo etc. Set it to alert you of updates and it will keep your engines updated. I just got Stockfish 10 replacing 9. Puzzles, tactics, games against various strength engine opponents, timed or untimed games, games with tutor analysis after every move. Lots of features.
I'd suggest downloading it and seeing if there is anything you need that it doesn't do. Nothing to lose to try it.
While I have and like both Fritz 16 and Chessbase 15 (i.e. I like that companies products), I agree that downloading Lucas Chess is a good idea. If nothing else, it will give you something to play with while you wait for Fritz 17. It comes with many free engines that you can still use with Fritz if/when you get it.
While I have and like both Fritz 16 and Chessbase 15 (i.e. I like that companies products), I agree that downloading Lucas Chess is a good idea. If nothing else, it will give you something to play with while you wait for Fritz 17. It comes with many free engines that you can still use with Fritz if/when you get it.
So you don't advocate for purchasing Fritz 16 at this time?
No, personally, I would wait.
No, personally, I would wait.
Why would you wait? Have you heard good things about Fritz 17?
I'm still on Fritz 10 (with the latest free Stockfish) and may upgrade at some point, but I've seen little in the reviews on Fritz 11->16 to make me think it's worth the effort
No, personally, I would wait.
Why would you wait? Have you heard good things about Fritz 17?
I'm still on Fritz 10 (with the latest free Stockfish) and may upgrade at some point, but I've seen little in the reviews on Fritz 11->16 to make me think it's worth the effort
You are in a different position than the OP.
The OP doesn't own any Fritz version, therefore if it's a matter of waiting a few weeks or months for the newest iteration, why not wait?
On the other hand, you already have an older Fritz version that you seem satisfied with.
The OP doesn't own any Fritz version, therefore if it's a matter of waiting a few weeks or months for the newest iteration, why not wait?
One reason would be to buy an older version now, in order to save money and save waiting.
It was a genuine question about version 17 - but every year they come out with a new version, every year I look at what's new and think - nope, still can't be bothered
I did some research and it was 11/15 when Fritz 15 came out and 11/17 when Fritz 16 came out, 2 years in between the last update. Since I no longer buy green bananas I think I will opt for Fritz 16 for $55 delivered off of a chess vendor.
I did some research and it was 11/15 when Fritz 15 came out and 11/17 when Fritz 16 came out, 2 years in between the last update. Since I no longer buy green bananas I think I will opt for Fritz 16 for $55 delivered off of a chess vendor.
Now you have to decide between the Fritz 16 or the Komodo 12 engine. Both come with the Fritz 16 GUI.
Komodo seems to be stronger than Fritz, based on performance in the Computer Chess Championship Rapid and Computer Chess Championship Blitz. It's also in the top 4 in the current Computer Chess Championship Rapid Redux.
Thanks, Chuck, So the new CB comes with Fritz 13? I see so many combinations but did not see that one.
How hard is it to get started and what level did you buy to get Fritz with it?
My pleasure, Mike. I've bought ChessBase since ChessBase 8, and it's always come with an engine, just not the latest and greatest. I've always like tinkering with databases, so I found it pretty easy to use, though I hardly use all its functionalities. What are you looking to do with what you get?
Looking for some help here. What mainly is the difference between a program I have to pay for, looking at Fritz 16 on sale now for $55 or a totally free program as Stockfish? Not looking for the strongest program. Looking for ease of user interface.
Maybe I should ask some questions you may want to answer if you can be so kind:
Does one program have so many features which would translate into benefits than the other?
As I understand even though these are chess engines they still are stand alone as far as a playing and analysis capability goes?
Do they both serve also as mini databases inside the program?
Do you have to purchase separate programs for Fritz 16 for openings and endgames?
I notice many use a database product then add a chess engine. Is ChessBase not only a database but does it also include an engine that will analyze and play?
Just a little confused,