Is it worth upgrading the software?

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chessjelly

On the PC, I've got Fritz 10, Chess King 3 Max, Chessmaster 10th ed, Deep Shredder 12 and Houdini 2 Aquarium pro, which are mainly used for casual analysis and for database searches of old games to play through.

I'm looking at some of the newer stuff and it's now between Hiarcs Chess Explorer vs the newish Fritz 13.

But, will any of those 2 give me any significant advance and features over my older programs? Hiarcs chess explorer has some good reviews but I'm leaning toward Fritz 13 because 'you can't go wrong with Fritz'.

Mandy711

If you plan to buy a new software like Fritz 13 or Hiarcs Chess Explorer, I suggest you buy the latest database like Megadatabase 2013 instead. There are thousands of annotated masters' games to learn from. The database also includes keys where you can search for tactics, endgames, etc,

The_Cosmologist

Deep Fritz 14 is out now. You may consider that over 13.

http://en.chessbase.com/post/deep-fritz-14-faster-better-cheaper

chessjelly
The_Cosmologist wrote:

Deep Fritz 14 is out now. You may consider that over 13.

http://en.chessbase.com/post/deep-fritz-14-faster-better-cheaper

I'm wondering whether F14 might use more memory and cpu. If it's 'cheaper' (I'm sure they mean, Less expensive...) then it looks good. As to Megadatabase, that looks nice but I'm looking more towards a Swiss Army knife chess app with good analysis features.

Roma60

i think it deppens on your rating. with me iam 1350 to 1450 and happy at the moment with chess king 3  chessmaster and fritzs 13 they help me with looking at master games while playing and studying books. but its all about how much time you have got to study. and of course the money your willing to spend. in a way we can keep buying thinking we will get better buy buying the late software and chess books.  but i think  keep studying with the old software and books over and over again this will make you improve it takes time even years to be a good chessplayer. good luck.

chessjelly

@Roma60

Agree. The old software is good enough but there are useability issues:  Chess King 3 has a clumsy and poor gui; you cannot undock & resize the windows and the whole page is locked to one design, one colour, one size, one mode - almost a dealbreaker. Otherwise a good product.

chessjelly

Then again, I could go Scid vs. PC + Stockfish DD ... for $nothing.

hakim2005

believe me there is no differnces between Fritz or deep fritz 13 and deep fritz 14, same functions

Keraktes

Buy a membership here instead..