What can chessbase 9 do that fritz 12 cannot

I have a megadatabase 2009 coming and have seen how it works in fritz 12. Was wondering what features specifically I was missing by not purchasing chessbase 9. (Not 10).

Anybody seen megadatabase 2007 and 2009 and knows the difference?

Chessbase gives you a Reference pane which generates a list of games where the current position was played, showing the players, their elos and the game continuation.  You can sort the list by clicking on the headers.  You can also create opening keys that can be applied to any database, giving you quick access to the games played in specific lines.  It strikes me that the search features of Chessbase are a little more advanced, and also more of the engine parameters are supported than in Fritz.  Chessbase also gives you access to their online database, and you can download games from TWIC with a single click.

I figured with the price of chessbase there had to be some additonal features. Oh well I'll stick with the mega in fritz. Thanks

I am considering getting the Mega Database. I also have Fritz 12, but I don't have chessbase. On the Chessbase website, it says the system requirements are Chessbase 10/11 or Chessbase Light Premium, but it doesn't mention Fritz. You said you would stick with Mega in Fritz, so I was wondering; did it work? (I'm hoping I won't have to buy chessbase too)

It's kind of hard to search for games in Fritz, and navigate around the different lists.  If you are going to splurge on Mega, you might want to consider going whole hog, and picking up Chessbase Light 2009 Premium or Chessbase 10 or 11 as well or if you are on a tight budget, you could just buy Chessbase Light 2009, and then download a free archive of games like Icofy or Millionbase.

I might get chessbase anyway, but for right now I just want to know if it will work in Fritz.

Definitely works in fritz. I take it your trying to get just the megadatabase and not the whole chessbase package which is about 300 bucks. The megadatabase is the best software I have ever had. Really nice commentaries (hundreds of thousands) from the professionals. They explain for example book says 3)a6 and 3) b5 and 3 d5 with so many games you'll get the reasons why the pros are choosing a6 or b5 or why not d5. Its really nice.

As for does it work in Fritz. Works just like any other database and sorts very quickly. The one thing you won't get that you would in chessbase is the photos which to some is very important . In the chessbase premium (not chessbase light which is free and can only hold so many games. Not even enough for megadatabase. Instead of chessbase light I would even purchase a cheap copy of like fritz 7) But anyway in chessbase premium you will get all the professional photos and elo's ect which to some people is a very nice feature to have.

But for a couple of hundred bucks cheaper fritz whatever and megadatabase work very well together. A definite buy.

I just opened up Mega Database in Fritz.  You cannot edit the opening key, the columns in the game lists are not clickable, there is no reference pane nor 'find novelty' feature.  There is no player name nor tournament name key.  However, you can search for particular player names or positions, but not maneuvers, sacrifices nor endgames.  Those seem to be some of the main differences.

Well, that's okay. I'm mainly getting it for the annotated games anyway. As long as I can view games and their annotations, I don't care about the playerbase. (Also, I only need to search with basic information like Name and Date. I don't need sacrifices or maneuvers.)

Open up fritz and do searches with annotations or with best game or with best endgame. best opening plan. These all work with megadatabase in fritz 12.

They do say you need chessbase I had even asked support from chessbase and the only differece is you don't get the photo's. and openings pane window. You kind of get that in fritz 12 anyway.  The search is excellent buy the way depending on the speed of your computer. A faster processor gives a faster search

OK, thanks benonidoni and rigamagician for your helpful information!

Sure. Not trying to sell the product. I don't get anything from it. I just think its a very nice product but with chessbase very expensive. Someone who cannot afford to put out 300 bucks can still get many of the major features at around150 or so and incorporate it in there fritz database.

Have you tried downloading The Week in Chess into Fritz 12? My computer keeps opening TWIC file in Chess Base Light.

I've heard thats a great resource for a database. I have the megadatabase and don't want to get to many games crowded into fritz. just my preference.

Since CB Light has a database limit, I keep my main database in Fritz 12, which won't open TWIC. When the download completes, and it asks me what program to open it with, I choose Fritz 12 but TWIC opens in CB Light anyway. Very Frustrating.

It should be possible to put the twic into fritz. Maybe not though because its not a chessbase product. Could try downloading the twic to desktop as save and then go into the fritz 12 database the press open (file). My open the file up in fritz12????????

Download TWIC pgn format. Open fritz 12 open database open (window then shows desktop change format from .cbh to .pgn and you have the 2000 or whatever games were played this week.  2302 games

Well, I received the Megabase, and it is working just fine in Fritz! Also, I was very surprised when I opened the package and found a free issue of Chessbase Magazine with my order! (From February of 2010)

I found a loophole: First, I downloaded the Chessbase Reader. Then, I put the Megabase DVD into my computer. The Chessbase Reader automatically opened with the Megabase, and it has all the search features that come with Chessbase Light, like the ones you listed above. So, it's like using Chessbase light Premium, with no game limit, the ability to cut, paste, etc.