Chess Software Options

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some feedback/advice on the various Chess software platforms that are out there, and as a complete novice to chess software hoping to understand the various terminology and products.

-- I'd like software that has a complete database of all games played (FIDE or whatnot) whatever games are on record. I'd like to be able to quickly search the database for a variety of players, GMs, openings, positions etc.

-- I'd like to be able to enter my own games that I've played and maintain a "My Games" database as well

- I'd like it to have a good engine to analyze mine, and others' games and walk through games,  advising on inaccuracies, mistakes and blunders similar to Chess.com's analysis engine

These would be the MUSt have features, I'm confused however by the plethora of software out on the market...I've heard of the following

SCID

Chessbase

Chessbase online?
Fritz? and the other one that starts with an R

Shredder chess

Stockfish

etc.

I'm looking for a DB / Engine combo, can someone enlighten me as to a great choice? I think some of the above may be just engines? (Stockfish) I dunno, help!

Thanks

Christian

Should we assume money is no object?

Well, I guess I'd like options on both ends of the financial spectrum, I see ChessBase is a little pricey, but if thats really the best option then I'll go for it.  But if there really is a comparable lower-cost option, I'd obviously entertain that.

Chessbase 13 Mega Package is what u want.

http://shop.chessbase.com/en/products/chessbase13_mega_package_engl ChristianLoew wrote:

Well, I guess I'd like options on both ends of the financial spectrum, I see ChessBase is a little pricey, but if thats really the best option then I'll go for it.  But if there really is a comparable lower-cost option, I'd obviously entertain that.

This is a much cheaper option. You dont need all that databse on your hard disk, just access live database. http://shop.chessbase.com/en/products/komodo_chess_9

Fritz has like 90% of the Chessbase functions that a non-master level chessplayer would use, for half the price. Yes, it has database functionality. 

The big chessbase program is better with database searching for specific things, and comes with a much bigger game database, but honestly, if you actually NEED that kind of firepower, you wouldn't be asking your question.

I do think Fritz/Chessbase has the best chess interface of all the chess reviewing software out there. I actually plug the free Stockfish engine to replace the Fritz engine, as I like its analysis better, but I bought Fritz for the GUI interface. 

Excellent feedback, thanks! Sounds like Fritz is my gig.

With the requirements you specified, I'd agree with the others that Fritz is the way to go.  I use the free Stockfish 7 engine with my copy of Fritz 15.  You can use the included Live database online for searches, etc. They also have a nice tactics trainer also. 

I have Fritz analyse all my games and create training questions for me. Then I can use my own game as a 'tactics trainer' also. I also have Chessbase 13.  If I had to chose just one, it would be Fritz because of the automated analysis it can do.

Komodo Chess 9 uses Fritz 15 GUI. Adding free Stockfish, you got the 2 best chess engines and the best GUI.

Mandy711 Does that come with a database of games also?

I think it has 1.5M games like like Fritz 15. And all functions of Fritz 15. The difference is the main engine only.

Chessbase did not mention about 1.5M games. email chessbase about this.

The cheap (as in free) option is Scid with a free database.  I own Chessbase and use Scid more often, personally.

You can get Scid at http://scid.sf.net and a free database at http://gorgonian.weebly.com/pgn.html