Getting better at chess?

Hi, would you guys say that it's better to play Fritz when its rating is cranked all the way up, for 1 hour a day, or Fritz with its rating closer to mine, for 1 hour a day?

Or, should I be playing Fritz for 30 minutes a day and spending 30 minutes analyzing games?

I think it would be better for you to buy, borrow or steal every tactics book you can find.  Find every website on tactics and solve every problem.

Ken Smith, who was one of Bobby Fischer's helpers when he won the World Championship, said that until you become 1800+ your first, middle and last name is "Tactics."

That being said:
I tend to play engines on their highest level because I want their best moves.  I don't ever believe that my opponent will play the horrible moves.  They always seem to find the best moves.  So, why let the engine be any different?

BTW--The person that taught me how to play never played down to me.  He was 1700 USCF.  I was a total beginner.  I played one game a day for 18 months before I finally won a game (never drew either!).  Boy that was a happy day!

IMHO, the key is to NEVER get discouraged.  Look at every game and learn from it.  Understand what you did wrong.

Probably the third option. As good as it is for your chess to play Fritz at its best, it won't help until you reach a certain point. marioleal has a good point with tactics, as you definitely need to get better at tactics at first. After knowing tactics really well, then it becomes a good time to learn the deeper stuff.