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ChessBase 8 |
I do not own ChessBase 8 so I cannot write a lot about it, my information
is based on articles in several computer chess magazines. ChessBase did
not add many new functions, but considering the large amount of functions
contained in ChessBase 7 it is hard to invent new functions. An optical
re-design, the handling the internet- and multi-media-functions have been
realised and improved. Finally a position search within variations is
possible. If the many small improvements justify the update-prize of about
$80 is up to you to judge. I haven't updated yet, $80 is money one can
spend for other stuff. It is not possible for me to give a more detailed
description or to give advice to buy or not to buy, you better read articles
and reviews in computerchess magazines.
Update (Sept 2001): Recently I have bought the ChessBase 8 update and
will report here soon.
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ChessAssistant 6 |
ChessAssistant 6 is another program not contained in my collection. Just for trying
and testing, $150 is a bit too much for me.
Therefore I advice you again to read some articles and reviews in computerchess
magazines.
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ChessAcademy 6 |
I haven't been using the ChessAcademy for long, but two points came to my mind very fast:
First the handling is very unconvenient, it is not easy or evident how
to create a new database and save a new game. The second point is the ultimate
search function. The search speed and the quality in the provided database of
1,700,000 millions of games are excellent. The provided Winboard-engines are easy
to use and strong enough for background analysis. Other reviews say that the learn
modules are excellent too, I haven't had the time so far to verify this statement
but I believe it. So one can recommend the ChessAcademy for those who need and
work with the provided huge database and the learn modules. All the others who
want to create, edit, manage and use own databases will have to get used to the
unusual handling, because simple, common and often used functions are not available
in the menue and not easy to find.
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Chessmaster 8000 |
Chessmaster 8000 seems to be a two-face. Very different results, from absolutely bad
to absolutely fantastic irritate the computerchess interested folk. If the CM8000
really is stronger or weaker than the good old (but tuned) Chessmaster 6555 (settings
see Home), is not clear at the moment. However, I am sure that two factors play an
important role by disadvantaging Chessmaster: 1. the opening book has by far not
the quality other commercial chess programs opening books have; 2) the communication
from the user interface to the engine has caused some trouble in the past, information
given to the engine sometimes was wrong, the time control problem comes to mind where
the engine, in spite of 3 minutes per move, moved instantly. After my "Tiger or Pussycat"
tournament will be completed, I will do some more investigations on the Chessmaster 8000.
I do not want to believe the swedish SSDF list about Chessmaster, especially the results
against Fritz are, in my opinion of course, not appropriate and hurt Chessmaster's rating
a lot. One important reason may be the tremendous book learning by Fritz (Chessmaster
unfortunately has NO learning so far!), so what the list primary shows is the quality
of booklearning but does not reflect the real strength relations.
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Fritz 6 |
I am so free to say that Fritz and DeepFritz are the same kind of programs. :-)
The characteristics, playing style of both engines are almost the same. I call Fritz
the master of swindle. Eventually Fritz plays positional awful games which
make every chess player shake his head and wonder. On the other side Fritz has very
strong tactical capabilities make him evoke open positions. To reach them, Fritz sometimes
bites the dust and takes positional disadvantages but often have no negative effect.
Interesting for humans is that Fritz is the program that can be very easily beaten with
anti-computer-chess strategies, like the famous trojan. I myself tried it after reading an
article in the German computer chess magazine "ChessBits" about how to beat chess programs.
After two not very successful attempts I had no problem winning the next two game in a row.
Who is interested in such strategies should read the two articles, written by Eduard Nemeth,
or contact him directly. He has played several games in that style and posts games in several
German computer chess discussion groups. You may also contact him directly. Although I do not
like Fritz because of the kick-and-rush playing style, its success in computer-MATCHES
cannot be denied. Obvious is that Fritz very rarely wins computer chess TOURNAMENTS but
leading the swedish SSDF list since ages. The difference is obvious: the SSDF plays long
series of games, often 40 games which of course is different than tournaments with 7 or 9
games round-robin. One can conclude that Fritz "adjusts" to the opponent the longer the match
lasts. Or in computer chess language: the laerning algorithm seems to be more effective than
the learning algorithm in other chess programs. Unfortunately this leads to wrong
interpretations concerning the engine's real playing strength. To make it clear, I do not
want to disaccredit Fritz' playing strength, I just question the suggested superiority.
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Junior 6 |
Since version 5 Junior counts to the top-3 or top-5 programs in my opinion.
Junior often is underestimated because of the high search speed and
therefore absolutely unjustified titled as "stupid bean-counter". I cannot
agree to this opinion, absolutely not. The ones who played themselves against
Junior or who used Junior for background analysis understand what I mean.
Preferrably Junior is doing fine when the opponent's king can be attacked,
I would even say Junior plays with phantasy in such positions and has the
right "feeling". Each move a threat and lets the opponent hardly breathe.
Par excellence! And if you want to learn about dynamics and bishop pair,
play Junior. It is very unlikely that Junior will lose this game, it is more
likely that Junior wins...(if you have a good translation for "raumgreifendes"
please let me know), dynamic play, that is Junior's strength.
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Junior 7 |
The new Junior 7 seems to play more aggressive than its predecessor Junior 6.
In the games I have seen so far this is not very successful, 3.0-7.0
versus ChessTiger 14 look very clear. sure, it might be possible that
a) Chess
Tiger is the "Angstgegner" for the new Junior (Junior 6 was the only program
to win the 10-game match against ChessTiger 14!)
b) these are not enough games and
Junior 7 only had bad luck in these games
d) Junior 7 is just weaker than Junior 6
At the moment I cannot say to which point I tend (I do not want to believe in c)...).
It is evident that Junior 7 does not care much about the own material and often throws it
away for initiative, tempo and attack. But ChessTiger stands this play, maybe
Junior's new playing style is more successful against other programs or humans? This is just a
first impression and I admit I am curious about further testing, especially how the next
10-game-match versus GambitTiger 2 will end.
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Hiarcs 7.32 |
In spite of the age of 1 1/2 years Hiarcs still counts to the top-programs.
The reason for this can certainly be seen in the solid positional play.
Which does not mean that Hiarcs only plays boring games, the opposite! In
my "Tiger or Pussycat" tournament Hiarcs e.g. celebrated a rook sacrifice and
got four pawns for it, played to win! It was a thrilling endgame which ended
in a draw, but it shows Hiarcs potential and qualities. Hiarcs is a program
that noone should miss to have in his collection.
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Nimzo 8 |
In the reference list for chess programs, the SSDF, Nimzo 8 is even rated lower
than its predecessor. I am not able to say if this is true. It is fact that
Nimzo 8 shows genious as well as stupid moves but I admit all testing seem to
prove that between Nimzo 7.32 and Nimzo 8 there is almost no progress. Nimzo 8
still has no sound evaluation. To get a sound evaluation, other programs should
be taken. I must admit that Nimzo is the only program for me without "personality".
All other programs obtain some kind of personal character because of the playing
style. GambitTiger attacking without compromise, ChessTiger the positional and
tactical safe "Karpov", Shredder the strategist. I cannot find it for Nimzo, seems
to make moves without a plan or strategy, just fishing. However, since ages the
opening book is of highest quality.
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Shredder 5.32 |
Shredder 5.32 has been released recently, the first Shredder version sold and
distributed by ChessBase. That means that the functionality fits to the unified
ChessBase-standard like in Fritz, Junior, Nimzo, Hiarcs, so there is no need for
further description. My impression is that the new engine has improved a lot over
the version 4 (distributed by Millennium GmbH), especially the safety in the
middlegame. So that ChessTiger who dominated this area now has a serious competitor.
The games I have seen so far leave a well-balanced impression, absolutely a
recommendation! In my tournament Shredder is playing very well. After a
4.0-6.0 versus Chess Tiger, which has been an equal match except for the last two games,
the clear and deserved 7.5-2.5 versus Gambit Tiger shows how dangerous Shredder is for
all opponents. This is promising and I doubt that any other program will be able to beat
Gambit Tiger with such a result or in such a manner. The only negative point in the
Shredder package is the opening book. It is no adjusted opening book, but the same which
is sold with the ChessBase Tigers and lacks in several opening lines, e.g. Sokolski 1.b4
and Morra-Gambit. ChessBase seems to think that either this book is good enough or
Shredder is strong enough even with this book so that additional efforts for a new,
improved or adjusted opening book are not worth the work and the costs. Although I
do not share this point of view, looking at how Shredder played and performed versus
the Tigers with this opening book, ChessBase seems to be right...
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ChessTiger 14 |
ChessTiger 13 was the first amateur program that entered of the swedish SSDF-list
from nowhere right to the top. So the expectations to its successor are high of course.
No problem, ChessTiger fulfills them all. The well-balanced and safe (also tactical: I
cannot remember even one game in which ChessTiger was crushed by tactics) middlegame
play build the base for the successful endgame. In endgames ChessTiger is almost unbeatable
and is also ahead of Shredder which is said to be the strongest endgame player. I disagree,
ChessTiger is stronger. A typical game with ChessTiger goes as follows: opening, solid
middlegame, and in the endgame Tige shows his claws. If the opponent is able to defend
perfectly and does not make any mistake, the game edns in a draw, otherwise ChessTiger wins.
Impressive. Absolutely reference, which might be equalized by the new Shredder 5.32,
but for proof there is more testing necessary.
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GambitTiger 2 |
GambitTiger first was planned as entertaining additional engine to ChessTiger.
Well, fun became serious, and right now it is not clear whether GambitTiger
is even stronger than the "big brother" ChessTiger. According to the SSDF
GambitTiger is, but close. Many people are fascinated by the genious
attacks, many masterpieces have been posted in newsgroups and discussion
groups. But like other strong attacking programs, GambitTiger also sometimes
plays uncorrect attacks or sacrifices, loses the red line and loses the game.
In most cases the sacrifices are correct and lets one forget some painful loss.
GambitTiger really combines sacrifices, attacks and wins, in opposite to some
other programs like ChessSystemTal, so that *I* say that GambitTiger plays
the most entertaining chess with an unusual high success ratio (considering the
risky play). However, the breakdown versus Shredder 5.32 in my tournament cannot
only be explained by chance. The games should be analyzed why and how this could
happen. Therefore actually I prefer the ChessTiger whose play and evaluation is
much more balanced. Evaluation jumps from +1 to -1, from +3 to +0.2 or vice
versa are typical for GambitTiger but not for ChessTiger.
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Rebel Century 3 |
Rebel Century suffers from the DOS user interface so that many former customers lay
it aside. Additionally problems with the autoplayer make it hard to play test games
against and compare Century with other programs. Also the autoplayer often causes
strange behaviour which reduces the search speed drastcally and therefore reduces
the strength, what of course does not present the reality. It is a pity because
Century is a super strong program that can present the best performance in
computer-human games at tournament time control. At tournaments where Century
is operated manually and so is not hurt by the autoplayer, Century always shows
its class. Especially the powerful middlegame, the center- and pawn-handling
are superb, one of the best (if not THE best) what computerchess can present.
And like Junior, Century seldom lets the opponent's king escape if Century once has
the opportunity to attack. For this it is important that Century has the queen on
board, several minor pieces and the game has not reached the endgame. It is surprising
to realize that Century has problems with the own king safety. If the opponent can
manage to hinder Century to castle (preferrably Century playing black), it takes some
time until Century realizes the desaster. I dislike the time controls, they are not
very flexible. The common 40 moves in 2 hours plus 60 minutes for the rest of the game
cannot be setup. As Ed Schroeder already announced that he managed the conversion of
Century from DOS to Windows successful (as analysis engine for ChessPartner/Rebel Tiger
already available) and at the end of the year the first Windows version of Rebel Century
will be released (hopefully a later one than version 3) and run under the ChessPartner
user interface, at least the above described problems with the autoplayer and the time
controls will disappear (these problems do not exist in the current ChessPartner
version). Then Century will place where once he was and where he depends, in the top-5.
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RESUMEE |
A short overview of playing strength, style and my favourite programs: Chess Tiger,
Junior, Shredder, Rebel Century and DeepFritz are slightly above the other
programs, whereas I speak of one playing strength within this group. Eventually
Tiger and Shredder are a bit ahead, but if so then so slightly that one shouldn't even
mention a difference. Behind is a group consisting of Hiarcs, Gandalf, Nimzo, Fritz,
GambitTiger and Chessmaster. The space between the two groups is also small. It
would be wrong to speak of a class difference. Concerning playing style, I prefer
sound attacks, maybe well prepared. Without a special order, I find them in GambitTiger, Junior,
Rebel Century and Chessmaster. Do I need advice in a closed or strategic position I
definitely prefer ChessTiger and Shredder 5.32. Their evaluations are almost absolutely
correct.
Recommendation for buying:
One can choose one of the programs mentioned above. There is no need to fear to have
chosen the wrong program. Their playing strength is superior to ours. The only decisive
points that should play a role which program to buy are the playing style, database,
analysis features and user interface. The ones who put a stress on analysis- and database-
functions can choose any of the ChessBase products. Here you only need to choose the
program with the playing style that fits most to your demands. All the others and "freaks"
also have a convenient choice between Chess- with GambitTiger under the
ChessPartner-user-interface (adjusted opening books! and Rebel Century contained!),
Shredder 5 (own user interface, adjusted opening book!) and the
Chessmaster-user -interface (which is certainly not designed for serious play, more for
the mass market and children up to 16 years).
Addition:
This resumee refers to commercial chess programs. Of course there exist freeware programs
which run under the most popular freeware-user-interface WINBOARD. Because Winboard does
not reach the standard of the commercial programs and it is not easy to setup a
freeware-engine to work (with text-editor editing some INI-files), I do not consider them
here. For further information look for the excellent Winboard homepage by Frank Quisinsky.
The URL is available e.g. in the link list on the Gambitsoft-homepage.
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Copy Protection |
Just a few words concerning copy protection: First of all, 100% copy protection
does not exist. It is just a small obstacle which an intermediate user can handle easily.
ChessBase uses a physical protection for their products (ChessBase, Fritz,
Junior, Nimzo, Hiarcs, Shredder 5.32 and ChessBase-Tiger) which is visible on the CD-rom.
It is a small circle which prevents the user to copy the protection file (*.pro)
The original-CD-rom is requested once during the installation process and the first time
when the background analysis gets started. Additionally it can happen that the CD-rom will be
requested again. The necessary scene is that ChessBase 7/8 is installed into a different
base directory than the other(s) program, like Junior, so that the engine-directory is also
different. For the use of Junior as analysis engine within ChessBase 7/8 in this example
the Junior CD-rom will be requested again in ChessBase 7/8.
Chessmaster does not have a physical protection, but for each program launch the
first CD-rom has to be inserted into the installation CD-rom drive. So it might become
problematic if the drive letter for the CD-rom drive changes.
ChessAcademy offers an old-fashioned kind of copy protection. It is delivered with
a copy protected installation disk plus CD-rom. 30 installations are possible from the
install disk, then the dealer or distributor has to be contacted. Furthermore for many
operations with the database the CD-rom gets accessed, so that the CD-rom has to be
in the CD-rom drive for a normal program use.
The Rebel 11 package (Rebel Century 3, Chess Tiger 13 and Gambit Tiger 1.0, the
latest versions ChessTiger 14 and GambitTiger 2 can be downloaded for free from the Rebel
support site, registered users only) offers the best kind of copy protection. There is none.
There is only a serial number requested during the program installation and never again.
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