What is Fritz?

Originally posted by lausey
Although Fritz is a more powerful engine, I find Chessmaster has better teaching modules.

I use going through Josh's lessons in CM X a few days ago. In one position, there was a mate in two among the "wrong" answers because Josh said there was a mate in four. Of course, in CM X, there's no way to turn on the engine while in the lessons (Fritz is much better designed in this respect). Several lessons later, the program continued with instruction when I was supposed top practice the lesson. I suspect that Ubi Soft rushed CM X into production without adequate testing.

Fritz 10 may have bugs, too, as new ChessBase software often does. But these bugs will be corrected in a matter of weeks, while CM X limps along as neglected software.

"Here white has a mate in four." Josh Waitzkin

Originally posted by Wulebgr
I use going through Josh's lessons in CM X a few days ago. In one position, there was a mate in two among the "wrong" answers because Josh said there was a mate in four. Of course, in CM X, there's no way to turn on the engine while in the lessons (Fritz is much better designed in this respect). Several lessons later, the program continued with instruction w ...[text shortened]... e bugs will be corrected in a matter of weeks, while CM X limps along as neglected software.

That isn't very good. 🙁

Out of interest, do you have the position so we can spot the mate in two? 🙂

Originally posted by lausey
That isn't very good. 🙁

Out of interest, do you have the position so we can spot the mate in two? 🙂

posted now

Originally posted by Wulebgr
posted now

1. Rg1 Kh6 2. Rh4#

What was Josh's suggested mate in 4?

or did he mean a mate in 2 but it was just a typo?

Originally posted by lausey
1. Rg1 Kh6 2. Rh4#

What was Josh's suggested mate in 4?

or did he mean a mate in 2 but it was just a typo?

I'm sure that Rb5+, Ra6+ Rb7+ Ra8# was his mate in 4, but the mate in two is much more elegant, though his solution is thematic if you are showing beginners how to mate with rooks.

Originally posted by zebano
I'm sure that Rb5+, Ra6+ Rb7+ Ra8# was his mate in 4, but the mate in two is much more elegant, though his solution is thematic if you are showing beginners how to mate with rooks.

Agreed, but if the thematic solution is the goal, why not use something like

Originally posted by Wulebgr
Agreed, but if the thematic solution is the goal, why not use something like

[fen]8/8/8/7k/R7/8/6K1/1R6 w - - 0 1[/fen]

Yes, that would have made a lot more sense.

Originally posted by Squelchbelch
Does anyone know the best program for after game analysis?
I want something that will tell me in basic terms where I can improve.

The best program for analysis is the program that most closely resembles your style. If you make wild speculative attacks, I recommend Junior. If you are more positional and balanced, try Fritz and Rybka. While Rybka is objectively the strongest engine, it does not mean that it is the strongest in all positions or the best analysis tool for all strokes of players.

Originally posted by exigentsky
The best program for analysis is the program that most closely resembles your style. If you make wild speculative attacks, I recommend Junior. If you are more positional and balanced, try Fritz and Rybka. While Rybka is objectively the strongest engine, it does not mean that it is the strongest in all positions or the best analysis tool for all strokes of players.

Well said. And if you are human, Hiarcs may be the best choice.