Author: Larry Woodlock
Date: 18:53:49 04/08/98
Go up one level in this thread
I think the poll is a good idea. I didn't buy Fritz5 because I
thought it was the strongest program, I bought it for the features,
particularly "sparring" and its database/analysis functions. My
principle interest was using the program's features to improve my chess.
Expecting a minimal improvement over Fritz 4.01/Extreme, I thought the
program would work out to number 12 on the SSDF list (discounting
multiple versions of Rebel, MChess, etc.) A strong program is important
in analysis, but the Hiarcs module would take care of that, I thought.
Overall, I've been pleased with Fritz5, and have followed this site
and rgcc to learn more about it. I've been disappointed with the venom
of many posters, which I felt did not contribute to knowledge about the
program. Months of use, and close comparison with Hiarcs, Genius and
CM5K (by my own feel for their playing strength against me, and by study
of the analyses by Fritz and Hiarcs of my games against humans)
convinced me that Fritz5 was a very strong program, and not easy to
distinguish from Hiarcs in overall capability. Before the Swedish list
came out, I had already concluded that I could and should use Fritz5
just as confidently as Hiarcs for advice and analysis.
The point: Fritz5 apparently is a great improvement over Fritz4.01
in playing strength, and the SSDF is one datum consistent with that
view. The Selective Search list is another. Folks should acknowledge
that, whatever the precise ranking, there is a lot of evidence that
Fritz5 deserves to be considered among the top tier of programs in
strength. If we could get this behind us, we could spend our time more
profitably comparing styles, relative abilities in open or closed games,
tactical or strategic positions, etc. THIS is a more worthy topic than
many of those posted on Fritz so far.
I'm tired of conspiracy theories and don't care that the SSDF or
Selective Search lists are imperfect arbiters of performance (against
humans or computers.) They're probably close enough to tell us that
Fritz5 is one of the stronger programs. We don't have a lot of better
alternatives, and I certainly think that it's enough to know that Rebel,
Hiarcs and Fritz5 are "way up there."
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