Author: Larry Woodlock
Date: 21:35:01 04/14/98
Go up one level in this thread
On April 14, 1998 at 10:44:54, Eduardo Suastegui wrote:
>I am currently using CM 5000 for my PC sparring, but I am thinking of
>purchasing Fritz 5. I am not that strong a player (~1300 USCF), so I am
>wondering if any one could tell me what sort of gains I will make from
>using Fritz 5. One thing I really like about CM5000 is the ability to
>set the "personality" of my opponent so I can play against different
>styles. Is this available in Fritz 5? Also, should I get the ChessBase
>package (I believe there is a Fritz/ChessBase bundle)?
>
>Regards,
> Ed Suastegui
> http://home.earthlink.net/~esuastegui/eschess
Hi Ed. I've used the CM5K personalities for training against
varied (and weaker) opponents, and think it a good idea for developing
players. Fritz5 can't be set in so many different ways as CM5K, but it
has a "sparring" level that is unique and very much worth considering.
In "sparring," the program plays a normal game (with whatever
engine you have loaded), but on a short time control that holds it back
a bit. More importantly, it looks for tactical shots in the game, and
when it finds one, the program walks into it and sets the stage for YOU
to find and play the right combination. Comes in "easy," "medium" and
"hard" flavors that you select, and you can set the program to warn you
that there's something out there, or to give no such hint. The overall
effect is very much like the kind of tactical oversights human club
players make, but which good computers never do even at fast time
controls.
In short, it gives you a chance to find and exploit tactical
opportunities like those that humans sometimes present over the board,
something that other programs can't do. Very worthwhile. There is also
a "friend" mode, where the machine tries to adapt its play to your level
over a series of games. Don't know what that's like because I'm
addicted "sparring."
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