Author: Stephen A. Boak
Date: 20:05:19 10/08/02
I'm an A player (1800-1900 USCF). Although I acknowledge I could not beat Fritz 6 or 7 (what I have used a lot), perhaps never even draw, I have nevertheless remarked many times to myself and my chess friends that the suggested best moves of Fritz (per overnight game analysis--my favorite use of the program) looked odd. They often were anti-positional, something we humans would look at with a very strange feeling. It's just that it throws in some real klinkers--on a regular basis. Admittedly the program is a great searcher, and great in tactics. Many of the moves it makes look fine (or even great) positionally. I learn a lot from examining the Fritz analysis lines. I always ask--why does this suggested move work best? What is so good about it? I can often learn some tactical ideas. I can often learn some positional ideas from watching Fritz's recommendations. All too often, however, I have to say--that moves looks goofy, like a computer move. Fritz is showing its colors (that it is not human). Sometimes two moves (in multi-variation analysis) are scored nearly the same. Sometimes the anti-positional move scores a bit higher than the 'normal' move we humans would applaud. This always looks odd and makes me wonder. Based on my use of Fritz 7, it seems to jump around (up/down) in the eval scores, as it analyzes successive White & Black played moves. Seemingly more than its predecessor, Fritz 6. To me, I say the scoring is not 'as smooth' as Fritz 6. Anyone else detect this difference? When I use the program to analyze my games, looking for suggested moves that improve my position by perhaps .2 to .3 pawns (I deem these positional improvements, since they do not immediately or noticably win any material), I am disheartened when the analysis of the next move suddenly drops! Sure there are always horizon effects, but I expect that analysis that goes to quescence will produce similar scores, move after move, except in the rare event when the win of material is finally seen (not something that happens on each & every move). Are these signs of some null move problems? Often I use Fritz to analyze & show the top several moves. After I play another move (perhaps as actually played in the game), not in the top suggested Fritz move list, the score may jump and be equal or higher than the prior suggested top 3-5 moves! It seems that Fritz pruned out the move as a candidate, but once it is forced on the board it indeed sees that is it a fine move (as good as what Fritz recommended). This happens very often, in my experiences. Any comments by other users of Fritz 6 or 7? Thanks in advance, --Steve
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