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Subject: Re: The author of Shredder needs to improve his marketing skills!

Author: Mike S.

Date: 19:03:45 12/23/03

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On December 23, 2003 at 20:08:45, Rick Rice wrote:

>Consider the situation: His program was World Champion a couple of times in the
>last 3-4 years. His program is sold through the same marketing firm as Junior
>and Fritz. However, while the other two have made good money and publicity
>playing the Human World Chess Champions, Shredder has still to get started. Very
>surprising; one would think that the American would be most aggressive in
>marketing as compared to the European and Israeli? Can anybody explain?

I assume that Shredder sells more than Junior, because in the common computer
and software stores (in Vienna, but also at least in all german speaking
countries I guess) there are various Fritz versions on the shelves, Shredders
too, 6,7, and 7.SE - but not Junior. At least I don't remember having seen
Junior there, yet. Maybe Junior 6 longer ago (I'm not sure).

In addition to that, older engines like Nimzo 8, or recently Tiger 14, are
marketed under other names, smaller priced. Again, I didn't see a Junior version
of that kind yet.

Shredder played in these two GM tournaments recently in Argentinia, winning
both.

It's true that it's just about time that Shredder gets to play a match against
the human  World Champion (who is it? :-)). Shredder is on top of the most
important rating list for a long time now (before the Kramnik match, it was
Fritz). IIRC, the plans of ICGA & FIDE were, that the ICGA Champion should play
the FIDE Champion. - With some bad luck, it could happen though that there is no
new FIDE champion before the next ICGA Championship in July 2004... (?)

Maybe Shredder can get a match against Kasparov anyway; I would appreciate it
(FIDE+ICGA approved or not; I don't think these badges add much value to such a
match). - But it semms to me, in 2004 the "human only" Championships will have
priority among the top "K" players.

As for marketing, it was reported that the "Classic" Shreddder GUI version will
be continued but marketed separately in the future, by SMK and not by ChessBase
anymore. I don't know more details yet. I guess, the latest engine versions each
(8 upcoming from ChessBase soon) will not be included though.

Regards,
M.Scheidl



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