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Deep Fritz: Grand Master Deluxe | List Price: $19.99
Discount Price: $14.95
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Platform: Windows Me, Windows 98, Windows XP, Windows 2000
Brand: Viva Media
Binding: Video Game
Release Date: 2005-11-28
ESRB Age Rating: Everyone
Features: - Use Fritz as your coach, mentor, and opponent in this fun chess game
- 750,000+ games database; blazing-fast dual processor support
- Friend mode adjusts playing strength to yours; 4 true 3-D chessboards
- Introductory course for beginners; tactical advice for advanced players
- Bonus membership for 6 months to www.playchess.com chess server
More headache than pleasure [Posted on 2007-11-01]
I am not all that happy with this software. I thought I would be clever and save thirty or forty dollars by buying this edition (which is basically the Fritz 8 engine). While I am sure the software's playing strength will be more than enough for me (being approx. a class B player), as other reviewers have commented, it is indeed a non-intuitive GUI that requires too much effort to do even very simple things. I knew this was not going to be as friendly as Chessmaster, but since I work with computers professionally I reasoned I would prefer the superior engine to user-friendly bells and whistles. I am beginning to regret this decision.
Just for a few examples, one would think it would be easy to save and load your own games with the computer. Well, not really. You need to assign your saved games to databases and it's often confusing as to which you are saving or dealing with, a game or a database. Rather than load a game from a Windows-type interface you must open the appropriate database and find right game. The games are not date-time stamped for easy identification so this is more time consuming than you might think. You cannot delete saved games to free up your hard drive.
Just a couple more examples of problems/inconveniences: The talk feature does not work for me. Not important, but annoying. It does not seem to save your time control parameters if you change them from the defaults, so you must redo them every time. If you select Endgame Training, you are given an endgame which often is un-winnable for either side (well, I guess that is practice), and you never know which side you are playing or who's turn it is when you begin.
Most chess players are at least semi-intelligent folks and most are also computer literate....but Deep Fritz Grand Master Deluxe will really test your patience unless you are used to archaic GUI's and fighting the computer to get the results you want. I may wind up just buying another program.
Fritz [Posted on 2007-11-08]
I have not had any running problems with this software and it really plays a good game of chess. It is a little light on instructions. I have found that the supposedly "friendly" mode is just a very advanced player stooping down to allow you to survive a few more moves than necessary. Some of the features are obscure for a hobby player but the overall experience is very educational and I know from playing other humans that it has improved my game.
Not for the beginer. [Posted on 2007-11-22]
This product is not for the begining chess player. Interface is dificult to use. Find a free chess program and save your money. The manufacturer claims this is a training aid. Bull!
Awesome Chess Engine, But... [Posted on 2008-01-27]
Deep Fritz is an incredible chess engine. The big thing it lacks is training and mentoring. I have been out of the game of chess for a while and wanted to work on and sharpen my chess skills. Playing Deep Fritz for me was like going from T-Ball to the Major League overnight! When Deep Fritz recognizes you're not a high level player, it will reduce its level of play though. I did end up getting Chessmaster as well which does have an incredible training and mentoring component to it (IMHO). The difference in engine strength between the two is very noticeable (Fritz being much better) but Chessmaster has much more flexibility in how you can use it to train and learn. My bottom line opinion: If you're an expert, Deep Fritz is your best bet. If you're a beginner even up to an expert, Chessmester may be a better option. Oh, one other thing about Chessmaster: you do indeed have to keep the disk in the drive to use the software - get with the times Ubisoft!
excellent product [Posted on 2008-06-06]
I was pleasantly amazed at what a superb product this is. It exceeded my highest expectations. Anthony Dorato
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