ChessBase Reviews

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CDs, DVDs, Software Part 50

Deep Fritz 13 By ChessBase

Chess programs have been high-performance utilities for a long time now. The higher your system performance, the greater the value they will be to you. But multi-processor systems only work if you have a “deep” version, because it is only then that the program can make use of multiple processor cores in parallel.

Things are no different with the new Deep Fritz 13: on a dual-core computer the engine is already approx. 60% faster than the regular Fritz 13.

Deep Fritz 13 introduces the innovative “ChessBase Engine Cloud” and revolutionises the way we work with system resources. This new function makes it possible, for the very first time, to run deep position analysis, blunder searches, engine matches, etc. using engines located on remote computers, instead of overloading your own system. To you it looks like you are working on your own computer – it does not matter whether the engines are running on a separate machine next to you in your study, on the office computer or in a computer centre in Australia.

If you own a number of computers you can run all your engines on all of them and harness the full processing power on a single PC. Or you can rent your machines to other users via the “Cloud”. This is an especially exciting development for owners of high-performance computers or clusters. But the key point is: you can rent processing power from third parties and turn your little notebook or your “old faithful” into a tactical giant and strategic monster at the click of a button!

Join the community! “Let’s Check” is a revolutionary new feature of ChessBase that will change the chess world. With it Fritz users can join a world-wide community that is putting together a giant knowledge base for chess. Using Let’s Check while watching top games live on the Playchess server becomes an experience in itself. Not only do you have the very latest openings and statistics at your disposal, you can also see the results of the most powerful computers and engines that are logged into the server – total information on any computer, at the blink of an eye.

Deep Fritz 13 includes:

• Premium membership of playchess.com for 12 months
• ChessBase Engine Cloud
• ChessBase Let’s Check function
• Improved version of the Fritz13 engine for computers with multiple processor cores
• Special book by Alex Kure (over 4 million positions)
• Database with over 1.5 million games
• Improved and enhanced database management
• Improved user interface in Windows
• Access to “Let’s Check” database till 31.12.2015

System requirements: minimum: Pentium III 1 GHz, 1 GB RAM, Windows Vista, XP (Service Pack 3), DirectX9 graphics card with 256 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player 9 and Internet access to activate the program, playchess.com, Let’s Check, Engine Cloud and updates. Recommended: PC Intel Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 3 GB RAM, Windows 7, DirectX10 graphics card (or compatible) with 512 MB RAM or more, 100% DirectX10 compatible sound card, Windows Media Player 11, DVD ROM drive and Internet access to activate the program, playchess.com, Let’s Check, Engine Cloud and updates.

The Queen’s Gambit Accepted: A Repertoire for Black By Sam Collins

In this DVD Sam Collins presents a repertoire for Black based on the Queen’s Gambit Accepted, 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4.

Rather than get involved in the heavy theory of the Classical Main Line, the lynchpin of the repertoire is the active development of the queen’s bishop, after 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3, with 4…Bg4, a system used regularly by several GMs including Miles and Kogan.

The resulting positions have close similarities to the Nimzo Indian and Slav Defences, and Collins explains the way for Black to approach the middlegame with confidence based on a blockade and light square strategy. The popular 3.e3 is met with 3…e5 followed by active development. The most ambitious main option at White’s disposal, 3.e4, is met by 3…Nc6, a long-time favourite of GMs Baburin and Stevic and one which gives Black rich tactical possibilities of breaking down the white centre.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

1.e4 e5 - An Active Repertoire for Black By Adrian Mikhalchishin

Ever since the Kasparov-Kramnik WCh match (London 2000) players with the white pieces have been breaking their teeth biting on the Berlin Wall in the Ruy Lopez.

For young and developing players a very important piece of advice is to study open positions and to understand the value of coordination of the pieces plus the role of the centre. These goals can be achieved just by answering 1.e4 with 1...e5. Some players claim that these positions are not sharp and interesting enough, and they believe that different Sicilians should be one’s choice, but that is not completely correct.

The idea of this DVD is to show that 1.e4 e5 can be extremely entertaining and that Black can obtain interesting counterplay in every opening. There are two lines proposed in the Spanish systems plus the most active alternatives against other white choices. Video running time: 6 h 48 min.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

Opening Repertoire for the Positional Player By Valeri Lilov

Maybe you remember the famous game McDonnell-De Labourdonnais from their 1834 match in London, the one in which three connected black pawns reached the second rank and forced White’s resignation. What you probably do not know is that this game started with the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 e5.

Do you like positional chess? Have you ever dreamed of playing the most stable openings that leave your tactical opponent with nothing but a cramped position?

In this DVD, FM Valeri Lilov will present you with a complete opening repertoire for both White and Black, consisting of various solid opening systems leading to stable and flexible positions and providing many opportunities for intricate manoeuvring and creative planning!

Some of these great openings include certain lines in the English Opening and the Queen’s Gambit, as well as whole opening systems like the Torre Attack for White. On the other hand, the Classical Variation and the Bronstein-Larsen Variation in the Caro-Kann are two of the many great lines FM Lilov has selected for Black.

Let one of the best coaches on the internet guide you through the maze of positional chess where none of your tactical opponents’ tricks will work! Learn how to take advantage of your positional style of play with the help of the Tiger. Video running time: 4 h 00 min.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.

An Anti-Sicilian Repertoire By Loek van Wely

Tired of spending hours and hours on the boring theory of your favourite opening? Then here is your solution, play an Anti-Sicilian with 3.Bb5 against 2...d6 or 2...Nc6, and 3.d3 against 2...e6.

In 60 minutes you will get a crash course in how to avoid mainstream theory and in understanding the ideas of this Anti-Sicilian setup.

After these 60 minutes you should be able to survive the Sicilian for a long time, without being bothered by new developments found by engine x supported by an x-core machine. Now that it finally comes down to understanding, let's play chess!

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, mouse, soundcard.

Learn from the Open Games by Sam Collins

In this DVD Sam Collins explains the games from which he has learned the most, arising out of 1.e4 e5.

Topics covered include: exchanges, attacking strategy, gambits and sacrificial play, opening selection, play with opposite coloured bishops, restriction of the opponent’s pieces, play in queenless middlegames and endgame technique.

The themes are of critical importance for an understanding of how to play the middlegame. However, Collins also gives a full explanation of the themes from the opening and early middlegame, making this an invaluable collection for players who play the open games with either colour, or who simply want to learn more about this central touchstone of chess development. Video running time: 4 hours.

System requirements: Pentium-Processor at 300 Mhz or higher, 64 MB RAM, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, DVD drive, mouse, soundcard.