Deep Fritz 12 – an interview with the author
The next step in the development of Fritz is Deep Fritz 12, the new multi-processor
version. We asked Frans Morsch a few questions about it.
How does the development of a Deep Fritz difer from that of a "normal"
Fritz?
Frans Morsch: In comparison to Fritz, the development of Deep
Fritz adds another level of complexity. As well as the engine itself, we have
to adapt the parallel system. While we bring this up to date only with a new
version of Deep Fritz, both the search and evaluation functions are in constant
development.
Does parallel programming pose special challenges?
The adaption of the parallel system is done on several levels. On the one hand,
it has to co-operate seamlessly with the search function of Fritz. On the other
hand there is the adaptation to the customer’s current hardware as well
as the middle-term development to be expected in this area.
Which hardware does Deep Fritz support? Is there also a 64-bit version?
Deep Fritz is tuned for current multi-core processors. The new dynamic scaling
will also work well with the next generations of multi-core processors. Its
predecessor scaled excellently with four processor cores and well with eight.
This has been further improved in Deep Fritz 12 – up to 16 cores are supported.
The existing 32-bit version of Deep Fritz has already been optimally tuned;
a 64-bit version would not be any faster and so there will not be one. Other
engines, amongst them Rybka, have only just been optimised in a 64-bit version.
The playing strength has also been increased. How does that come about?
For the development of the playing strength we employ new automated test methods.
A few million games are played on a series of computers. This shows us precisely
the efects of changes in the search or evaluation functions.
How is this mass of data evaluated?
The use of advanced mathematical procedures on the base data eliminates statistical
errors. This allows continuous further development.
Has Fritz a special playing style?
In development we lay great value on a bal-anced playing style so that Fritz
remains an excellent analysis partner in all phases of the game. We worked on
all areas of Fritz: the search and the evaluation in the middlegame have been
improved, the endgame knowledge has been extended and fine-tuned.
Deep
Fritz 12 now shipping
Fritz is the world’s most popular chess program, developed by ChessBase,
“the world's leading chess software company” (Washington Post).
The "Deep" Version 12 is now available and shipping.
Whether you are a beginner, club player or professional – Fritz has everything
that chess players could want: automatically adjusting playing strength, handicap
and coaching functions, explanation of positions, coloured danger warnings,
openings statistics, automatic game analysis, trainings modules for openings,
tactics, endgames, and a database of one million games.
Fritz continues to fascinate the chess world. It has beaten a reigning World
Champion in the battle of man vs machine, and it has worked with World Champions
as a clever training partner (Garry Kasparov: “I regularly analyse with
Fritz”) which will entertain you with fresh and humorous verbal comments.