If you were to show the 5¼ or 3½ inch discs from the 'museum cabinet' to a visitor to the ChessBase office today, you would get a few quizzical looks in return. What kind of strange square discs are these? The CDs, which have also disappeared from the range, at least still look like DVDs, but neither are up to date any more. That's why the Hamburg company is reacting and will in future focus even more on downloads, streaming and ChessBase books.
 
Mr Woisin, which DVD was the first one published by ChessBase and which one was the last? 
Well, the DVD was not the beginning. First there was our database of 1,000 games on a single floppy disc - for the Atari back then, and then for the first PCs. The next technological advance was the CD in 1991. We still had to import our endgame CD from the USA. We had innovative products and actually had to encourage chess players to buy a computer first. Only then could they use our products. Believe it or not, we even sold CD drives in the beginning!
 
How many copies are we talking about and when did this start?
We sent the first disks with databases at the end of the 1980s. In 1991, there was the first endgame CD, in December 2003 we started the DVD era with the first mega database, and in 2004 the first video course appeared on DVD-ROM: Matthias Wahls' Fritz Trainer "Eröffnungsfallen".

In total, we have produced over a million DVD-ROMs in 20 years.

An impressive record. Why will DVDs no longer be produced in the future?

Last week, Harald Schneider-Zinner's "Taktikschule 3" was released. This title was the first Fritztrainer to be published without a DVD. The package only contains the activation code. Most customers didn't even notice this, because 90 per cent of our orders are for downloads and not for DVDs sent by post. And if you buy a computer today, you won't even get a DVD drive!

What's more, the new distribution channels offer several advantages for customers and the environment.

Exactly: for one thing, customers can download and use their product immediately, and for another, they can access their product database anywhere and anytime – even during a tournament – and thus prepare for their opponents on the spot. And the ‘backup copy’ is on the ChessBase server! What's more, the elimination of DVDs and the new packaging saves a lot of plastic and protects the environment.

How is this technically solved?

The downloads have been working very smoothly for us for years now. Just as with streaming or the ChessBase Book, all you have to do is enter the product code that you receive when you buy it, and you're ready to go (editor's note: see instructions below). 

What do collectors do who are proud of their ChessBase DVD shelf?
They can keep collecting! If you would like to have a title sent by post, we will send you the activation code in an attractive package, which you can use to download and install the product. The booklet looks good on the shelf and also makes a great gift. And most importantly: our titles can, of course, still be purchased in this form from retailers!
 
Mr Woisin, thank you for the information.

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Here is an overview of the various options for viewing courses and the scope of delivery:

The special thing for the (few) customers who have previously ordered the DVD version by mail: Titles no longer contain a DVD, but a card with an activation code.

This means that the product can be used on the following platforms:

Programme download (installation for Windows and Mac)
ChessBase Books version (web browser)
Stream (video portal) for iPad, tablet, PC etc.
Download the ChessBase product installer and enter the key. You're ready to go.

This will be delivered:

Fritz trainer for 4 platforms: Windows app, Mac app, ChessBase books and ChessBase video stream
Delivered by download or by post (card with serial number)
Video course with a duration of approx. 4-8 hours
With repertoire database: save and integrate into your own repertoire (in the Opening WebApp or in ChessBase)
Interactive exercises with video feedback: the authors present exercises and key positions, the user has to enter the solution. With video feedback (also on mistakes) and further explanations.
All videos and additional exercises, tests and texts included in CB books

This is what the FritzTrainer app can do:

Videos run in the FritzTrainer app or integrated in the ChessBase programme with board graphics, notation and a large function bar
Analysis engine can be added at any time
Video stop for manual navigation and analysis in game notation
Enter and saving your own variations and engine analysis
Learning variations: replay variations in ChessBase WebApp Opening using autoplay, learn them by heart (‘drill’) and practise transformations (starting position – end position)
Active opening training: selected opening positions are opened in the ChessBase WebApp Fritz online: in a match against Fritz, you test your new knowledge and actively play the new opening.

Even more possibilities: FritzTrainer & ChessBase!

The database with all games and analyses can be opened immediately
Games can be added directly to the opening reference
Direct evaluation in the opening reference with game reference, games can be replayed in the analysis board
- Your own variations are directly inserted, saved and can be inserted into your own repertoire
- Replay training
- LiveBook active
- All engines installed in ChessBase can be started for analysis
- Assisted Analysis
- Print notation and diagrams (for worksheets)