Christmas games with Fritz 18

Andreas Krentel is 51 years old. He works as a physiotherapist in a urological clinic in Bad Wildungen, Germany. He used to play in a chess club 15 years ago. "Whether I won or lost a game was not so important to me. I enjoy the individual moments, and all the possibilities that the game has to offer. I think a lot about chess, because it is a very good training for the mind."

However Andreas is no longer really active. "In the club they only play blitz," he tells us, "and the strong players keep to themselves. For this reason, I stopped going there, and have been without a club for some time." So what to do?  He had always tried to keep his knowledge up to date, but now seldom found an opponent to test his wits against.

Now he found a prefect chess partner: the new Fritz 18! And it was suddenly like the good old days in the chess club. "The new Fritz gives me the opportunity to create dynamic situations, and try to work them out. I use the hints that Fritz gives me, but with caution – which means I use them sparingly. I think for myself first and am happy when good old Fritz sees it that way too."

Here are two fun games Andreas played against the program:

"Well, I have won some nice games against a great training partner," Andreas writes, "one that helped me gently back into the game. I was like a little child, being led by the hand – but the most important thing was that I had to walk on my own, I had to find the decisive shots myself. I really enjoy the wonderful training sessions with Fritz."

Brilliancy Challenge

Isn't it what every chess player wants? To win with a brilliant game! With Fritz 18 your dreams can come true: the program shows how it's done. With discrete tips, your attacking game can succeed. Fritz won't tell you what moves to make – you have to find them yourself. But it will help you with visual and spoken hints, or calculations which you can switch on! Beat Fritz with a powerful winning combination, and learn how to attack in general, all at the same time! This is how to make chess fun – against Fritz 18!

Show us your brilliant games! We will raffle attractive prizes among the senders! The most beautiful games will be published on our website.

• Full information on the Brilliancy Challenge can be found here
• If you don't own it already you can order Fritz 18 here