Fritz 18: Evolving Genius

by ChessBase
11/14/2021 – When's the last time you played a game of chess against a chess program? Normally it is pointless – you get thoroughly crushed, even if you are a 2800 player. But now you can challenge the computer: the brand new Fritz 18 uses its awesome power to set up brilliancies for its opponent! It is the ideal partner to train yourself to spot and execute spectacular combinations. The launch of Fritz 18 is on Discount Day, Tuesday November 16, when you can get the program at a premium price!

ChessBase 18 - Mega package ChessBase 18 - Mega package

Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.

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Instead of just increasing its playing strength – like adding 30 Elo points to its stratospheric rating, which we have actually done! – we decided to also create a new training tool for ambitious chess player. One that will teach you how to find brilliancies in your games. And it is a training tool that can be used by amateurs all the way to the World Champion, because Fritz 18 actually adjusts its playing strength, and the tactical opportunities it offers, to the proficiency of the opponent.

Fritz has fascinated the chess world for 30 (!) years: victories over world champions Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, innovative training methods for amateurs and professionals, 20 years of Internet chess on the Fritz server, 10 integrated WebApps for mobile training:

Fritz offers you everything you will need as a dedicated chess enthusiast.

Evolving Genius – The new path to playing brilliancies

Fritz shows you what you are capable of being: an attacking player who can conjure up magnificent brilliancies over the board! The new AI-based training method leads you to brilliant sacrificial combinations via clever variant selection and discreet hints.

Also new in FRITZ 18:

  • Intelligent tips: Fritz provides subtle hints in difficult positions
  • Visual evaluation: pawn structure, king safety, piece activity and sharpness of the position
  • New chess board in Direct2D technology with a fresh look and improved animation
  • New engine analysis: Interesting threats, appealing ideas and the game continuation 
  • Animated engine variations: Intuitive visual display of the best continuation
  • Improved calculation training to give your Elo a quick boost.
  • Stronger Fritz 18 engine by Frank Schneider, optimised for short time controls.

The main playing area of Fritz 18 (click to enlarge), with the trainer and brilliancy assistant

Here are a couple of examples of a 1950 rated amateur (the programmer himself) playing against a the 3500-rated program Fritz 18 set to "club level" training. It offers him the opportunity to excel! One is always on the lookout for opportunities to execute a brilliancy.

 
New ...
Open...
Share...
Layout...
Flip Board
Settings
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Bb3 Bd7 8.0-0 a6 9.Be3 Rc8 10.f4 Qc7 11.f5 e5 Allowing a very nice combination
12.Ne6! No super-strong engine would allow anything like this to occur. Qb8 Fritz 18 thinks like a human. It "realizes" that accepting the sac and taking the knight is bad: 12...fxe6 13.fxe6 Bxe6 14.Bxe6 Be7 15.Rxf6! 13.Bb6 Nd4 14.Nxd4 exd4 15.Bxd4 Be7 16.Rf3 Qc7 17.Rg3 Rg8 18.Nd5 Nxd5 19.Bxd5 Bc6 20.f6! Bxf6 21.Bxf6 Kf8+- and White is clearly winning.
1–0
  • Start an analysis engine:
  • Try maximizing the board:
  • Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
  • Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
  • Drag the split bars between window panes.
  • Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
  • Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
  • Create an account to access the games cloud.
WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Wüllenweber,M-Club player (Fritz)-1–02021B88Bc4 Siz, 12.Se6!
Wüllenweber,M-Club player (Fritz)-1–02021B13Rxf6!!
Wüllenweber,M-Club player (Fritz)-1–02021C9120.Td7

There are many other interesting features to help you understand chess strategy better.

You can ask of hints, or spoken commentary. On the right the program tells you which pieces are well-placed or in danger, how volatile the position is, etc. Fritz 18 helps understand the position, tactically and strategically, without simply suggesting moves to play.

Stay tuned – we will describe the other exciting features for you in detail in the coming days.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:  

Minimum: PC Intel i3 or i5 or Ryzen 3, 4 GB RAM, Windows  8.1 (32- or 64-Bit), DirectX11, graphic card with 512 MB RAM, DVD-ROM drive, Windows Media Player and internet access. 

Recommended: PC Intel i7, i9 or Ryzen 7/9, 8 GB RAM, Windows 11 with 64-Bit, Windows Media Player, graphic card with 1 GB RAM, RTX graphic card for real time Raytrace board,  DVD-ROM drive and internet access.

For ChessBase ACCOUNT: Internet access and up-to-date browser, e.g. Chrome, Safari. Runs on Windows, OS X, iOS, Android and Linux.

Watch Sagar Shah of ChessBase India try a first experimental game, together with his viewers, against a Fritz 18, making use of the new hint and commentary functions:

You can order the new Fritz 18 from Tuesday (Nov. 16) in the ChessBase Shop, 
and get 25% off, because that is our Discount Day!

 


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