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!

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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.

 

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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Understanding before Moving 53: Space advantage (2) >>
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Discussion and Feedback Join the public discussion or submit your feedback to the editors

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Understanding before Moving 53: Space advantage (2)

11/14/2021 – Herman Grooten is an International Master, a renowned trainer and the author of several highly acclaimed books about chess training and chess strategy. In the 52rd instalment of his ChessBase show "Understanding before Moving", Herman continues to talk about the advantages of having a space advantage. | Photo: Tommy Grooten
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Svitlana's Smart Moves - Kasparov's immortal

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60m van Wely SicilianNajdorf

In 60 minutes you will get a crash course how to play such a complicated opening like the Sicilian Najdorf by the hands of GM van Wely who knows by experience how the dangers look like!The contents:Video 1, 2, 3: how to survive versus whites most aggressive approach: 6. Bc4, 6. Be3 and 6 Bg5. Video 4: how to deal with the latest fashion in the Najdorf 6. h3 and last but not leastVideo 5: how to play vs the more classical set ups 6. Be2 and 6. g3

Discuss

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he-man he-man 11/28/2021 07:56
"Stronger Fritz 18 engine by Frank Schneider, optimised for short time controls."

Here is a bulletmatch Stockfish vs Fritz18 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWFRs9d-AtM
+128 =5 -0

New Fritz engine is poop....
Leavenfish Leavenfish 11/15/2021 11:49
25% off - all those complaining about a discount, take notice!
TheDock TheDock 11/15/2021 01:40
Why oh why? Im checking out Sagars video. Concrete verbal comments regarding the position from Fritz seemes quite ok. But why stupitd (not Sagars) comments with new annoying voices like 11,35 and 13.08. This is neither funny or give anything to the studying. Just really annoying. Please tell me that the irritating comments can be turned off. But the concrete comments on.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Schwarzenegger 11/15/2021 01:47
I am waiting for Fritz 18 a long time, especially Fritz18.ctg with new lines...
It is genius program, I like it very much
Keith Homeyard Keith Homeyard 11/14/2021 11:37
fad3r: I fully agree with your comment. As another person who has already purchased Fat Fritz 2, amongst other engines - what incentive is there to keep paying for the next one when earlier ones are already so strong.
Derek880 Derek880 11/14/2021 10:05
I never purchase Fritz for the engine, especially since we know it hasn't been among the top for quite some years. The functions are what interest me. This time, much like with Chessbase 16, I think there's been enough value added to pique my interest.
framew0rk framew0rk 11/14/2021 09:37
I bought Fritz 17 not too long ago. Maybe 30-45 days ago at most. Will I be eligible for a Fritz 18 license as part of my purchase?
Leavenfish Leavenfish 11/14/2021 04:33
@tomsihap - Truth be told...it doesn't matter! Why? Because Fritz is a GUI first and foremost. Easily the most versatile on the market...and one that is clearly distinguishing itself as such even more with these new functions. This actually looks to be the best iteration of the GUI in quite some time and a step in the right direction of helping any non-GM develop into a better player.

SF is...well, just an engine.
kostas2112 kostas2112 11/14/2021 02:46
Is there an upgrade version for those of us that had purchased Fritz 17?
fad3r fad3r 11/14/2021 01:57
Shouldn't there be a bigger discount for those who purchased fritz 17 and / or fat fritz 2?
tomsihap tomsihap 11/14/2021 01:43
Honest question: is it again just a nicely packaged Stockfish?
Davidx1 Davidx1 11/14/2021 01:14
There are 1000 infallible and unplayable engines, and very boring.
There is only one way to be a genius if everyone is infallible: you must lose.
But you have to lose well.
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