Interactive endgame training with Fritz 16

by Martin Fischer
2/21/2018 – Endgame training has the reputation of being dry and boring. But Fritz 16 can make it easy, playful, fun and effective. The following short tutorial shows you how to hone your endgame skills with Fritz. | Photo: ChessBase

Fritz 16 - He just wants to play! Fritz 16 - He just wants to play!

Fritz 16 is looking forward to playing with you, and you're certain to have a great deal of fun with him too. Tense games and even well-fought victories await you with "Easy play" and "Assisted analysis" modes.

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Fritz 16 as sparring partner

To train endgames with Fritz 16 it is helpful to have a database with the endgames you want to practice. (You find useful endgame databases on Karsten Müller's Endgame DVDs or in his columns in the ChessBase Magazine.)

After starting Fritz 16 go to "Easy Game" in the upper left of the screen:

Choose your level

 

Go to File → Open → Open Database to open your endgame database. Select the endgame you want to practice from the list of games or positions in the list.

A double-click opens the file and the critical position appears on the screen. If you want to, press Crtl+F to change the colour with which you play.

Now you can choose how strong your sparring partner should be — beginner, grandmaster or somewhere in between? If the endgame is clearly won or drawn it might be best to choose a strong opponent.

Move now

You also have to tell Fritz 16 whether he has White or Black. If it's your move in the starting position just a make a move. Otherwise, go to "Move Now" — Fritz 16 will begin to play.

"Move Now" asks Fritz to make a move.

Of course, you can save your game. Ctrl+S (or File → Save) overwrites the original version in the database.

If you do not want to overwrite the original file, go to File → Save Game As and select the database in which you want to save your training game.

Save database

Select the database in which you want to save the game

You can also return to certain positions in your game. Either because you want to try another idea or because you believe that something went wrong in that position.

Try your idea - the attempt is saved as variation. This allows you to try all your ideas and to analyse them later.


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Enter a position

If you do not have — or do not want to use — a database you can also enter a position manually. Go to File → Position Setup. A menu will open and you can enter the position of your choice with drag & drop. You can also define the position further (who is to move, is it still possible to castle, does the en passant rule apply etc.).

Position Setup

After entering the position, press OK. The position will appear on the board of Fritz 16. Now define the playing strength — and you are ready go! Make your move or ask Fritz 16 to move.


Fritz 16 - He just wants to play!

Fritz 16 is looking forward to playing with you, and you're certain to have a great deal of fun with him too. Tense games and even well-fought victories await you with "Easy play" and "Assisted analysis" modes.


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Martin Fischer, born 1962, is a ChessBase staffer who, among other things, organizes and holds seminars throughout Europe and helps administer playchess.com.