[blind-chess] Chess Article #63: Chess and Computers
- From: Roderick Macdonald <rmacd@xxxxxxxx>
- To: Blind Chess Mailing List <blind-chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:17:35 -1000 (HST)
Chess Article #63:
Chess and computers
Adapted and Condensed from
Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
There are two types of chess programs. One is to play against you;
the other is to help you become a better player by learning more.
The two types can be made to work together, though they have
different functions.
Chess engines
Chess engines are computer systems that can play chess games
against human opponents. Quite a number have been devised; they can
play at master level, though their processes are quite different
from a human being.
Fritz
Fritz is a German chess program by Frans Morsch and Mathias Feist,
published by ChessBase. It is the current market leader. There is
also a different kind of Fritz called Deep Fritz that is made for
multi-processing. The latest kinds of the consumer products are
Deep Fritz 12 and Fritz 12. They came with reviews by Josh
Waitzkin, who said that "Fritz is like a woman that you can't get
with. It just drives (makes) you to think in ways you've never
thought before".
Shredder
Shredder, also a ChessBase product, is claimed to be the strongest
engine at present.
Rybka
Rybka, a product by Vasik Rajlich, is Shredder's main rival.
Chess databases
Chess databases do not actually play. They give access to the
recorded history of master chess. There are two components. First,
there is the software, which lets one search and organise the
database material. Then there is the actual database, typically one
to four million games.
In practice, databases are used for two purposes. First, for a
player to train his/her ability at specific openings. Second, to
look up specific opponents to see what they play, and prepare
against them beforehand.
The existence of chess databases is one of the reasons young
players can achieve mastery at an early age.
ChessBase
ChessBase is the biggest database, and widely used by masters.
Although it can be used online, most users download the software
and data onto their laptop. Then they take the laptop to
tournaments, to help prepare for games. Players may not use
computers or any other aid during games, but much preparation goes
on behind the scenes. ChessBase has to be purchased, and it is not
cheap.
New in Chess
This is a Dutch magazine for advanced players, which runs an on-
line database called NicBase as part of its services. NicBase is
free, and has over a million games.
Chessgames
Chessgames.com runs an on-line database of games. It is partly
free, but requires registration. Full access to all its facilities
is by a fairly modest subscription. It has over half a million
games on its database.
On-line playing sites
There are websites which a player can join (for a fee) and play on
line. In this case, the subscriber will play against other
subscribers, not a computer. All standards of players are amongst
the members, and various events are on offer at different rates of
play. The two leaders in this market are:
Internet Chess Club
Playchess
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