Computer Programs, databases, study, and engines

Hey guys,

I'm an improving adult player, and I wanted to start a discussion about what engines, databases, and such you guys are using.  I have the freeware chessbase light, and am considering upgrading to the chess base light premium.  I have seen a couple free alternatives but I really like the positon search and opening report functions of chessbase, along with the eBooks available for their format. What are your thoughts and experiences? I mostly use this program to study openings and master games, not for computer analysis. So far I have been using the computer analysis on chess.com quite a bit, but I sometimes wonder about the moves the computer likes. For example would fritz or rybka give me more useful analysis?   I am sure some people will respond, this isn't important at your level, study tactics puzzles, and the like, but I already do that, and this isn't a thread about general improvement.  I just want to take about good chess software, and their pros and cons.

Stockfish, Firebird & Houdini are all free & very strong...assuming your PC is up to snuff for them. But since you need a program (some or all of these engines are just that, with no GUI) Fritz 12 is very popular and pretty strong, Rybka is another good program. If you have a heavy duty PC Fritz has a super-strong program available (it's more expensive & I doubt if anyone who isn't a professional really needs it, unless money is no object for you)

Fritz 12 also comes with a multi-million game DB which you can update via The Week in Chess free downloads of current tnmt/match games. So if you can afford it I'd say buy it or Rybka, you could also look around for Fritz 11 or 10 cheap at amazon or eBay.

As for Fritz 12's analysis I've found it disappointing many times - it shows me the point at which I was OK and then skips several moves to announce that I was now busted...without any suggestions on how to avoid getting busted. On the other hand it has also shown me lots of stuff both me & my opponent missed in some of my other games. Here's a link to tons of info on Fritz 12:

http://www.chessbase.com/shop/product.asp?pid=467

I own Chessbase 10, 11, and ChessBase Light Premium. Well, now I have 11 I don't use the others anymore, but ChessBase Light Premium has most of the options of the other, and it's an excellent tool to view databases. The price to upgrade to Premium is quite affordable (around 50 € if I remember).

Of course ChessBase 11 comes with the new ribbon-like interface, has a couple more of features, and is graphically nicer, but the price is maybe a little high. I would go for the Light Premium option.

Regards.

I use SCID (freeware) and update it manually every week from TWIC. Obviously Chessbase has a much nicer GUI but is outrageously expensive since I am not a Pro.

I am able to search for positions, players, opening, input my own games and analyse them with any strong free engine such as Fire, Houdini, Rybka 4,etc.

The Fritz or Rybka Package is has some  functionality intersections with Chessbase, but are more suited if you wanna play against the beast.

I would say that a good database program with an engine support is a primary need to any serious player.

Yes, the other engines will give more useful and more accurate anaylysis. Any of the engines mentioned above will be better and if money is a concern, SCID with free engines is pretty good.