Question regarding Fritz 15.

I would like to buy Fritz 15 from amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/ChessBase-9783866815056-Fritz-15-PC-DVD/dp/3866815050/ref=sr_1_2?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1456922918&sr=1-2&keywords=Fritz+15

My question is whether I have to buy some additional Chessbase Software or this is all I need to install Fritz 15 and get it running. I heard something few months ago along the lines... "Fritz 14 is just a GUI on top, you need Chessbase below it." 

So do I have to buy some other chessbase interface software as well or Fritz 15 CD/DVD is complete in itself and doesnt require any additional software.

Also 1 more question, I see that ChessCentral is selling the same Fritz 15 for $5 less and also with free ebooks. So I am wondering how can they sell something for less price than the manufacturer and still add a ebook or two to it. Is it scam? 

The link for the same is : http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Software-Program-ChessCentrals-Fundamentals/dp/B016KWYDR2/ref=sr_1_1?s=software&ie=UTF8&qid=1456922918&sr=1-1&keywords=Fritz+15

Fritz 15 is a complete program.  You don't need to buy anything else.  Chessbase is THE database software to have of course, but unless you're high ranking you don't need it.  Fritz 15 also has a database, but it's just not as sophisticated.  The confusion comes from the GUI part of Fritz also being used in other products, such as Chessbase.  You will get a decent engine (that can easily be upgraded), the GUI and a database when you buy Fritz 15; so no, you don't need to buy anything else.  Whether Fritz is the best software for you is of course a completely different question.

Some sell at retail, some at discount.  Doubt it's a "scam".

 "Whether Fritz is the best software for you is of course a completely different question."

Is there a better alternative? Specially free alternative? Is Scid vs Pc on Stockfish engine good? Or some other software that you may recommand.

If you go free, you have to get the components seperately and put them together.  I'm too lazy to do that, but Scid vs PC has a very active user community here and coupled with Stockfish is considered one of the best out there.  You might want to take advantage of the "Search Forums" function here to do some more research.  Scid is no picnic to learn how to use but is very powerful.  Fritz is no joy to learn how to use either though.  I tend to use HIARCS or ChessKing more often just because the learning curve was easier and well, I'm lazy.  Good luck!  Oh shoot, I forgot Lucas Chess; also free, also powerful.

Thanks for your comment. Your input was very helpful. :D

'Getting components separately and put them together' is usually not a big deal, unless you are a complete adigibete with two left hands. GUIs often come with an installer wizard, (e.g. WinBoard), which you just run and accept the default proposals for the questions it asks. The engines (e.g. Stockfish) you just download and unpack. When you run the GUI it usually contains a dialog to 'load' an engine (i.e. start using it), with which you can browse to the place where you unpacked the engine and just point at the .exe of it. That is basically all.

As for learning how to use it, WinBoard comes with a novice-friendly tutorial in its 'doc' folder, as well as with an elaborate help file.

I have both Fritz 15 and Aquarium 2015. I like both but if I have to choose just one it would be Aquarium. For me it's biggest advantage is better database management. For example Fritz forgets your position in PGN/CBH when you open another file. Aquarium allows you to have multiple PGN/CBH files open simultaneously and also multiple positions open in each file and everything is memorized. But I know people who don't like Aquarium GUI at all, so it all comes to personal taste.

Hey, I don't know if this forum is outdated or something. But I have a question regarding fritz 15 too. I recently bought during a FIDE tournament. There is a database of games in it which has games dating up to 2013. I want to add some games into that database. Any suggestions or instructions as to how?

Hi Lekz666:

With Fritz 15 you should be able to register it for a chessbase account that will give you access for 6 months to the premium online apps.   One of these apps is the premium online database of games (like 8 million games).

Another way if you want to store them locally on your computer in your fritz database is to import games from TWIC:  theweekinchess.com

Thank you. It worked!