I have the Shredder 12 GUI, and I'm able to install the Shredder 12 engine into any other GUI that allows importing UCI engines. You'll probably end up having to set the Shredder playing level to a particular elo rating, but I don't see that as a problem.
Who has Shredder for Windows? What alternatives are there to Shredder?

Hi Guys,
I'm looking for an app/prog that adapts to your playing strength (or you can set any AI playing strength you like) - I know Shredder for PC can do this.
I don't particularly like the Shredder 13 interface though, I find it clunky and kinda ugly, with not enough appearance customisation options.
What alternatives are there to Shredder, where the PC adapts to your playing strength and/or you can set the playing strength of the PC to whatever you like?
Is it possible to do this in another UI but using the Shredder engine?
If one all the same is forced to use Shredder for lack of suitable alternatives, is it possible, for example, to import your own piece sets? For example, I want to use Alpha (or Burnett) pieces on a white and light pink board, but have found that Shredder app does not permit this. You can only use custom board colours with the low-res "Classic" piece set, for some reason.
Thanks for your feedback - cheers!
As pointed out, you can use the Shredder engine in other interfaces and manually reduce the playing strength. This isn't difficult but there 's a small learning curve if you're not accustomed to fiddling with UCI engines in various interfaces.
A free alternative that some members recommend is Lucas Chess. https://www-lucaschess.rhcloud.com/
Premium alternatives include Fritz and HIARCS.
You can import Stockfish into a gui and set its playing strength on a scale 0-20. I use it with Fritz.

You can import Stockfish into a gui and set its playing strength on a scale 0-20. I use it with Fritz.
Thanks for the tip, hadn't noticed that before.
I've also got Shredder in Fritz, but can't see a similar option...
Many thanks for your tips, guys. I've tried Lucas Chess but it doesn't seem to offer the power features and customisability I am really looking for. I find it a bit simplistic at present, but perhaps I should test it more. Fritz I used to own and I don't care for the ChessBase GUI look and feel. HIARCS is very interesting - thanks for that - I am looking into it.
If you had to choose between the top versions of Shredder and HIARCS for Windows, which would you choose, do you think, and why? Which is best for adaptive strength? Which is best for database management? Thanks.
Update: thanks for the heads up on HIARCS, guys, that's what I went for eventually (Deep HIARCS Chess Explorer for PC). It adapts itself to your playing strength and comes with tons of other features.
I'm finding my ELO against HIARCS is significantly lower for the same time controls than my ELO here against human players. Is that normal when playing against computer opponents do you think?

Update: thanks for the heads up on HIARCS, guys, that's what I went for eventually (Deep HIARCS Chess Explorer for PC). It adapts itself to your playing strength and comes with tons of other features.
I'm finding my ELO against HIARCS is significantly lower for the same time controls than my ELO here against human players. Is that normal when playing against computer opponents do you think?
Can you talk a bit more about the other features it offers? I've never tried HIRACS and would be willing to give it a try if it's really good.
Can you talk a bit more about the other features it offers? I've never tried HIRACS and would be willing to give it a try if it's really good.
The easiest way to answer your question is to direct you to a bunch of instructional videos on HIARCS:
http://www.hiarcs.com/pc-chess-explorer-videos.htm
A good one to start with is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivpXiI5Fst4
Hi Guys,
I'm looking for an app/prog that adapts to your playing strength (or you can set any AI playing strength you like) - I know Shredder for PC can do this.
I don't particularly like the Shredder 13 interface though, I find it clunky and kinda ugly, with not enough appearance customisation options.
What alternatives are there to Shredder, where the PC adapts to your playing strength and/or you can set the playing strength of the PC to whatever you like?
Is it possible to do this in another UI but using the Shredder engine?
If one all the same is forced to use Shredder for lack of suitable alternatives, is it possible, for example, to import your own piece sets? For example, I want to use Alpha (or Burnett) pieces on a white and light pink board, but have found that Shredder app does not permit this. You can only use custom board colours with the low-res "Classic" piece set, for some reason.
Thanks for your feedback - cheers!