Hi.... I guess an introduction is in order

[drake]

Well, a few may know me here from FICS, but most of you prolly have no clue who I am.  I am glad I have found CT!

Well, i been working a few hours on tactics each day that I can to help improve my game. It has helped a lot (was using a different site previously).

Recently, I been trying to figure out how to get Chessbase 9 and Fritz 11 into my "training". This has been hard because there are so many options, that i am lost and confused in the glory of having something I have no real clue how to put it to best use. So if anyone know how I can apply those to my training let me know...

My goals are:

1) study my openings, Sicilian Dragon, KID, and English
2) strengthen my middle and end games
3) have fun and play OTB as much as possible
4) reach 1800ish within the 6 months

Hopefully, my goals are not so unrealistic and I actually achieve them.  Just kinda lost how to go about studying my openings and such, but I am getting there.

Anyways, I am sure I am go on longer about stuff like this but I will end it here for now.  I am sure some old man will comment on this thread shortly....


drake

[texian]

"old man", eh 

welcome to the wonderful world of the CT Forum, pal .. since Drake forgot to tell you (early onset CRS no doubt), he is Drachenblut at FICS .. i ain't gonna let him call me an "old man" anonomously

good luck in achieving your goals, amigo

[andreacoda]

Welcome from me as well - I don't play on FICS, but I use Fritz11 as well and my goals are very similar to yours!
Cheers,
Andrea

[drake]

My rating on FICS, is hovering around 1400ish +/- 50 or so.  Once I become comfortable I want rejoin USCF ( was a member for 2 year but never moved a piece during a rated tourny)

What do you think is the best way to optimize Fritz for learning?  I know fritz can do many things, probably more then I need.  Everything is setup as defualt right now and i can't stand that when you move a piece it shows you what defends that piece what is attacking the piece etc etc.  Stuff that you should be visualizing in your head, imho.

drake

[andreacoda]

Three key things:

1) Use the "sparring" option: Fritz will play normally strong, but will do a blunder whenever it see the possibility for a nice tactical continuation. You can even decide if you want to be warned (a red light will flash to let you know there is something there) or not (in this case, if you miss it during the game, you will find the tactic as annotation once the game is over)
2) Play only in "friendly mode": Fritz will adjust its playing style to play just slightly better than you. this is very good for learning;
3) Review each and every game you play, with Fritz itself.

[drake]

That sounds fairly reasonable, I figured friendly mode is scaled down/up to your level to keep you thinking, which is nice. Didn't know about the sparring mode thing.

whats the best way to review the game in fritz, just have it analyze the game and see what i missed? there a way for it to find a blunder and have me go back and attempt to solve for the correct move?

lots of questions and poor typing skills

drake