Customer Reviews

Fritz Chess

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4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best chess program for the Wii -- and that is quite sad. Perhaps the chess market for game systems has completely dried up. All previous chess programs for the Wii were so bad, they were nearly unplayable. Fritz at least has the minimal features and strength to keep the chess fan occupied.

For the beginner, Fritz offers training levels of various strengths, chess problems and something called a "chess adventure".

For the experienced player, Fritz offers an engine with around a 2300 elo playing strength, which is plenty strong enough for the vast majority of players, but weaker than one would expect for a Fritz program running on the Wii's processor.

Fritz offers several adequate chess piece sets, including the obligatory 3D chess board, and some customizability on the interface.

What Fritz does NOT offer are obvious features present in any serious chess program:
No pointer control (moves are performed entirely with the wii-remote buttons).
No position evaluation
No analysis
No problem mode
No infinite level
No draw recognition
Not much of anything else a serious player would look for.

I'm an inexperienced Chess player, but found the hints helpful -- but the interface needs a lot of work. You basically have to use the control pad throughout the entire game (pointing and dragging at the screen like all other wii games is not part of this game).
No online play, and it won't even recognize your miis -- you create profiles from names on the game (unrelated to your mii). Does not see like it was made for the Wii.
I think the tutorials and education parts of the game seem to be good (but the interface is poor).

I had purchased this game for the use of my son, who is used to the exceptional computer tutorials "Fritz and Chester." I was also hoping for an entertaining wii like experience to playing the classic game of chess. This game suited neither my son or myself. It is a mediocre offering, geared to get your dollar based on the other excellent offerings from the makers of Fritz products. Avoid this one. If you're a serious player, hold out for Fritz 13, for which advanced orders are now being offered. If you are looking for a whimsical chess game, this will not satisfy you or your child.