Opening training

Fritz 11 has special training functions for openings and endgames. In both you keep playing a position against the computer until you learn how to handle it. Simply click Tools – Training – Opening training.

In the list of openings that appears you can choose one you want to learn (the position that defines the opening appears on the board to the right). The position is transferred to the main board and you can start playing against the computer. Every time you press Ctrl-N (for "New game") the same position appears on the board – until you switch off the opening training mode.

You can choose between a simple and detailled list, and start each game from the initial postion to learn all the moves of the opening. And you can instruct the program to change sides after every move.

When you practice an opening against the computer, if you enter a move that is not part of current theory the coach will appear and warn you. It will offer you the following alternatives:

• Show move: This shows you the main line continuation in the position.

• Ignore: Lets the move you have entered stand. Of course this means you are deviating from the main line.

• Take back: This takes back the move you have entered and allows you to try again.

Extending the opening training database

The opening that come with the program can be extended or replaced by training files you create yourself. Simply enter the moves of the main line of each opening and save the game. Give it a name to describe the opening (e.g. Benoni Defence – Classical Variation".

You can enter variations, which the program will choose at random on its side of the opening. You can influence the choice by giving commentary symbols. A "!" will double the number of times the move is played, a "!!" will triple it. Moves marked "?", "??" and "?!" will never be played by the computer.

See also: Endgame training and Theme blitz.

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