Is it worth purchasing Naum and Zappa

[alpha123]

Yeah, I know these are great engines, but I haven't actually bought them yet. My question is: Do you guys think that their playing styles/strengths are different enough from other engines (like Rybka, Firebird/Ivanhoe, Stockfish, HIARCS, Shredder, and Junior) that they would be worth purchasing?

Thanks,
Peter

[tomgdrums]

Yeah, I know these are great engines, but I haven't actually bought them yet. My question is: Do you guys think that their playing styles/strengths are different enough from other engines (like Rybka, Firebird/Ivanhoe, Stockfish, HIARCS, Shredder, and Junior) that they would be worth purchasing?

Thanks,
Peter

I held off on purchasing Naum for a long time. I recently purchased the new 4.1 and am really happy with it's analysis. I think it and Shredder are similar in style but with Shredder you also get the gui etc. etc.

Zappa is cool but since it is no longer in current development it might not be completely worth the purchase price. But it is a great engine and it does pick different moves from time to time.

[alpha123]

Yeah, I know these are great engines, but I haven't actually bought them yet. My question is: Do you guys think that their playing styles/strengths are different enough from other engines (like Rybka, Firebird/Ivanhoe, Stockfish, HIARCS, Shredder, and Junior) that they would be worth purchasing?

Thanks,
Peter

I held off on purchasing Naum for a long time. I recently purchased the new 4.1 and am really happy with it's analysis. I think it and Shredder are similar in style but with Shredder you also get the gui etc. etc.

Zappa is cool but since it is no longer in current development it might not be completely worth the purchase price. But it is a great engine and it does pick different moves from time to time.

Thank you. I will consider that.

Thanks,
Peter

[Graham Banks]

Naum has a very nice style of play. It is positionally aggressive and is not afraid to advance the pawn shelter in front of its king in order to apply a bind.

You'll only get full advantage from Zappa if your hardware is good. It's fallen off the pace from the top engines in terms of strength.

If I advised you to purchase either, I'd be accused of commercial exhortation.

Cheers,
Graham.

[lmader]

If I advised you to purchase either, I'd be accused of commercial exhortation.

I say let them call you an exhorter. Just don't let them exhort about your exhortation.

[mhalstern]

It is well worth getting Zappa, unless you have an old single core pc. It better with fast hardware as it needs cores to eat. At long time controls and long analysis, it may be better than Rybka at certain positions.

The only disatvantage, is that it is a little slower than most top engines in reaching plies.

Antony Cozzie - The Chess World wants you back!

[tomgdrums]

Yeah, I know these are great engines, but I haven't actually bought them yet. My question is: Do you guys think that their playing styles/strengths are different enough from other engines (like Rybka, Firebird/Ivanhoe, Stockfish, HIARCS, Shredder, and Junior) that they would be worth purchasing?

Thanks,
Peter

I held off on purchasing Naum for a long time. I recently purchased the new 4.1 and am really happy with it's analysis. I think it and Shredder are similar in style but with Shredder you also get the gui etc. etc.

Zappa is cool but since it is no longer in current development it might not be completely worth the purchase price. But it is a great engine and it does pick different moves from time to time.

Thank you. I will consider that.

Thanks,
Peter

Oh and I have to say that although it isn't the most popular engine I love Junior!! It is fun to play against and gives some really good alternate (if not always 100% sound) analysis choices!

[alpha123]

I have a fast quad. Thanks for the advise. I will probably end up purchasing both (when I get a little more money....).

Thanks,
Peter

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

Naum has a very nice style of play. It is positionally aggressive and is not afraid to advance the pawn shelter in front of its king in order to apply a bind.

You'll only get full advantage from Zappa if your hardware is good. It's fallen off the pace from the top engines in terms of strength.

If I advised you to purchase either, I'd be accused of commercial exhortation.

Cheers,
Graham.

Exactly

[matejst]

I have the impression that Zappa has the most positionnal knowledge of all. I understand his analysis most of the time, and it looks very humanlike and sound.

I hoped Stockfish would evolve in a similar direction, with a faster search and a learning function. Anyway, those engines are the best in closed positions, where understanding of positionnal elements matters.

Regards.

BS