Chessbase 17 - November 23 Release Date

[emadsen]

Hmm, this just looks like a glitch with the display driver than anything else.
Just a guess, though.

It's not my display driver. It's not my PC. It's the ChessBase software. You can see the screen repainting / flicker issues in videos online. For example:

• https://youtu.be/9YgHJekf3pk?t=234
• https://youtu.be/P8bdranL1QM?t=38
• https://youtu.be/M8ALdU5D9Ns?t=637

The problem seems worse if the GUI is not maximized. Does everyone run ChessBase GUIs maximized all the time? On a large 4K monitor with other GUI software running, I do not. Flicker-free window painting in a non-maximized GUI in the year 2022 is a reasonable expectation, in my opinion.

ChessBase does offer many features. I acknowledge I'm a patzer player, so I'm in no position to comment on the value of those features for the serious player in comparison to features offered (or not offered) by other GUIs. But it seems to me ChessBase has been around for so long, and was the only game in town for so many years, that it's created a Stockholm Syndrome among long-time users that's baffling to me. I've read forum posts where a (likely new) ChessBase user complains about its bizarre UI behavior followed by (likely more experienced) ChessBase users who go out of their way to blame everything but the software.

The screen flicker, hangs, window repositioning (I'm sorry Albert, Fritz does not reliably remember non-maximized window positions)... Do people believe this is normal GUI behavior in 2022? Or are they knowingly accepting poor UI in order to get advanced features?

[brutalmilo]

Hmm, this just looks like a glitch with the display driver than anything else.
Just a guess, though.

It's not my display driver. It's not my PC. It's the ChessBase software. You can see the screen repainting / flicker issues in videos online. For example:

• https://youtu.be/9YgHJekf3pk?t=234
• https://youtu.be/P8bdranL1QM?t=38
• https://youtu.be/M8ALdU5D9Ns?t=637

The problem seems worse if the GUI is not maximized. Does everyone run ChessBase GUIs maximized all the time? On a large 4K monitor with other GUI software running, I do not. Flicker-free window painting in a non-maximized GUI in the year 2022 is a reasonable expectation, in my opinion.

ChessBase does offer many features. I acknowledge I'm a patzer player, so I'm in no position to comment on the value of those features for the serious player in comparison to features offered (or not offered) by other GUIs. But it seems to me ChessBase has been around for so long, and was the only game in town for so many years, that it's created a Stockholm Syndrome among long-time users that's baffling to me. I've read forum posts where a (likely new) ChessBase user complains about its bizarre UI behavior followed by (likely more experienced) ChessBase users who go out of their way to blame everything but the software.

The screen flicker, hangs, window repositioning (I'm sorry Albert, Fritz does not reliably remember non-maximized window positions)... Do people believe this is normal GUI behavior in 2022? Or are they knowingly accepting poor UI in order to get advanced features?

I will admit I suffer from this same exact issue when using CB16 moreso than PowerFritz. One solution that seems to have lessen the issue from showing up was by forcing these applications to use my iGPU over my PCIe GPU. If you do a Google search on the following "how to tell which app uses which gpu" and look for the third listing down for "howtogeek.com" and follow their walkthru on how to force these apps to use your iGPU (CPU) and see if this helps with your issues. I remember on another blog post/forum (cant remember which one at this time) that a developer from Chessbase made this recommendation. I do agree however in year 2022 these sort of issues should NOT be happening.

[CornfedForever]

The screen flicker, hangs, window repositioning (I'm sorry Albert, Fritz does not reliably remember non-maximized window positions)... Do people believe this is normal GUI behavior in 2022? Or are they knowingly accepting poor UI in order to get advanced features?

I've only gone thru the first of these video's, looking specifically for the issue mentioned.

I do think some are really magnifying issues.

I mean, in Kostya's cited review of Chessbase...he doesn't even find it worth mentioning. "overall is the best offline software out there for managing databases and doing analysis" In any case, is there a single piece of chess software that someone cannot find fault with? No...the more it does, the more 'nits there are to pick'. Banksia for instance is a hot dumpster fire of nits...pretty any engine has issues which necessitate a version fix:3.0 going to a 3.01 or 3.2, etc, etc. Aquarium, Chess Assistant....The list is endless.

Frankly, while I do skip most Megabase versions (largely because I get Chessbase magazine) I've never skipped an iteration of Chessbase since....version 6 I think.

It's just too valuable to me in my 'pursuit of choice' and money is not an issue for such a pursuit. To each his own.

I knew in making the original post, the immediate and tiresome anti-Chessbase reaction would swiftly...and that I would have to invoke the admonition of the 'preeminent philosopher' of the internet age - "Haters will hate".

[emadsen]

I will admit I suffer from this same exact issue when using CB16 moreso than PowerFritz. One solution that seems to have lessen the issue from showing up was by forcing these applications to use my iGPU over my PCIe GPU. If you do a Google search on the following "how to tell which app uses which gpu" and look for the third listing down for "howtogeek.com" and follow their walkthru on how to force these apps to use your iGPU (CPU) and see if this helps with your issues. I remember on another blog post/forum (cant remember which one at this time) that a developer from Chessbase made this recommendation. I do agree however in year 2022 these sort of issues should NOT be happening.

Thanks Todd for your thoughtful answer. Interesting technical tip, though a bit ridiculous the user is expected to go to such lengths.

I mean, in Kostya's cited review of Chessbase...he doesn't even find it worth mentioning.

I posted the video clips to illustrate ChessBase's screen repainting / flicker occurs on other people's PCs too. Not as evidence that Kostya is on my side.

It's just too valuable to me in my 'pursuit of choice' and money is not an issue for such a pursuit. To each his own.

I respect your opinion. ChessBase has visual quirks but overall it provides valuable features.

I just can't get past the visual quirks. It's like when I spot upscaling of video to 60 or 120 fps on a TV. I immediately search for the option that disables TrueMotion or whatever the manufacturer calls it. My eye notices it and I find it very distracting. That's how I view the ChessBase visual flicker issues. Alright, I've made my point. I'll bow out now.

[CornfedForever]

I mean, in Kostya's cited review of Chessbase...he doesn't even find it worth mentioning.

I posted the video clips to illustrate ChessBase's screen repainting / flicker occurs on other people's PCs too. Not as evidence that Kostya is on my side.

Of course, I never implied that you posted it as evidence he was on your side; so I am not sure why you even responded with that....

I simply point out that, in his review, it does not seem to be anything he thinks (if he even notices...) is of any importance. A minority of people maybe be hyper sensitive to things though.

I know my wife freaks out when I eat kettle chips....can't stand the sound, yet she eats the same chips as I and it doesn't bother me in any way...doesn't seem to bother her when she is the one eating them. People are just built differently.

[Eduard]

I received a ChessBase letter today. ChessBase recommends a shopping guide in the ChessBase Shop. I click on it and the advisor recommends ChessBase 16. That's not nice. ChessBase 17 is coming in a week.

[Eduard]

Prices are fixed. CB 17 costs 150 euro. Upgrading from CB 16 costs 120 euro. On November 23rd there is a 25% discount.

It's not clear to me now, does the discount also apply to the upgrade price? So discount also on the upgrade price of CB 16?

[CornfedForever]

. The two highlight functions in it are the completely revised from top to bottom search system, which is absolutely amazing. And the second is the slew of powerful new engine functions. Now as to whether or not these will be of use to you I cannot say, as I have no idea what you expect of Chessbase the program, but that these are non-negligible features added to it is without question in my opinion. The engine features while amazing are actually less interesting to me. The search feature is absolutely fantastic, but everyone will have their own ideas. Personally I'm really into the replay training feature which I use for the Woodpecker tactics method. But that's me.

Albert - I spent 2-3 hrs watching video's last night on the new Chessbase 17 and frankly...I am stoked!

Yes, the new search feature will be great. The engine feature (buddy option) looks really worthwhile. I have a questions about the "beautiful games' search. Being able to apply it to as set of games is great but I am wondering if perhaps it is already 'applied' in 2023 Megabase? I ask because that would be great...and would however take forever to try for an individual to do.

[Eduard]

I'm only interested in the new database format and possibly the dark mode. I'm 98% on the server to play. I would prefer a dark mode for Fritz 18. A new database format that cannot be read by Fritz 18 is no help to me. I use Fitz to process thousands of my played games, which is also where I do my computer testing. If Fritz can't use the new database format, then I don't need it either. Then I prefer to continue with CB 16, Fritz and CBH.

[RobL]

I don't have this problem (Windows 10 and 11, 2x Desktop PC and 1x Laptop). I use Fritz 16, Fritz 18 and ChessBase 16.

Overall I am very satisfied with the programs.

Unfortunately the price for ChessBase 17 will be increased. ChessBase 16 costs 120 euros and ChessBase 17 will cost 150 euros.

ChessBase is currently selling CB 16 for 120 euros, see the homepage.

Anyone who buys CB 16 now will have to pay 120 euros for an update to CB 17 (this information can be found in a price list from an another shop).

Anyone who buys CB 16 now will be taken for a fool. Anyone who wants the new features, including a new database format, will be annoyed.

So far, an update from CB 15 to 16 has cost around 80 euros. Now 120. I'm not willing to pay that on principle. If I can't get an update from CB 16 to 17 for a maximum of 80 euros, then I won't buy it.

I agree fully