A new generation of FritzTrainers: for Windows and (now) Mac and iOS!

by ChessBase
9/27/2019 – The Ruy Lopez is a perennially popular opening and all World Champions have played it, with White or with Black or with both colours. Studying it will improve your chess understanding — and your results! On three new FritzTrainer DVDs Fabiano Caruana, World Championship Challenger 2018, now explains the intricacies and attractions of this opening, offering White a complete repertoire. These FritzTrainers also impress with a technical novelty: they run on Macs, iPad, Android, and Windows!
The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

The new FritzTrainers

Image for: The new FritzTrainers

Good news! ChessBase has developed a FritzTrainer App! The new generation of FritzTrainers now run on Windows and on Macintosh OS (download version). You can buy the new Macintosh version in the ChessBase shop and is also available in the iOS Store. The Windows version is also available in the ChessBase Shop (as before) but there soon will be an Android version which you can buy in the Google Play Store.

No matter, how or on which device or on which operating system you use the new generation of FritzTrainers, they all have a new modern design.

You can use the FritzTrainers with ChessBase 15 or directly via the FritzTrainer App!

Note: The DVDs contain only the Windows version. The download includes versions for Windows + Mac!

FritzTrainer menu in new design, here on Macintosh OS

The first of the new FritzTrainers are by Fabiano Caruana

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White. 

  • A world class player explains the Ruy Lopez
  • Complete repertoire for White (on world class level)
  • Now for Mac OS (in the download version)!
  • New FritzTrainer design
  • Three FritzTrainers about the Ruy Lopez with a runtime of more than 15 hours in total

In a total of three volumes, Caruana examines all Black replies after 1.e4 e5 2.♘f3 ♞c6 3.♗b5. The world’s number two not only shows very concrete lines, but also outlines general approaches depending on the demands of each variation. How can White keep track of the manifold solid closed set-ups (e.g. the Breyer)? What’s the best way to defuse the risky Schliemann-Jaenisch Gambit? Which transitions to the endgame against the Open Variation are particularly unpleasant for Black? What are the guiding threads to follow against the Berlin Defence? In short, this trilogy not only provides the viewer with a complete premium Ruy Lopez repertoire, but also with fascinating insights into the mindset and chess understanding of a World Championship contender. Epiphanies guaranteed!

Subjects: The Classical Main Lines (Chigorin 9…♞a5, Zaitsev 9…♝b7 and Breyer 9…♞b8), Anti-Classical (8.a4), Anti-Marshall (8.a4), Modern Arkhangelsk (6…♝c5), Open Ruy Lopez (5…♞xe4), Berlin Defence (3…♞f6 and 4.♘xe4), Averbakh Variation (6…d6), Schliemann Variation (3…f5), Smyslov Defence (3… g6), Cozio Defence (3…♞ge7 and 3…a6 4.♗a4 ♞ge7), Bird’s Defence (3…♞d4), Steinitz Defence (3…d6) and Modern Steinitz (4…d6), Classical Defence (3…♝c5), Norwegian Defence (4…b5 5.♗b3 ♞a5)

  • Video running time: 16 hours 20 min (English)
  • Database with Caruana’s games in the Ruy Lopez
  • Bonus: Training with ChessBase apps - Memorize the opening repertoire and play key positions against Fritz on various levels

Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol. 1 — Menu and Content

Menu with content

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

New functions

The opening training App has a drill function that helps you to practice the lines of Fabiano Caruana's repertoire: 

  1. You can let the Opening App play through lines with different time limits.
  2. Guess variations: compare two positions and try to guess which moves led from one position to the other.
  3. Memorize the repertoire with the help of the drill function. You play against the App but the App follows your repertoire. This helps you to remember the various lines better. 

Repertoire training

Practice positions

In the Fritz app you can play different Ruy Lopez positions against Fritz. You can set various levels and practice ideas that were shown in the videos. This will enable you to better understand the resulting middlegame positions and also help to memorize the repertoire even further. Once a position is loaded, it's your move and Fritz will reply accordingly. 

Practice positions

Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol. 2 — Menu and Content

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol. 3 — Menu and Content

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

One package, three FritzTrainer courses!

The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest openings which continues to enjoy high popularity from club level to the absolute world top. In this video series, American super GM Fabiano Caruana, talking to IM Oliver Reeh, presents a complete repertoire for White.

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Discuss

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Rules for reader comments
runslack 12/7/2019 09:42
Quite a good news but what If I have already purchased the Windows version, will it be free for me on another platform?
Force of Nature 11/12/2019 08:20
Thanks macauley that helps a bit, but it would have been great to have Caruana's definitive thoughts on this line. For instance in the variation you gave: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 5.Nxe5 now there is 5... Nxe5 6.d4 a6!? with as yet a final verdict afaik. I will have to check out that 6.Qe1 you mentioned a bit further, to see what is the difference between that and the commonly played 6.Qe2.

Thanks again.
macauley 11/12/2019 07:14
@Force of Nature - Indeed, according to shop.chessbase.com/en/openings/tree this line is covered on six other FritzTrainer releases of the past, but not on Caruana's trilogy. You might be interested to know that Fat Fritz gives this as the main line: 5.Nxe5 Nxe4 6.Qe1 (the first move not given by our previous FritzTrainer authors.) 6...Nxe5 7.d4 Be7 8.dxe5 Nc5 9.Nc3 c6 10.Bc4 b5 11.b4 Ne6 12.Bd3 Bxb4 13.Bd2 d5 14.exd6 Bxd6 15.Qe4 Bd7 16.Rfe1 Bc5 17.Rad1 Qf6 18.Kh1 g6 19.Bxb5 0-0 20.Bxc6 Bxc6 21.Qxc6 Rac8 22.Qb7 Rb8 23.Qe4 concluding on move 39 that White is better. [+/- (58% +40% =36% -24%) Depth: 29/79 00:08:36 21783kN, tb=1)]
Force of Nature 11/12/2019 04:55
To catch the sale, I rushed and ordered this 3 part Ruy Lopez Series, I mean it's Caruana right!

I have a question though, is the following line refuted? : 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.0-0 Bc5

I could not find coverage of this line in any of the 3 DVD's.

Am I overlooking something?
bmax1968 10/20/2019 12:24
and for Linux? I look forward to using the Chessbase products even on my favorite operating system..Linux Ubuntu
misterpunch 10/9/2019 10:47
I purchased the 3-part bundle.
When you go to download, you can download both the windows and mac versions, not just one or the other.
Trying to run it on my mac running High Sierra 10.13.6, I kept getting an error message, and it would not work.
Contacted chessbase support, who apparently didn't even know that they sold a product that runs on a Mac.They were of no help.
A few days ago, just to try, I downloaded the mac files again, installed them, and they run just fine now!
The app on mac is nothing like chessbase on windows, look and feel is like the games that they have on their webpage, which I think are running on webgl.
Nyman 10/9/2019 07:29
Windows, Mac, Android...what about Linux?
Metaphysician 10/1/2019 05:50
Happy to learn that I will soon be able to watch Chessbase videos on my iPad.
mccauley, you thank @stumpy for his “suggestions,” but I don’t see a response to his question about pricing “strategy.”
If I buy the Windows (or Mac) version of the Caruana videos, do I need to pay again to watch them on my iPad? How much?
Thank you.
psilocybin 9/30/2019 11:13
Glad to hear about the Mac/iOS versions of Chessbase products! Once you get the cross-platform compatibility worked out (I also want to be able to use these products on multiples devices), I will happily $pend my money ...
maac2002 9/30/2019 08:50
It would be very unfair to possible users (also showing only ambitious aproach) charge separately for each platform a same product (ebook). In today technology its a no-go: the cloud must be universal. Example: i purchase Fabiano Caruana course, the reader in each platform is free, and, as i install each reader from each platfom, it appears there; subsequent product purhased the same.
sedarpl 9/30/2019 03:13
Yes, at last Chessbase product for Mac and iOS users :-)
Good step forward!
basler88 9/29/2019 09:31
I'm fully support chessmatt's proposal. One price for all devises!
chessmatt 9/29/2019 09:16
Yes please - an option for a bundled price for the Windows/MAC and iOS would be great. I will always get the PC version but would love the option to also use the iOS version on the go.
macauley 9/29/2019 12:40
@nabulio @adbennet - Thanks for the suggestions @stumpy @Woodford - This is a brand new product offering, previously unavailable, so of course we're interested in user feedback.
stumpy 9/28/2019 02:56
If Chessbase are thinking of charging for separate downloads of windows/Mac - app store - google play. then I think I'm out...

An outrageous plan. I have several devices and swap between them all dependent on where I am, so not for me.

Chessbase - please confirm your strategy please.
nabulio 9/28/2019 10:53
A good way would have been to create one iOS app called FritzTrainer, with inApp purchase for each DVD.
Anyway, it’s a great step forward.
adbennet 9/28/2019 10:08
In the app store it should have been named "FritzTrainer - Navigating the Rut Lopez". Then in future when there are dozens of titles available they will all be found by searching for "FritzTrainer".
ChessKnightOwl 9/28/2019 07:33
I have eagerly awaited Mac or iPhone/iPad versions of the excellent Chessbase products for years! I look forward to these future purchases. Thanks, Chessbase.
Woodford 9/27/2019 08:26
I think you do need to buy twice if you wished to use on iPad and PC. So the iOS version is a very welcome breakthrough, but if I am understanding correctly, one likely to generate ill will.

I don’t mind paying a little bit extra for an iOS version as well as the PC-like I do with my New in Chess subscription - but twice is not good.
nabulio 9/27/2019 07:05
So great news for ios and iPadOS versions!
I was waiting that for years!
Thanks a lot Chessbase.
chessmatt 9/27/2019 06:47
Quite happy to see iOS versions available so I can review on the plane for example :P Just hoping it is available if you purchase the windows version. The article says the download includes both windows and Mac. But I would be interested in Windows + iOS. If I purchase the windows version would I also need to purchase iOS?