Re: Which Rybka?

First download all the free engines from rybkachess.com.  These will
kick the butt of all the programs that you have.

Then you should make a decision on Aquarium from Convekta and the
Chessbase interface.   I have Fritz 11, so I went with Aquarium.  I can
always use the Rybka 3 I got with Convekta with the Fritz 11 interface.
 This is my main system, and I use Fritz 11 as a Kibitzer when I am
exploring.

I have also done some stuff with IDeA interface with Aquarium.  But I
mostly use Chessbase.

As to deep vs normal.   Rybka 3's main advantage is in the improved
positional scoring from Larry Kaufman (whose work on this gained him the
Grandmaster title by winning the Senior Championship.  He credits this
from the work he did on the scoring stuff for Rybka).  And improved
search.  These 2 things make Rybka 3 an apparent class better than
anything else.

If you want to treat yourself to deep, go for it.  It will last you a
long time.  I have normal.  I am cheap.  Not as cheap as Martin though,
I don't think. ;-)

Rybka 4 looks to be getting it's improvements largely from improved
depth from many multiples of computers and machines.  This is probably a
reasonable gain, but unless there are dramatic improvements in scoring
or search, for most people Rybka 4 will not be as important and
reasonable as the Rybka 3 they will have on their machine.  Though
someday, local equipment will improve that Rybka 4 will make sense.

I've been away from computer chess for a few years. Retired now and
going to treat myself to a new program. I'd like the newest and best
Rybka. But there seems to be a lot of confusing variations. With GUI,
without GUI, extra cost opening book, standard  book. 32 bit, 64 bit,
etc.etc. My computer is a 2005 vintage, HP Pavilion - dual core
processor,  with 3 gig of ram and a 200 gig hard drive.

I've got Fritz 8, Rebel 11, and CM 9000. What Rybka do I need to buy?
I just gotta let a new program destroy my ego worse than those old
programs already have?

Thanks
Larry