Skip to content
TheChessWorld.com
TheChessWorld Facebook TheChessWorld Twitter TheChessWorld Pinterest TheChessWorld YouTube
  • Start Here
  • Play
  • Learn
    • Training Techniques
    • Openings
    • Middlegame
    • Endgames
    • General Information
  • Tournaments
  • Academy
  • 21-Day Course
  • Store
    • TheChessWorld
    • TCW Academy
    • iChess
    • Chess-Teacher
    • Modern Chess
    • Roman Chess Lab
    • Foxy Chess
    • Grandmaster Magazine
    • ChessLecture
    • ICC
    • Rules Chess Strategies
    • Improve My Chess
    • Others
  • Contact
TheChessWorld.com
Close

ChessBase 13: In Search of The Treasure Trove

chessbibliophile
chessbibliophile
05.21.2016
Category: Reviews
Tags: chess, chessbase,

Our columnist introduces ChessBase 13 program with special emphasis on its database-Ed.

 

I made my first acquaintance with ChessBase a few years ago when I offered some of my writing to this site. “Do you use our program?” asked Mr. Frederic Friedel, the venerable paterfamilias.

chessbase

Now the only ChessBase program I knew of was CB Light, a nice freeware for viewing games. In those days it didn’t have a big database and an engine to speak of. So I merely shrugged my shoulders. Mr. Friedel, however, had no use for half measures and sent the program immediately.

chessbase

ChessBase site

He must have come to regret that decision later! Over years whenever I have wanted to find fault with the analysis here, I have merely used the program and pointed out with glee, “Your own little fellow says so!”

That first version I used had four board designs and my favourite was pink.

chessbase

I still have a soft corner for this beauty and ChessBase 10 has remained with me for good. In the current version there are other colours to choose from. I am afraid I don’t fancy them so much. So I have settled for maple, it’s standard anyway.

The current program became available in November, 2014. I wasn’t eager for change and resisted it for quite some time. But then ChessBase 12, the program I was using so for began to show signs of exhaustion. So now I have this new program. If you are a newcomer and check with ChessBase you find it has four versions. You begin to wonder what to choose. So here is a simple comparison. The Download version is the most basic. It comes with access to Online Database with now more than 7 million games. No more.

The Starter Package is better, with Big Database 2016 (6.4 million games from 1475 to 2015) and update till the end of the current year. The games in Big Database have neither analysis nor commentary. For this reason it’s often seen as a poor cousin of MegaBase that has as many as 68,000 annotated games. I for one do not share this perception. The Big Database allows you to follow a game independently.

After each move you ask yourself, “why” or “why not?” You enter your own variations and try to understand how the game was won, lost or drawn. Those lines that you see by yourself are your precious contribution to the game. But are they sound? So you ask wise old “Fritz” what he thinks. The old boy knows a thing or two.

chessbase

On occasion you are not happy with his answer. Some times his way of thinking is too impersonal, not the way we ordinary mortals think. Then you ask the players what they think. If they tell you, well and good. Otherwise the commentators will fill in the gaps.

Those are the annotated games in MegaBase. Currently annotations have become a collaborative endeavour with Let us check and ChessBase Cloud facilities. That’s nice. But no matter who says what, do use your own grey cells in the end for judging a position.

Now that you have the database before you where do you begin? One way is to search for miniatures, say, games with 20 moves. When I started I was looking for the shortest of them all. Out of curiosity I set the parameters to 0 moves and was astonished to find 67,500 entries. They mention the names of players, the event and the result. But no moves! If you are a practical player you start cursing these entries for being of no use to you. But if you are an historian or archivist they are of interest as they offer valuable clues on how or where the game can be found. Any way these entries with zero moves form only 1% of the database. So they should not be a cause for concern to the practical player.

chessbase

This database also includes a memorable blitz match of 24 games played between Kasparov and Kramnik way back in 1998.

chessbase

Here is one of them:

Kramnik, Vladimir-Kasparov, Garry, Blitz Match, Moscow 1998

 

A terrific performance by Garry! It speaks for the courage confidence of his young rival that even after this loss he finished with an even score, 12:12 (+ 6,-6, =12)! Two years later he made history, vanquishing Garry himself to claim the world crown.

A chess database is never finished. It’s constantly evolving. Old games are forever found and new games are added every day. On occasion it also needs a bit of correction. For example, a CC game may find its way into an OTB database or vice-versa. (A miniature, Keres-Menke,1933 included here was in fact played in a correspondence tournament.)

This calls for a closer collaboration between chess historians, players and database specialists. It’s also necessary to widen the parameters so that non-standard items like training or offhand games are included. A case in point is the following miniature that was played in the house of Alois Nagler, President, Zürich Chess Club. With just 5 seconds a move, Keres and Bronstein created a masterpiece.

Keres, Paul-Bronstein, David, offhand game, Zürich 1965

A game that Anderssen and Morphy would have approved!

If you are a newcomer to this program, a few names present a problem. Don’t worry, you are not alone. Do you know why Ian Nepomniachtchi is such a successful blitz player?

chessbase

Most of his opponents spend precious time just getting his name right on the score sheet and run out of clock (I am kidding!). In this database he appears as Nepomniaschchy. Now that’s phonetically right, but you would hardly find it elsewhere.

chessbase

Similarly you won’t find Viktor Korchnoi on this database. After some effort you see him

under another name, Kortschnoj, Viktor. But the results are worth the trouble. There are more than 5000 games to his credit including the encounter you see in this picture. It took 40 moves for the warlord (“Kortchnoi” as shown here) to subdue the wunderkind who was to become the world champion.

When you see a database of 6.4 million games you are overwhelmed. It is not for nothing that we have the proverb: Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.

But there are nuggets everywhere if you know how to find them. Here are three remarkable positions from the database. You are invited to give each a reasonable try (solutions next time!).

1) The following position was reached in a simultaneous display by Dr. Emanuel Lasker. Black, a gifted amateur is several pawns up. But White has a shot that turns the tables on Black. Thereafter he still needs a precise move order to win. Lasker missed it and lost! Can you do better?

chessbase

White to play

2)This position was reached between a veteran grandmaster and a modest IM. The young man had boldly sacrificed the exchange and valiantly advanced his forces deep into White territory.

But now he saw the White rooks invading the third rank and felt intimidated. Sheepishly, he offered a draw. To his chagrin the grandmaster would have none of it and announced, he had already sealed Re6+ winning.

Thinking there was nothing left, the young master resigned without resuming play. What would you have done?

chessbase

Black to play

 

3)Here Black’s advantage is obvious. He can win a pawn, exert pressure or go for more drastic measures. Which course of action do you prefer?

chessbase

Black to play

 

 

Now that was fun! It was Tim Krabbé whose writing led me to these curiosities, but I found the complete game scores only here in this database. You would find more such curiosities if you know where to look.

chessbase

We live in an age of ratings and numbers. But if you are looking for inspiration Elo is not everything. You would find plenty of it in a genius like Nezhmetdinov. When you see his games your imagination would take wings and soar to heights.

chessbase

Here is the final phase of a combination by the old maestro and the gallant loser was all admiration for it. No prizes for guessing his name, though.

chessbase

White to play

 

 

That was elegant, wasn’t it?

To return to the database I have not said a word about the galaxy of chess stars who have lit up its horizons … from Labourdonnais and McDonnell to Carlsen and Karjakin. If you look across centuries you will see how they have all worshipped at the same altar of Caissa. Find their thoughts, feel their agony and share their ecstasy. This database comes to life. Amen.

Recommended.

For more info. on the program, see the publisher’s site.

Find this post useful? Share it?
Become a Chess Player You've Meant to Be!
TCW Academy is the fast, fun & convenient way to become a MUCH better chess player.
Join Academy Today!

Related Posts

  • chessbase reviewChessBase Magazine #170 Review
  • chessbase reviewChessBase Magazine #169 Review
  • chessbaseChessBase Magazine #167 Review
Related Products
0 0 votes
Article Rating
Login
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Join the FREE Road to 2200 Masterclass (and learn how to Attack Like a Chess Master)
We value your privacy
Supercharge Your Chess in 21 Days!
Join Academy Today!
TheChessWorld.com
http://pogonina.com/
Company
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • F.A.Q.
  • Partnership
  • Blog
  • Grandmasters
  • Jobs
Chess Resources
  • TCW Academy
  • The Store
  • 21 Day Course
Top Resources
  • Opening Lab
  • Mastermind
  • Chess Mastery Series
  • Academy
100% Secure Purchase
Customer Support +1 (410) 656-9104
Email Us [email protected]
Contact Us
Facebook Twitter Mail Pinterest Youtube
Copyright 2007-2023 • TheChessWorld.com • All Rights Reserved
Cookie Policy | Acceptable Use Policy | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of all the cookies.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
wpDiscuz
wpDiscuz