Originally posted by drdonWhat, how can there be amiguity? A database is a database, an engine is an engine. The first is allowed, the second isn't.
There is a degree of ambiguity among some players as to what constitutes a 'database'. Generally speking, if it is called something like Fritz or 'Tiger chess' it's computer software, not a databse and there is strong possibility that you will be caught and banned.
Endgame Tablebases are a special case. Partly because they can only be accessed by an engine and partly because they allow for flawless play with no actual thought. They aren't allowed.
Originally posted by XanthosNZNot sure how the ambiguity arises. Some players openly admit to using Tiger on their palms, apparently confusing these with "databases" which they clearly are not.
What, how can there be amiguity? A database is a database, an engine is an engine. The first is allowed, the second isn't.
Endgame Tablebases are a special case. Partly because they can only be accessed by an engine and partly because they allow for flawless play with no actual thought. They aren't allowed.
Worth thinking about Xanthos, but these players apparently had no idea what they were doing might be considered cheating. I hasten to add that I have no current games with thse palyers.They wouldn't have mentioned it if they thought they were cheating. I believe thay were simply confused about what it is they were and weren't allowed to do under the terms of service. Typically these players don't use Tiger for all there moves, or even long series of moves. They appear use Tiger in tight situations to give them an edge. Some of these players are longtime RHP users.
Originally posted by drdonDid you point out that it is cheating?
Worth thinking about Xanthos, but these players apparently had no idea what they were doing might be considered cheating. I hasten to add that I have no current games with thse palyers.They wouldn't have mentioned it if they thought they were cheating. I believe thay were simply confused about what it is they were and weren't allowed to do under the terms of s ...[text shortened]... Tiger in tight situations to give them an edge. Some of these players are longtime RHP users.
Originally posted by LanndonKaneYes you should. How effective they are in raising ratings is a moot point; my rating went up from around 1550-1650 to around 1650-1750 shortly after I began using a database, but then that was also the time I subscribed and stopped using this site as somewhere to blitz away at work.
How many of you use databases?
Since they are allowed on the site, and my goal is to get to 1500+, and my opponents may be using them, I am wondering if I should use them too.
More importantly, if used correctly, they give you better understanding of openings and (obviously) better positions to take into the middlegame.
I don't generally use databases, and I have managed to reach 1550. I believe that is based mostly on my understanding of general opening principles, and a little bit of study of some openings and gambits.
However, I have begun to feel that to improve my rating further, I'll need to have much better understanding of opening theory. So, what I have started doing recently is when I encounter an opening that I am not familiar with, or a move in an opening that surprises me, I play the next move on my own, but then _after_ the move (or a few moves later), I look up the theory to find out whether I found the "correct" line. I feel that this helps me more than if I had looked up the opening theory immediately.