hi, after reading Mad Rooks post , research has shown that strong players utilize databases. my query is this, how is this done practically, what i am trying to say (c'mon robbie spit it out), is well what do we do.
for example what usually happens is this, my opponent makes a move, if its not in my chess books i look it up on the database, find similar games and then pick a move that i like. Eventually after the game diversifies, there are no similar games and i have reached a position with no plan and no real understanding on how i got there, and even when i do know a little theory it soon runs out and one is left to think for one self. this naturally could have been prevented from the very beginning, when if i had played original chess, albeit with some mistakes, at least i would know how i came to be in that particular position, thus being not a little worse of than if i had followed the database, which as far as i can see, eventually leads to an even worse state of affairs.
so any insight into how a database is best utilized is most appreciated - kind regards robbie.
IMO, at relatively weak levels (my level and below at least), this issue of not understanding the resulting position is just not all that relevant. The fact is, you can't really claim to understand *any* position all that well at this level. So you'll win more even by just following a database blindly, because at least you wind up in a position a master-level player considered playable, and you don't lose games because you dropped a pawn (or worse) in the opening.
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For games databases like Chessbase:
If its an opening I don't know very well, I tend to play through 20-30 games (fast) to get an idea of what the variations are like and get an idea for candidate moves. Then I pick 1-3 moves and play through maybe 10 games with each move to see what kind of positions come up. Then I'll pick one that seems to lead to the kind of positions I like and analyze it and see if it looks OK without the database. I'll go back to the database if something funny occurs in the analysis like I reach a really bad position for one side or the other. Usually in these cases I missed something.
For openings I know well, I tend to look at more recent games to catch up on whatever the newest ideas are. Sometimes I play them, sometimes not.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieI use them to build by opening repertuare step by step, in an opening book format (.ctg) of chessbase. but I think I'm close to having exhausted human database resources in the lines I play. That's where the computer analysis gets in.
hi, after reading Mad Rooks post , research has shown that strong players utilize databases. my query is this, how is this done practically, what i am trying to say (c'mon robbie spit it out), is well what do we do.
for example what usually happens is this, my opponent makes a move, if its not in my chess books i look it up on the database, find ...[text shortened]...
so any insight into how a database is best utilized is most appreciated - kind regards robbie.
with the .ctg format it's a lot easier to learn and memorize your openings, and it's the single best way to build and improve your repertuare. I believe this is how GMs do it.
The way I do it is I think of a move to play, or maybe 2 options, then check the database if it's not a blunder or a better option is available. Also, I check out the following moves to see what kind of position arises, I like more closed positions so I won't play an opening that's very tactical even if it has a high database %, because my middlegame play won't be compatible with that kind of opening.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieHA ! That is my big problem too ! Don't ever, EVER follow blindly good database moves only because they score good. As you said, you'll reach some position where you'll be out of book and totally clueless. Not to mention that this attitude can reflect absymal on your OTB abilities.
hi, after reading Mad Rooks post , research has shown that strong players utilize databases. my query is this, how is this done practically, what i am trying to say (c'mon robbie spit it out), is well what do we do.
for example what usually happens is this, my opponent makes a move, if its not in my chess books i look it up on the database, find ...[text shortened]...
so any insight into how a database is best utilized is most appreciated - kind regards robbie.
Here is what I started to do : Take your time and try to figure out good opening moves on your own. Pick some candidates and find the logic behind them. When you decide about your good moves only then check the database. If you took enough time to think about your opening moves before checking database, you'll be surprised how often you will make good book move before you used any reference.
As a result, you'll memorize openings faster and understand arising positions much, much better. It is also motivating because you are playing your own chess and database is only a supervisor of your ideas. If you are wrong, try to see why is your candidate move out of book and pick a better one.
Just my few thoughts.
Originally posted by robbie carrobieSteve Lopez wrote a series of articles for Chessbase on using databases for correspondence chess. Really useful.
hi, after reading Mad Rooks post , research has shown that strong players utilize databases. my query is this, how is this done practically, what i am trying to say (c'mon robbie spit it out), is well what do we do.
for example what usually happens is this, my opponent makes a move, if its not in my chess books i look it up on the database, find ...[text shortened]...
so any insight into how a database is best utilized is most appreciated - kind regards robbie.
Originally posted by Brucknerhonestly people suggestions are very very helpful, keep them coming for this seems to be quite a common phenomena, ill try to search for steves articles - regards robbie.
Steve Lopez wrote a series of articles for Chessbase on using databases for correspondence chess. Really useful.