Chess

[Jkaen]

I keep on wondering if I should be using one of these. At the moment I rely on the game explorer in chess.com which basically is a database off all moves played in all the games. hence say against e4 it tells me 225,000 played c5, 160,000 played e5 etc. It doesnt however say if these were the right decisions or explain the implications behind heading down that path.

I generally use it as a check for the first few moves, work out what I would do, see if other people have played similar if not re-examine and see what I may have missed

[uberfish]

On the other hand I don't feel like I'm really playing the game if we play 20 opening book moves before original thought starts, and it's already endgame.

[Gustaran]

I keep on wondering if I should be using one of these. At the moment I rely on the game explorer in chess.com which basically is a database off all moves played in all the games. hence say against e4 it tells me 225,000 played c5, 160,000 played e5 etc. It doesnt however say if these were the right decisions or explain the implications behind heading down that path.

I generally use it as a check for the first few moves, work out what I would do, see if other people have played similar if not re-examine and see what I may have missed

I purchased ChessBase 12 yesterday and it has two main advantages:

1) It shows the average percentage that each side scores with a move. IIRC white scores an average of about 54%. So if you find a move that scores 60% while playing as white it's probably a great choice. One with only 50% not so much.

2) LiveBook: This is an online opening database that is constantly expanded. If I understand correctly, it takes into account all the user generated engine moves in an opening line, i.e. often you find a theoretical novelty that has been "discovered" by an engine as opposed to be played in a human game.


@uberfish: Well, you can always deviate first . Kidding aside, I decided to play a bunch of offbeat stuff in my rematches. It's simply no fun to follow a line for 20 moves and then be stuck in a position where you have no clue what to do.

[Jkaen]

Yup the opening against me has me confused already

[MJW (ya that one)]

There was a silly draw with Gustaran. He accpeted an early draw rather than playing the dumb-looking Qe1 move.

[waterbat]

took me a while to find Qe1! im like - WHY is this even remotely drawn??

[waterbat]

oh no! Sian is crushing me! I might end 2 streaks! MJW's undefeated one is also in jeopardy!

Uberfish: are you playing on a tablet or something that might prevent you from seeing my draw offers? continuing to play that game hurts my head

[Gustaran]

Uberfish: are you playing on a tablet or something that might prevent you from seeing my draw offers? continuing to play that game hurts my head

Why is this game still going ?

I also would like to present the blunder of the day: Here I - playing as white - decided to grab the "free" pawn on b6...
Can you see why it's poisoned?

[Rowain]

Uberfish: are you playing on a tablet or something that might prevent you from seeing my draw offers? continuing to play that game hurts my head

Why is this game still going ?

I also would like to present the blunder of the day: Here I - playing as white - decided to grab the "free" pawn on b6...
Can you see why it's poisoned?

My best guess has something todo with ... Bd4 (and c4)and the unpleassantries that could happen with f4-f3 and the black queen on the kingside.

[waterbat]

yes, 1 Rxb3 f3 2. g3 Bd4 3. Kh2 (or Kh1) c4 4. Qxc4 Bxb3

but i dont know - white has a little comp for it - he was already up the exchange, so down a minor piece for an outside passer. but black definitely has at least a draw - if needed trade the minor piece for the passer - with BooC on the board - likely drawn <shrug>

oh my - this chess.com "analyze button" where you can pull up a seperate board for looking at lines is making me feel soooooooo lazy. I'd stop using them, but i probably wouldnt be competetive. Same goes for any kind of opening database.