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wrecking_ball 07-Apr-14, 09:39	Chess Opening Explorer/Chess Ok statistics reference guide: Club members and others may want to occasionally check back with these free guides to look at the opening move for move win/draw stats for both white and black.Its key to note that in these databases,the numbers change depending upon if you are in the "big database" or the "masters" database.You can switch between the two once your on the first link.These are 2 databases,there are many others...some better and more complete and some other databases that are not nearly as complete as the Opening Explorer/Chess OK stat base.Finding the "best"opening databases and doing your research can help you win games indeed as most of the masters do.But as "free"goes,these are a pretty good one's indeed.Depending upon your rating strength,you will not need to be overly concerned with these stat numbers,but as a curiosity in your learning stages you may want to take a peep.When you are moving up the ladder in chess strength,then these databases are more important to study. www.365chess.com chessok.com Some databases are not free of charge like the good example in the link below.The ones you pay $$ for are generally better,more cutting edge up to date,updated more frequently and have more "bells and whistles".An example of just ONE of my professional opening databases that I use(which is updated quarterly)is the Hiarcs Opening book which is much more complete(tons more) than the free database links above.The link below is for Hiarcs if you want to shell out some $$ and get on par with me.But then,there is perpetual fee's after that to keep a "subscription"going for this pro database.So,it depends upon your needs of such a database and your level of play.The free databases suffice for most players,but on the master to GM levels where the competition is much more fierce,gaining the best edge comes with a pricetag.And that pricetag is a big team of researchers putting together things like Hiarcs, Rybka4,Shredder or Houdini Opening Book(other one's you can purchase).Someone has to pay their salaries! www.hiarcs.com A word of extreme caution! I have seen some of those "free downloads"that you can get off the internet like an updated version of Hiarcs.I highly suggest you do not even attempt to download the so called "free"pirated versions!I once did that and got virus's and other nasty things that practically shut down my computer!There is one right now as I write this for a Hiarcs14 torrent.Don't download!You may very well have to call in a specialist to unfreeze your computer!And if you think that your Nortons or other security scans will simply clear these things up or prevent problems,think again!I have some of the best antivirus software installed(AVG)and my computer still turned to frozen pancake syrup lying on the ice in Antarctica after downloading a free version of Hiarcs which you would normally pay for.Don't believe it or want to take the risk anyway?Be my guest!But if I don't hear from you for a few weeks or months,don't say you were not warned! WB
wrecking_ball 07-Apr-14, 09:40	What good is all these stats you may ask... Hmmmm,after looking at even the free databases above...no wonder I mistrust playing a Sicilian as black,especially several variational lines!White is either winning at a higher % rate or their is way too many draws!No wonder I am losing too many rating points for that draw against those 2300 rated players!(Just an example of my private thoughts!See?).See how a database might help?Lets see,what can I play that has better winning possibilities than that Najdorf?Some French closed Defense?Am I better at closed games as opposed to a faster open game?Maybe I am?Lets see which closed defense var of the French has the best stats for black.Maybe i'll do better in the French Defense as opposed to the Sicilian?Lets go with the stats! .........Just taking you into the minds of some of the masters!Whether this applies to you or not,may be a different story!
baddeeds 08-Apr-14, 14:12	Game DB Yes, I have tried this before, but in the past I've had bad results with the Game DB. And, that's because I don't know why a move is suggested. This happened a few years ago, and it was actually my worst game on this site, and second worst one ever. In that particular game, my opponent attempted the, "Four Move Trick." Note: I was black and the opponent, white. After 1.e4, I responded with the Sicilian Defense. But, after wards, instead of developing his N, he got his B into play, targeting the f7 square, as you'd see with SM. But then, instead of playing 2...e6, which now I know is the best response, instead I played 2...e5?? because I thought that the database told me to do so. As it turns out though, that was the losing blunder because in order to avoid mate, I had to give up R, as he played a powerful fork between my K and R. So, later on, much later, there was a forum about the database which shamash and I discussed. He agreed with my assessment and said that I should avoid it, unless I know why certain moves are suggested.
wrecking_ball 08-Apr-14, 14:26	And I agree with shamash as well Joe!Like I said above..."Just taking you into the minds of some of the masters!Whether this applies to you or not,may be a different story"! And the "why"certain moves are suggested is where some of the theory I discuss comes into play.On the lower rating levels,databases are indeed not to be taken too seriously,but looked at once in a while.My posts on databases,however,are for players of much higher ratings as well,(not necessarily masters)who will find my info and interjected discussions on the stats very important.So it depends on your level of play.Do not forget Joe,the GK opening database is actually not nearly as good as others.Not that this is important to you right now,but something to remember down the line.

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