If you turn on World Chess tournament (any), you can listen to the hosts speaking hours and hours of information, such as statistics, plays, who made what plays, what play was ran during which game, etc. To someone who is not interested in chess, or who doesn’t play chess, this information might seem irrelevant or pointless. But to someone who is genuinely invested in the games, then this information can prove to be extremely valuable in understanding how the game is played.

A chess database is a database with all of this type of information on chess games. If you are a fan of chess, or someone who plays competitively, then you need a chess database. Wonder why? This will give you information about moves, when they were used, which chess masters used them, and answer any other questions that you might have about the game.

What Is A Chess Database?

A quality chess database is essentially just a large collection of chess games which have been electronically recorded. Prior to the invention of chess databases, chess players pretty much had to gather their own information, or read actual books (gasp!) on the subject.

Since the dawn of chess databases, famous chess masters have been using them to prepare for matches and to improve their game. A database will be able to tell you any number of different opening moves, when they have been used, and the statistics on the success/failure rates of those opening moves. This will give you some insight as to how you might want to play your game in the future.

You can also use a database as a history book, marking different matches throughout time for your convenience. It is definitely more convenient to have them all listed on one website, with the ability to search them up on command, than having to locate them recorded in a book somewhere.

Why Should You Use Them?

While chess databases are on the rise, it does seem as if few people really understand the true benefit of having access to a chess database. If you download a chess database, then you will be able to find all the moves that you have ever thought of using, and determine if you should be using them or not.

If you use a chess database, then you will be able to study your openings. Not only will they all be laid out for you, but you will be able to see other people’s success rates with them, you will be able to add your own comments recording your personal experience with these moves, and you will be able to get all the latest updates on which opening moves are being and when.

You can also use a chess database as a study for upcoming matches against known opponents. If your opponent has ever had a game recorded in a database, then you can use the database as a tool to see how they play their game, and devise a strategy accordingly.

The best chess databases will be updated in frequently, so you know that you will always be getting the latest information, as opposed to finding dated information from a book that was released even as little as a year ago. We, at Opening Master, update the chess databases regularly every month different database. Since we have three major products such as OM GOLEM, OM OTB and OM CORR, each chess database is updated at least on quarterly basis. Sometimes more frequently. Each time we add at least 50,000 games and most of all clean up the content released before. (it is never ending cleaning in the house)

Who Uses Chess Databases?

In order to become truly a master of chess, you can’t only play chess and study your own games. You also have to study and pay attention to the games of others. This gives fresh insight into how the game is played. You may find that someone makes a move that you would have never thought of using before, and this will give you an advantage the next time you play. Or sometimes you play a totally new move called Novelty which wasn't played before. This move however needs to be played several times after you and have successful rate before you can name it. ;-)

Because of this, all masters of chess must use human chess databases. They need to be able to access a great number of games, so that they can learn from a great number of different moves and plays. It has been said that in the 1993 match between Kasparov and Short, Short selected his second because of his skills with databases.

If you would like to become a true chess master, then you need to make use of the biggest chess databases available to you, so that you can study more games than even offered on other chess databases.

How Can You Find the Best Databases?

If you are looking for the best chess database, then you should really look no further. Because you are already here. Opening Master provides only chess games that were played by two humans. There are no games which were played by computers, either a human against a computer or otherwise. There are no games which are presented on the database more than once. Each game is presented once, and the we update it regularly, so you are always getting the most recent data.

The best chess databases are organized in a way that makes sense. They have also standardized players’ names, so that researching histories will be less confusing for users. A quality chess database will allow you to search for moves based on ELO.

If you are serious about finding a chess database that will allow you to do all of these things, then you can find a lot of helpful information on chess forums such as Chess.com - High Quality Chess Databases or Databases - Tips, Tricks and Software . This is where real chess players comment real products out there and we don't mind the competition. You have done some research of your own, you will be able to make an informed decision on which chess database is right for you. While there are some databases that are free, you will more than likely find that in order to get the most regularly updated, quality information, you have to pay a monthly subscription fee.

If you have found this information to be helpful, and you don’t mind paying for a annual fee in order to ensure your victory against all your future opponents, then Opening Master is without a doubt the right chess database for you. You will have access to one of the best and biggest chess databases currently operating. Check out our information available online or contact us directly.

This article is published as series of Newcomers Corner. Stay tuned for more.

Opening Master Team