Markovich wrote on 06/28/06 at 16:28:39:


I've heard Bookup is very good as an opening repertoire resource, in part because it handles transpositions really well (something to the effect it stores positions rather than move lists).  Although I've been tempted to get it, I eventually opted for Chessbase when I finally decided to pay money for Chess software.

Markovich,

Would you recommend Bookup to someone who is already using Chessbase or Chess Assistant?  For example, does Bookup enable you to do things (or do them much faster/easier) than the other programs do?

Thanks,
Ostap

GMTonyKosten wrote on 06/28/06 at 10:54:51:


I purchased Chessbase 9 earlier this year (had been using the free Chessbase lite but was starting to find that too limited) and have had problems with frequent crashing - thought it might have something to do with my computer (conflicting application or something).  So the frequent crashes are characteristic of the software...

Quote:

1. The Crafty link works for me.  Maybe try again(?)
2. Any WinBoard engine is compatible with SCID.  There are hundreds, though Ruffian (earlier versions are free) and Crafty (always free) lead the pack.  UCI engines are supposedly compatible with SCID with some complicated business called Polyglot or something.  I don't think proprietary engines work in SCID.  (But i'm not sure.)
3. In SCID, one can "delete duplicate games" in the "Maintenance Window" for easy pruning.
4. In SCID, I'm not sure how to link different annotations.  SCID has a Merge feature which inserts a game as a variation within a stem game, but i've never tried to merge comments.

Finally, I'd suggest again that you can try out these progs for yourself: CA-lite, SCID (full), and CB-lite are available for free download.  There is a lot to be said for a program's GUI & ease of use, notwithstanding features.  After all, you will be staring at the GUI a lot and eyestrain is no fun.  Although, if you want chess pieces designed like toy soldiers, CHESSMASTER! is the ticket. 

Greetings,

Thank you all for your responses!

TopNotch
Yes - I've been aware of that over the years.

Though, as Watson points out, Chess Assistant uses sources for games in the former Soviet states and Eastern Europe - possibly reflecting it's greater popularity there? And, perhaps, it's greater usefulness(!!?) - afterall, they have a tendency to play better chess than elsewhere in the world!

katar
That's most interesting!

Unfortunately, the Crafty link doesn't seem to work - I've tried other links to download Crafty (found through Google), but they don't seem to work either.  

I'll grant you, I may not be an IM but I used to be alright - I had won some "local" tournaments back in Ireland...years ago, I must admit.

My main problem has been the long breaks in my chess-playing life:

I played in the late-70s in Ireland (both at school and in tournaments) - but then had a 12-year break due to failing eyesight during my 20s. After operations on both eyes, I started playing again in the early 90s - including after coming over to the UK in 1992, where I played for the Bourne End club and also for Bucks (UK-based forum members will understand!).

Again, however, I dropped out due to work commitments - I work for a computer company. I'm looking to get back into the game again as my role has become less mentally-demanding (more managerial rather than programming/technically-oriented).

Apologies if I've put you all to sleep!  

Keano/Ptero
Quite possibly.

Someone I knew was involved with marketing ChessBase but then switched to Chess Assistant when it seemed to lose its way, to her mind, functionality-wise.

As you also say, Ptero, ChessBase may well be the more solid choice, if only because it's the de facto standard.

*****************************

A few more questions for you all...

Is Shredder/Hiarcs/Fritz compatible with Scid?

As regards downloading games...

Would it be possible to use a form of "Torrent" to do so?

I'm particularly thinking of the fact that ChessBase and Chess Assistant seem to use different sources for games - could one download from them all to whatever database software one is using or are they only accessible through their respective "paid-for" software?

How does one prevent the downloading of the same game many times?

Is there a way to link analyses from several annotators to a single game? Or is each annotated game seen as a "different" game?

As I think of more, I'll add them!  

Again, thank you for your responses so far!

Kindest regards,

James

Keano wrote on 06/27/06 at 07:41:47:


I'll second that. Once you get the going with Chess Assistant, working with ChessBase will look to you a bit lame. However you'll need some time and patience to learn to work with assistant, so Chessbase may be a more solid choice. 

For the impoverished or budget-minded there is also SCID

http://scid.sourceforge.net/

and Crafty engine (which ships with Fritz, so the Chessbase people must at least respect it to distribute it as a Fritz alternative)
http://cito.atspace.com/index.html

And (at least a few years ago) a Master recommended this combo over the "industry standard" programs
http://www.tomrowan.com/chess/articles/free_chess_software.html

**********
Lastly, you should download the free versions of Chess Assistant and Chessbase Light.  CB light is HIDEOUS-- a company with an ugly demo is very confident (egotistical?) indeed-- but CBL gives an idea how CB manipulates a database.

Personally I use SCID and it's fine for me.  In fact if I got CB or CA for free I would not switch.

PS, I am rated low, only 1700.  Depending on your level you may want to plump for a slicker proggy with bells and whistles.  BUt if you are an IM-candidate i do not think you would be asking this question.   
**********

As for games/database, PGN (not CB or CA) is the "industry standard".  PGN is universal.
I wrote something about how to compile a big database very quickly:
http://s95395959.onlinehome.us/public/chess/database/

Greetings,

I've been looking at getting back into chess after a number of years out of the game.

Given that openings books are virtually out-of-date by the time they're going to press, I've been looking at getting one of the above.

Can one download games/variations related to a specific opening, for instance?
Are the download sources exclusive to either or can one download from sources normally accessed by the other application?

Watson did a short review: http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/jwatsonbkrev54.html

I was wondering what everyone thought of these?

Kindest regards,

James