MNb wrote on 05/23/11 at 03:19:50:



Thanks.  Looks like a great link!  I've also since discovered that it looks like my copy of Fritz 10 has the "Big Database" through 2005.  Knew it had a database of games, but wasn't sure what it was...also looks like TWIC has downloadable games back to 2002.  So maybe I can just update the Fritz DB with TWIC from 2005 onwards to start...

zepled37 wrote on 05/23/11 at 01:19:42:


Am not sure what you mean by online Chessbase database? The downloadable chess database I mentioned is from ChessDB not Chessbase. If you want access to online databases, there are quite a few around ......

I think the question has been answered previously on this forum. But here is my 2 cents worth:

I use ChessDB as my database manager and on the website there is a free database of chess games totalling 3.5 million games. But the database of games ends around 1995. I then go to TWIC and download the games from there. If you match the two and eliminate the doubles, you have a pretty good database of games (not perfect but sufficiently good for amateurs) and it is all free. ChessDB also comes with free engines which are sufficient for amateurs.

There are also sites around which have similar 3.5 million chess games for download.

PS, you don't even have to buy Chessbase 11! Use the money to buy something else. You can download Houdini free to use as engine to supplement ChessDB engines (but I admit I have not done it as yet).

PPS ChessDB is similar to SCID and share the same source codes but diverged sometime back. There is a bit of history there if you are interested.

Hi all,

I just got a new computer and am going to get the download version of Chessbase 11...I wasn't planning on buying one of the game databases to go with it unless necessary.

Looking for recommendations on how to go about building a decent library of games.  Is the Chessbase database the best way to go or is there a cheaper option of downloading a game set?

Thanks