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Since we're all users here, I figured we could exchange web addresses of our favorite databases. Here are the ones I use (thanks to all the people who are helping me add to this list): http://www.chess.com/explorer/ http://chessok.com/?page_id=352 http://www.365chess.com/opening.php http://gameknot.com/chess-games-database.pl?h=1&bd=0&fb=0 http://www.shredderchess.com/online-chess/online-databases/opening-database.html http://www.chessgames.com/perl/explorer http://www.chessage.com/database/opbrowser.php http://www.chessebook.com/openings3.php http://www.masterchessgames.com/Chess-Openings-Explorer.htm http://www.eudesign.com/chessops/ http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Opening_theory_in_chess http://www.csm.astate.edu/~wpaulsen/chess/chess.htm These last three do not have # of games or winning percentages listed next to their moves and generally run out earlier than the others, but they explain each move in a lot more detail which I find infinitely more useful in making my decisions (especially when the various databases disagree). What are some other online databases out there that people have found useful? Thanks to all the users contributing to this list!! As requested, here is a quick recap of other links mentioned below (see individual posts for more details): http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html http://www.chesslive.de/ http://chesslab.com/PositionSearch.html http://www.newinchess.com/NICBase/Default.aspx?PageID=400 http://www.openingmaster.com/

i use my pea sized brain I thought all games here were played as OTB. I was briefly looking into an opening that somebody played against me and I wasn't familiar with and I felt guilty. Now, I find out people are using complete games in databases. That's ridiculous, in my opinion. Using databases in chess is like drugs in sport! Say NO! I would never even consider using tools for improved play! Of course do from time to time study the various parts of chess but I just feel that it would not be me playing if I used books etc. never touch the stuff... just wouldn't feel right to me. Why cant people just play the game in front of them. In my opinion using aids such as those tells me you are really insecure of your game. If winning is really important to you, maybe you should turn professional. Its a game, there is a winner and a loser, mostly, deal with it.

Since the same questions are raised in the forums time and again , albeit with slight variations, e.g. can I use chess engine while playing? can I use a database during LiveChess can I use a tablebase for VoteChess can I consult a book while playing turn-based chess can I google for a position etc. would it be a good idea to produce a set of succint articles clearly setting out the rules? Get these articles published, then direct all future enquirers to the relevant article, at the same time educating them how to find such articles for themselves. Finding articles is not all that straightforward: Method 1: READ -> Articles. Then use the article search. Method 2: Use the site search (top right of the screen). Search for something. This takes you to the site search box. In the Category drop-down, select articles. Most of the information has been written (many times over) in the Tally topic. Unfortunately, there is no mechanism for referencing a specific posting - only a page of posts. So it would just be a matter of trawling through that discussions and extracting the best answers.

Welcome aboard, fellow users! In our upcoming first team match against the Non-Users (N'Users?), I imagine that we will reserve our right to utilise all available facilities, right? Let the N'Users challenge us to a match on their own terms, if they so wish. You are all articulate and capable spokespersons for this crusade. Feel free to lead from the front! For starters, perhaps someone would like to kick off a topic to generate a motto for the group. And what about an icon - from somebody artistically minded? I look forward to the day when decent, law-abiding members of chess.com can walk these boards without looking over their shoulders, wondering when someone is going to come up to them and say: "Using databases! That's isn't allowed, surely?"

Why do I appear to be the admin of the group?

When I mentioned this earlier in one of our forums I was poking fun at some of the views of us users in the forums. However it seems one of our team in the match has been banned for cheating...not sure of what type. I've removed them from the team list for the match obviously. http://www.chess.com/echess/profile/cirrus45 I guess this is one game where "having a good engine" as the football (soccer) saying goes isn't actually a good thing.