How to effectively use Chess Databases?

Hi friends,

I am pretty new to using chess databases. The following are my queries regarding them.

1. The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear database is, it is a software which stores all my chess games (or other master games) and classify them into different openings and variations.Is that all there is to it or am I missing something big?

2. How do I import games (say from Chess.com/Playchess.com) into my database (I have downloaded Chessbase Light software) and see what openings and variations do I play most and how do I fare in each of them?

It would be really very helpful if someone could plz address my queries and suggest some basic ways on effectively analysing my games using databases?

Thanks and Cheers,

Ahhca,

1. ... yes, can store all YOUR games, but many databases come with a million ( or several million) high quality master games, sometimes with analysis. This is another value of some databases. You can see what the masters play in your lines.

2. Download the pgn files of your games from your games archive here. Then open ChessBase and open new database, browse to find your games and they will be available to you. In ChessBase there is an option to classify your games with the ECO opening number system. Do that. You can select groups of games and see statistics on them in ChessBase, telling you what the won-loss ratio is and what your performance rating is with White or Black.

Lastly, ChessBase comes with one or more analysis engines. Click on the little engine icon and you will be able to analyze the current position. If you have Fritz, you can move from CB to F in seamless fashion and use Fritz's extra tools to analyze (Blunder Chess, Shoot out, etc.).

Have fun.

IM Dave Pruess, who hosts many of the Chess.com TV shows, said he is planning a show (or shows) on database use sometime in the future. So stay tuned for that...

Thank you very much both DrawMaster and kptom. Will explore ur suggestions and get back incase of any other queries.

Cheers,

I imported the pgn file of my games here at chess.com into Chessbaselight database. Now I am able to view my games in the viewer but I am NOT able to use the Openings statistics feature there.

It is asking something like "Install Big key, small key" etc. When I click the tabs, nothing happens. So How am I suppose to install them?

What am I suppose to do to classify my games based on openings and see how I fare in each of them?

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

Cheers,

P.S: Tried uploading a pic from the database but I am not able to resize it Sorry for the inconvenience.

I believe these features are avilable only to those that have purchased the full version of the program.

Yes, pobably. However, using the "keys" is not the way to go for opening statistics even in the full version, I think. For what it's worth, what I do with the full version is choose all my games in one colour, right click / selection to book / and then use the "opening book" tab in the game viewing mode to see any statistics.