3/13/2012 – Do you know the option "Theoretical weight" in our database program? Steven Dowd shows theory fans how to use just a few clicks to scour games from recent tournaments for TNs. "Based on games I knew had important TNs, I found that the database handled it with great accuracy for the most part," he writes, giving the program 6/6 stars in his latest Chess Cafe review.
new: Fritz 20
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before. FRITZ is more than just a chess engine – it’s a training revolution! Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 with analyses by Giri, Blübaum and many others. Opening videos by Kasimdzhanov, Sokolov and Blohberger. Training columns including ‘The Fortress’, ‘The Trap’, ‘Fundamental Endgame Knowledge’ and much more
€21.90
Too Much Chess, Even for Me!
First up this month is more on my latest favorite toy: ChessBase 11. Then a
look at the latest ChessBase Magazine, and finally two trainers: one
on converting a win and another on the Nimzo-Indian. Normally I watch each trainer
at least three times before writing my review; however, there was so much material
on ChessBase Magazine #146, I had to soften that approach. It was too
much chess (at least in a short time period!) even for a long-time chess nut
like me!
To begin I will note a frustrating bug. When copying games from one database
to another, if you copy the games and then close the source database before
pasting them into the target database, the games will not copy. The source database
has to stay open. I understand this bug has already been reported to ChessBase
and I hope it is being worked on.
One of the newest features of CB11 is one that theory fans will love; an option
called theoretical weight, in which TNs are classified by CB11. Based on games
I knew had important TNs, I found that the database handled it with great accuracy
for the most part. In some cases you will have to know (or keep playing through
the database) to find the novelty. You can do this in an opening by clicking
on "Reference." For a theoretical novelty in an opening I knew well,
I found that the game Rhine-Sprenkle, Midwest Masters 1981, is still the top
theoretical novelty in the Nimzowitsch Sicilian. That is the famous game from
the Informant and Nunn's Beating the Sicilian; it is also
Game #218 in 1000TN!!. I
used the database of games in the Tiviakov trainer (reviewed below) and found
some interesting ideas for use in my own games as well.
Let's look at the games from the recently completed Bunratty Masters as an
example:
At the very right is the column for theoretical weight; you can see the various
dots with different shading and sizes. The larger and darker the dot, the greater
the theoretical weight. When I click on that column, the games are arranged
by their theoretical importance:
And you can see, there were not many theoretical innovations (the dots only
get progressively lighter and smaller after the few examples above). By going
through the Adams-Short game, and keeping the "Reference" window open,
you will find that the TN was White's 9.bxa5:
Previously 9.b5 was preferred (which still looks better to me). My thought
is that 9.bxa5 was probably a psychological ploy, but then again, many TNs are.
However, my purpose here is to show the "theory mavens" how to scour
games from recent tournaments for TNs. Anyone who follows modern theory closely
will find this a very useful tool, and even those of us who play more offbeat
openings will find it useful in identifying games with novelties.
My assessment of this product: Excellent (six out of six
stars)
Nick Murphy shows you how to handle ChessBase 11 with ease
How to learn the functionality without looking into the manual? Nick Murphy
explains how to use the new interface. Just click on the video image to start
listening.
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
The Hyper-Accelerated Dragon is fast, from the very first moves, your bishop heads to g7, seizes the long diagonal, and turns into the most feared piece on the board.
It rewards players who love initiative and clear attacking plans.
The Hyper-Accelerated Dragon is fast, from the very first moves, your bishop heads to g7, seizes the long diagonal, and turns into the most feared piece on the board.
It rewards players who love initiative and clear attacking plans.
The Hyper-Accelerated dragon is fast, from the very first moves, your bishop heads to g7, seizes the long diagonal, and turns into the most feared piece on the board.
It rewards players who love initiative and clear attacking plans.
“Mate is great!” – Tactical training with Oliver Reeh, “The 8th rank” – Andy Woodward analyses his game against Magnus Carlsen from TePe Sigeman 2026, “A modern Nimzo-Indian” – Andrei Volokitin introduces readers to "his" system and much more!
Chess is a concrete game. There is no way around training your calculation skills. Improve your visualization, pattern recognition and learn calculation techniques such as reciprocal thinking with this course.
This compact course is designed specifically for practical play. Instead of overwhelming you with endless theory, it focuses on the critical lines, typical plans, and recurring tactical ideas.
Slav and Semi-Slav Powerbase 2026 is a database and contains a total of 11 766 games from Mega 2026 or the Correspondence Database 2026, of which 1136 are annotated.
€9.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.
ChessBase
11
