ChessBase´26: A Players Guide (5)

by Iniyan Panneerselvam
2/5/2026 – "Many players use ChessBase, it is the most popular chess software by far, writes GM Iniyan Pa. "Yet, not many people are fully aware of all of its features, and fail to utilise most of them. In this guide I have tried to show the features that I think are vital and important so that the user may gain the most out of the ChessBase. I hope it helps them in their development." We are deeply indebted to Iniyan for his remarkable five-part training review.
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Other Features

Not every tool fits neatly into a category, so here are a couple of additional gems worth highlighting.

Live Games

On the left-hand side of the folder section, you’ll find the Live option. This opens a window showcasing major tournaments happening across the globe in real time. No need to scour multiple websites—ChessBase brings the action straight to you. Whether it’s a super-GM clash or a rising star making waves, you can follow the games as they unfold.

To access: Home Page -> Folders -> Live

Novelty and Opening Ideas

With countless tournaments running simultaneously, keeping up with fresh ideas can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. ChessBase simplifies this by scanning games for theoretically significant moves and compiling them into a dedicated database. Even better, it sends you notifications whenever new novelties are detected, ensuring you never miss the latest developments.

This feature is invaluable for staying ahead of theory. Instead of drowning in thousands of games, you get a curated feed of the moves that matter most.

Suggestions:

  • Keep notifications enabled so you’re alerted to new novelties as they appear.

  • Save interesting games to your private databases immediately—since the novelty and opening ideas database updates continuously, older entries may be overwritten.

Tactics

Just as ChessBase scans games to uncover novelties and opening ideas, it also combs through daily games to extract fresh tactical puzzles. These positions are collected in a dedicated database, ready for training at any time. Coaches, in particular, will find this invaluable—no need to manually sift through games for instructive tactics, as ChessBase delivers them straight to your fingertips.

Similar Structures / Endgames / Tactics / Patterns / Moves

Sometimes your study focus isn’t an opening but a specific theme: a pawn structure, an endgame technique, a tactical motif, or a maneuver. ChessBase makes this effortless. With a few clicks, it searches millions of games and compiles hundreds or even thousands of examples featuring the exact theme you want to study.

In minutes, you have a curated training set tailored to your chosen topic—whether it’s mastering the Isolated Queen’s Pawn, sharpening your rook endgames, or drilling a tactical pattern like the Greek Gift sacrifice. It’s like having a personalized textbook generated on demand.

To access: Board -> Report on the top Pane -> Similar ….

Live Book

The Live Book is a dynamic twist on the Reference feature. Instead of ranking moves by the number of games played, it ranks them by the number of visits from ChessBase users. This often points toward cutting-edge theory, where traditional databases may lag behind due to rapid updates in engine analysis.

Even more powerful, the Live Book integrates the 7-piece tablebases. Whenever a position has seven pieces or fewer (including kings), you can instantly access the exact evaluation and the precise winning or drawing moves. These tablebases are 100% accurate, so they can be trusted blindly.

Next time you’re debating an endgame with a friend, whether it’s a win or a draw settle the argument by opening the Live Book. The truth is just a click away!

To access: Board -> Notation pane -> Live book

Streamers

Streaming in chess has exploded in popularity, and ChessBase´26 adds features that make life easier for content creators. These tools help transform raw games into shareable, audience-friendly formats.

To access: Board -> File on top left corner -> Direct Share

GIF Creation

With just a few clicks, any game can be turned into a GIF. It’s quick, lightweight, and perfect for sharing on social media. Whether you want to highlight a brilliant tactic, a blunder, or a sparkling finish, GIFs make it easy for your audience to relive the moment instantly.

Movie with 2D / 3D / Ray-Traced Board

For longer content, ChessBase lets you create a movie of a game, rendered in your choice of 2D, 3D, or even ray-traced boards for extra visual flair. You can control the playback speed, decide whether to show the entire game or start from a specific position, and tailor the presentation to your audience.

It’s a fantastic way to bring games to life—turning analysis into cinematic storytelling. Imagine showcasing a classic encounter in 3D with smooth transitions, or replaying your own victories in a polished, movie-style format.

Final Words: Good luck for your Chess!

Stay ahead of your opponents, buy ChessBase´26 now

<< The Chess World in 2026
Iniyan Pa, as he is commonly known, became a grandmaster at the age of 16. He specialises in aggressive and tactical play, while his strategic approach centers on positional mastery and endgame expertise, leveraging deep calculation to convert subtle advantages. This has led to notable success in international open tournaments.
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