ChessBase tips for beginners - Fonts & Figurines

by ChessBase
1/29/2026 – This lesson shows how to customize the look of your notation in ChessBase to make it clearer and more comfortable for everyday use. It covers changing notation styles, piece symbols, fonts, colours, and using quick zoom for better readability.
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ChessBase tips for beginners - Enter and save your games

by Anastasia Corotcova

ChessBase tips for beginners introduces a wide range of ChessBase features and demonstrates how to use the program efficiently.

Viewers learn everything from entering their first moves to applying powerful analytical tools that improve understanding.

Anastasia Corotcova guides us through each step, explaining the functions with clarity and practical examples, and shows how to unlock the full potential of ChessBase and build confidence from the very start.

  • 0:00 – Intro: Customizing Your Notation Layout
  • 0:13 – Notation Tab vs. Score Sheet View
  • 0:40 – Returning to the Notation Tab (Default View)
  • 0:53 – Opening Notation Settings (File → Options)
  • 1:02 – Keyboard Shortcut for Options (Ctrl + Alt + O)
  • 1:09 – Navigating to the Notation Section
  • 1:20 – Choosing the Notation System
  • 1:32 – Changing Piece Abbreviations (Language Settings)
  • 1:50 – Using Figurines Instead of Letters
  • 1:59 – Customizing Font Type and Size
  • 2:10 – Setting Custom Colors for Variations and Text
  • 2:17 – Apply vs OK – Saving Your Changes
  • 2:32 – Result: Personalized Notation Look
  • 2:38 – Quick Zoom with Ctrl + Mouse Wheel
  • 2:56 – Temporary Zoom vs Permanent Font Settings
  • 3:04 – Final Tip: Experiment with Styles

Anastasia Corotcova is a chess player from Moldova who actively played and trained until starting university, around which time she also obtained her first FIDE Arbiter licence. Meanwhile, she is an international arbiter.

She has a background in computer science and has been working professionally in IT for the past seven years, which is her main occupation today.

Alongside this, Anastasia contributes educational chess content for ChessBase and previously hosted an educational TV program for children.

EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
Data, plans, practice – the new Opening Report In ChessBase there are always attempts to show the typical plans of an opening variation. In the age of engines, chess is much more concrete than previously thought. But amateurs in particular love openings with clear plans, see the London System. In ChessBase ’26, three functions deal with the display of plans. The new opening report examines which piece moves or pawn advances are significant for each important variation. In the reference search you can now see on the board where the pieces usually go. If you start the new Monte Carlo analysis, the board also shows the most common figure paths.

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See also

ChessBase tips for beginners - Variations from Reference & Engines

1/14/2026 – Anastasia Corotcova explains how to insert variations into your notation using both reference games and engine suggestions. It shows how the Reference tab lists common moves and past games for the current position, allowing you to click or copy them directly into your analysis. Finally, it demonstrates how to add an engine (Kibitzer) and insert its suggested lines to build clear, structured game analysis.
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See also

ChessBase tips for beginners - How to add variations

1/6/2026 – Anastasia Corotcova explains how to create, manage, and organize variations in ChessBase when analysing games. It shows how to promote side lines to the main line, correct incorrect continuations, and safely replace moves. Finally, it demonstrates how to insert missing moves so game notation stays clear, accurate, and well-structured.
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Video

60m English The Elephant Gambit

The Elephant Gambit (1.e4.e5 2.Nf3 d5!?) has never really been given the attention it deserves. It is a very useful surprise weapon. Let us list the advantages of playing this particular opening: 1) Shock value 2) It is very aggressive. Black can take over the initiative early. 3) Many tricky lines 4) Unorthodox. Black is basically taking the game to the opponent as early as move two. Not many openings do that! It's a perfect opening for young players and club players to adopt. Let Andrew Martin select a repertoire for you on this 60 mins, which, if used with discretion, will rack up the points. I am sure that you will enjoy this unusual tour of the Elephant Gambit.