Winning starts with what you know
The new version 18 offers completely new possibilities for chess training and analysis: playing style analysis, search for strategic themes, access to 6 billion Lichess games, player preparation by matching Lichess games, download Chess.com games with built-in API, built-in cloud engine and much more.
Preparation isn't just about focusing on our opponents; it's also about sharpening our own skills in openings, middle games, and endgames. The great news is that CB18 makes this journey even easier with some fantastic new features!
There’s a multitude of changes in the reference search in the new CB18.
The first aspect to notice is the "draws" column. While the same percentage score can be achieved in multiple ways, this column highlights the more competitive nature of a particular line. A player looking to play solidly can choose lines with a higher tendency for draws, whereas a player seeking a win or wanting to create more complicated positions will have better chances with options that have a lower draw percentage.
Additionally, we have a new feature that indicates when a move was first played. For instance, in the image above, we can see that 3.Nc3 is the oldest move, while 3.g3 is the newest. This feature can be particularly helpful when analyzing moves around turn 10 to 15, where fewer games might be available. It allows us to identify the latest ideas that have been explored.
One fantastic feature is the Reference Filter. In previous editions of CB, we had to apply the filter for every move. Now, we can select a rating range and specify the years in which the games were played. Once set, the filter remains active until we decide to change it. This functionality allows us to remove games that we consider unnecessary. For instance, when creating opening files, we may not need games played by players rated below 2000, or we might want to exclude games older than 15 years, as they tend to be outdated. Ultimately, it’s about the quality of information rather than the quantity, and this filter helps us obtain precise data while eliminating irrelevant information.
From the two pictures above [click to enlarge], we can see that, without any rating or year filter, 3.Nc3 is the top choice. However, with the filter applied, 3.Nf3 takes the number one spot. This enables us to identify what top players are currently playing and make informed choices accordingly.
As an additional note, the default positioning of the different columns in the reference section is now much improved compared to before, where it was cumbersome to drag the columns into an ideal position each time. Now, it is almost perfect!
The game filter has existed since forever, but it has been improved now. A new filter called as ‘Strategy’ has been created.
This new filter allows us to find games based on different strategic themes and situations. It’s particularly useful for anyone looking to improve their skills in specific aspects of chess. For instance, a player who struggles with open positions can explore many games featuring similar scenarios, drawn from various openings, to learn how top players navigate these types of positions. Additionally, this feature is extremely beneficial for chess coaches, as it enables them to find model games for their students more easily.
Typically, the output capacity of our laptops does not match that of cloud engines, which are equipped with multiple CPUs and processors. CB18 offers a remote engine feature that allows users to access high-powered engines for a certain amount of Ducats.
Therefore, if we ever find ourselves in a time crunch and require reliable, high-powered engines, we can utilize the remote engine feature in CB18!
Coming soon: part three of this review on MEGA DATABASE 2025 and BONUS functions.
Order ChessBase 18 in the ChessBase Shop now
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