Contents of help for ChessBase

First steps with ChessBase

Explanation of all the menu items

Notes for the ChessBase 4.0 user

Tips on screen layout

What is most important to know about Windows with regard to ChessBase

Explanation of terms

Tips and tricks

Support and Troubleshooting

Keyboard shortcuts

Important error messages


First steps with ChessBase

The database window appears at the start of ChessBase. It contains an icon for each installed database.

The database window is the control centre for ChessBase. Here you can choose the database with which you wish to work.

Examples:

If you want to see the games in a given database, click on the database icon and then on the [image] button. A games list will appear.

If you want an overview of the openings, click on the database icon and then on the [image] button. These summaries of the openings in a database are called "opening keys" in ChessBase.

Once you have brought a games list or an opening key onto the screen in this way, you can load the games listed - by double clicking on them, for example - and then play through them in a board window.

Include new icons in database window


Tips on screen layout

ChessBase has various types of windows to work with:

-	database window (one)

-	games list (several)

-	clipboard (one)

-	key (several)

-	board window (several)

-	Hypertext window (several)

This section describes the commands which make it easier to arrange these windows automatically so that it is largely unnecessary to move them or change their size with the mouse.

This is the most important section of the instructions, because you cannot actually do anything unless you are familiar with the commands of the various windows. If you spend a little time learning these commands you will find that you are able to use the program with speed and comfort.

Closing windows

You can close individual windows in Windows by double clicking on the control menu box in the upper left corner. Alternatively you could press CONTROL-F4. This applies to all Windows programs. The difference with ChessBase is that an active window can also be closed by pressing the ESC key. Pressing the ESC key several times clears up a cluttered screen.

The database window cannot be closed.

Alternating between windows (changing which one is in the foreground)

In all Windows programs CONTROL-F6 alternates between application windows. Alternatively, a specific window can be called up via the "window" menu, in which all the windows which are open are always listed at the bottom.

In addition to the Windows norm, ChessBase also enables you to alternate between windows by using the [image] button.

What is more, there is a vertical row of buttons on the left hand side which can be used to change which window is in the foreground - the database window (F12), the clipboard (Alt-C), the current games list (CONTROL-L) or the current opening key (CONTROL-K).

The CONTROL-F12 key combination places the most recently used board window in the foreground.

Arranging the windows

The panic button: If windows have been moved and changed in such a way that they go beyond the screen and are partially hidden from view, the F9 key can help. This key brings all windows which are open back to their normal size and position. ("J'adoube" menu, "all")

Arranging the most recently opened windows: You will often want to see the two most recently opened windows simultaneously: There are three commands which can arrange these windows either next to one another, one above the other, or diagonally ("J'adoube" menu, "horizontal", "vertical", "diagonal"). This is definitely an occasion when the key combinations Shift-F9, CONTROL-F9 and Alt-F9 should be used.

Comparing windows of one type: In the "window" menu there are commands which can arrange either all the boards, all the game notations or all the games and key lists next to one another. This is a quick way of comparing material. F7 = compare boards, F8 = compare game notations, F11 = compare lists.

Moving a window which is active: With larger screens (800*600 and above) it makes sense to use a key to move an active window because it does not take up the whole screen: There are four commands in the "window" menu, "J'adoube" which move the active window to the left, right, upper or lower edge.

Hint: Shift-F8 maximises the current board window.


Explanation of all menu items
Explanation of all the menu items

Database

Open

New

Show games

Opening keys

Other keys

Search games

Clipboard ...open

... clear

... sort

add to window ... new database

... disk A

... disk B

... database as a new icon

... automatic scan

Install onto hard disk

Info

Delete

Accompanying text

Quit

Games

Enter new game

Set up position

Save

Replace

Next game

Opening classification

Find novelty

Search board position

Extra board

Structure repertoire

Printing

Print game

Print Repertoire

Diagram

Insert diagram in list

Print diagram list

Clear diagram list

Page setup

Printer setup

Install printer

Text file

Technics

Opening classification ... whole database

... this key

... install key

Refine ... whole database

... this key

Theme classification ... whole database

... install key

Search classification position

Copy games

Load Fritz Powerbook

Save Fritz Powerbook

Physical deletions

Create search booster

Delete search booster

Status

Options

Font in lists

Font in keynames

Font in notation

Font for printing

Select analysis module

Language

Window

J'adoube ... all

... left, right, top, bottom

Cascade

Top2 - horizontal, vertical, diagonal

Compare boards

Compare lists

Compare notations

Icons

Stop

Stop:

The "utilities" menu in the key list window


Menu "key tools"
The "key tools" menu in the key list window

The key tools menu contains all the commands relating to the use and refinement of opening keys. These commands refer either to the subkeys selected in the window, or to the key whose contents are shown in the window.

The utilities menu can be called up by clicking on the [image] button or by pressing CONTROL-U in the key window.

Insert new key

Edit key

Insert key memo

Define new position

Define key memo

Transfer

Assign manually

Deassign manually


Insert new key

Inserts a new key in the selection bar in the key window. If this key is to be an opening key with a classification position then this position must be defined on a board window beforehand.

You can then enter the name of the new key with a line editor. If you want to use the chess icons these are entered using the keyboard.

Keyboard shortcut:	INSERT

A typical work routine: Creating several opening keys in succession:

1.	You are in a key window. Press CONTROL-N to produce a board window. Now enter the succession of moves which leads to the classification position which is to be integrated with the first new key

2.	Press CONTROL-K to bring the key back to the top.

3.	Use the selection bar to choose the position of the new key and press INSERT. Press ENTER to set the new key.

4.	Press CONTROL-F12 to return to the board to work on the next classification position. Continue from step 2.


Edit key

Shows a small line editor on the screen in which you can change the name of the key which has been selected.

If you want to use the chess icons these are entered using the keyboard.

Keyboard shortcut:	Alt-W


Insert key memo

This command is used to reassign a key, i.e. to move it from one position to another. First select the key which is to be reassigned and take it into the "memo" by pressing CONTROL-M. Then find the position where it is to be inserted and activate this command.

This only works within one and the same opening key. To insert keys from other databases you need to use the key transfer command.

Keyboard shortcut:	Shift-INSERT


Define new position

An opening key can have more than one classification position. This improves the accuracy of the keys classification when transpositions are involved.

Bring the new position into the board window and then call up this command. The appropriate key must be selected in the key window.


Define key memo

Takes the key selected in the key window into what is known as the "memo". This tells ChessBase that you are planning a further operation with this key.

Commands which need the key memo:

-	Changing the classification of a position (see Display positions)

-	Reassign key (Changing the assignment of a key). (see Reassign key)


Transfer

The keys selected in the key window (there can be several) are attached to the keys in the work database. It is therefore important that the work database (indicated by a red background) is set correctly before calling up this command.

For example, you might use "transfer" to copy the partial keys from a large key and do some more work on them.


Assign manually

The game in the last board window to have been activated is assigned to the key which is currently displayed in the window.

You need to use this command to classify games in a "user key", i.e. in a key which cannot be classified automatically.


Deassign manually

Removes the selected game from the displayed key.


Windows knowledge useful for ChessBase
Windows knowledge which is useful for ChessBase

Windows can do much more than DOS and is therefore more complex. Trying to work with ChessBase without knowing how to use Windows can be frustrating and time-consuming. Those who are new to Windows will find the Windows Tutorial very useful (To call this up, go to the "help" menu in Program Manager). The knowledge acquired will not only be useful for ChessBase but also for all other Windows programs.

The following questions will help you to assess your own Windows knowledge. If you can answer correctly you will find ChessBase very user friendly.

1.	How can you tell whether a window is active?

2.	How do you move a window with the mouse?

3.	How do you change the size of a window with the mouse?

4.	Name one or more ways in which a window can be enlarged to its maximum size ("maximized").

5.	Name one or more ways in which a window which has been maximized can be restored to its original size.

6.	How do you end a Windows program using the keyboard?

7.	How do you close a window with a double click?

8.	How do you close an application window (e.g. a group window in Program Manager, a document window in Winword, or a games list in ChessBase) within a program using the keyboard?

9.	How do you switch from one application window to the next in a series in a program using the keyboard?

10.	How do you switch straight to the window you want?

11.	How do you reduce a window to an icon?

12.	How do you open any menu in a program using the keyboard?

13.	How do you carry out a specific menu command using only the keyboard?

14.	How do you open the window menu ("maximize", "restore", etc.) of an application window using the keyboard? ... and the window menu of a program window?

15.	Name a way of switching from one Windows program to another (e.g. from ChessBase to Program Manager).

16.	What does it mean when individual characters are underlined in the text of a dialog box?

17.	How do you move from one item in a dialog box to another using the keyboard?

18.	What is "virtual memory" and how can it be changed?

Answers

It is efficient to use the keyboard as much as possible in Windows, for the following  reason: keyboard sequences can be memorised and later carried out almost subconsciously. The mouse requires conscious actions and takes up considerably more time and energy.


1.	The title bar (which moves the window - see answer 2.) has a coloured background, while inactive title bars usually have a white background.

2.	"Grip" the title bar with the mouse and drag it to a new position while holding down the mouse button.

3.	Bring the mouse arrow to any point on the border of the window. "Grip" the border with the mouse and drag it until the window is the size you want it to be (If you drag a corner, the two sides which meet at that corner are sized at the same time.)

4.	a) Click on the maximize button in the upper right corner of the window, b) double click on the title bar, c) Go to "maximize" in the window menu - can be done with the keyboard by pressing Alt-hyphen, X.

5.	a) Click on the maximize button again, b) double click on the title bar again c) Go to "restore" in the window menu.

6.	Press Alt-F4. (or CONTROL-ESC, Alt-B (why?)).

7.	Double click on the control box menu in the upper left corner of the window.

8.	Press CONTROL-F4 or Alt-hyphen, C.

9.	Press CONTROL-F6, CONTROL-TAB (not with all programs) or Alt-hyphen, T.

10.	Go to the "window" menu and select the corresponding title with the mouse.

11.	Click on "minimize" in the window menu or on the minimize button in the upper right corner of the window, next to the maximize button.

12.	Alt-key + first letter or underlined letter of the menu title.

13.	Alt-first letter or underlined letter of the menu command.

14.	Alt-hyphen, alt-spacebar.

15.	You could choose from the task list (CONTROL-ESC), but it is better to press Alt-TAB (Hold down the Alt key and press the TAB key repeatedly). Another way is to go to "switch to" in the program window menu.

16. It means that you can access the accompanying field or the relevant window directly.

17.	By pressing Tab or Shift-Tab.

18.	Virtual memory is an area on the hard disk which is accessed by Windows like Random Access Memory (RAM). Although it is naturally slower than real RAM it gives computers which dont have much storage space (4MB) the chance to cope with large Windows programs such as ChessBase.


Open
Open <1.1>

You chose a database to open with the file select dialog. ChessBase opens a list window and adds a temporary symbol to the database window.

By using the function Database info (button [image]) you can change the symbol status to permanent. This will keep the symbol in the database window when you leave the program and enter it again.


Show games

Calls up the games list for the selected database.

Keyboard shortcut: CONTROL-L.

Alternatives: e.g. Press ENTER in the database window or double click in the database window.


Opening classification

A game in the board window which is in the foreground, or which is the last to have been opened, is classified according to its opening. The program then shows the opening key into which this game would fit. This is where you will find comparative material.

The command "find novelty" is a little more extensive - it has the same effect in principle but it then also finds comparative games and sorts them in order of similarity (to the game in the board window) on the clipboard.

Keyboard shortcut: CONTROL-C (classification).


Find novelty

This command is extremely important in practice use. ChessBase can show you games from the database which agree most closely with a game which has either been entered or loaded.

These comparative games are put onto the clipboard. There they are sorted in order of similarity so that the games at the top of the list bear the closest resemblance to the initial game.

Examples of how this command could be used:

A) You have played a game in a competition and want to know at what point you diverged from previous theory as reflected by your database:

1.	Enter the game (for the time being it is best to save it in the database containing your own games).

2.	Call up the database window (press F12) and select your large database (simply by clicking on it).

3.	Call up "find novelty" (press Shift-F6).

4.	The clipboard window will now appear. The game at the top corresponds most closely to your own game. In addition, the clipboard also shows the position where either you or your opponent diverged and produced a novelty.

5.	You could now comment on your own game with reference to a Grandmaster game:

To do this, press Alt-F9 to arrange the clipboard and board windows diagonally. Now click on the clipboard window so that it is in the foreground. Select the game at the top of the list on the clipboard with the mouse, drag it over to the notation window of your own game while holding down the mouse button, then drop it in by letting go of the button (this is known as drag & drop). The Grandmaster game will now be inserted as a variation into your game, i.e. merged.

You could also repeat this process for other games on the clipboard. This way you quickly form a small overview of openings for the variation played.

B) You want to know if the large database contains a specific position in a game.

1.	Enter the succession of moves which leads to this position.

2.	Call up "find novelty" (press Shift-F6).

3.	If the position you are looking for is not in the game(s) at the top of the list on the clipboard it is not in the database.

This command assumes that the database is fully classified with an opening key.


Search board position
Search board position <1.1>

Searches the selected database for the position in the current board window. All games containing this position are collected in the clipboard. This function requires the search booster to run smoothly with big databases.

While Find novelty is usually faster and more user-friendly since it sorts the search result by order of similarity, this function yields exactly the games containing the given position and not a sub- or superset of them.

Keyboard shortcut: Shift-F7

If no board window is on top ChessBase uses the position in the board window last activated.


Opening key

Shows the opening key for the selected database.

Keyboard shortcut: CONTROL-K.

Alternatively: Click on the [image] button in the database window.


Other keys

Shows player-, middlegame- or endgame keys for the selected database.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt-2.

Alternatively: Click on the [image] in the database window.


Search games
KSearch games

This command is used when searching for games in the selected database. The criteria used in the search (e.g. the names of players) are established using the searchmask.

The results of the search are put on the clipboard, ready for you to work with as you see fit.

This command is particularly useful when you need to search several databases. These can be selected by pressing the Shift key while clicking on the icons in the database window.

If you are only searching through one database it is usually more practical to first display the games list of that database and then to use the searchmask to filter the information.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt-M.

Alternatively: Click on the [image] button in the database window.


Open clipboard

Calls the clipboard window up on the screen.

Keyboard shortcut: Alt-C.

Alternatives: Click on the [image] button in the left edge of the window.


Sort clipboard

The games on the clipboard can be sorted according to numerous criteria. This is particularly useful for establishing sorted databases because the entire contents of the clipboard can be written into a new database. The clipboard holds some ten thousand games, depending on the available RAM.

Criteria used for sorting:

ECO

Sorts by the ECO code then by ELO rating..

Moves

Sorts according to the opening moves (takes a little longer and needs more memory).

White

Sorts alphabetically by White player, then Black player, then number of moves.

Black

Sorts alphabetically by Black player, then White player, then number of moves.

Tournament

Sorts by tournament, then year, then White.

Commentator

Sorts by name of commentator, then ECO code.

Year

Sorts by year, then tournament, then White.

Result

Sorts by result, then number of moves.

Number of moves

Sorts by number of moves (ascending).

Elo White

Sorts by Elo rating of White.

Elo Black

Sorts by Elo rating of Black.

Elo average

Sorts by average Elo rating of both players.

PVC

Sorts according to the commentary and possibly the starting position.

Keyboard shortcut: F6 in the clipboard window.

Alternatively:	Click on [image] in the clipboard window.


Clear clipboard

Clears all the games entered from the clipboard.

Keyboard shortcut: 	Alt-V anywhere in the program.

Alternatives:	Click on [image] in the clipboard window.


Add to window ... new database

This command is used to set up empty databases. A file selector will appear on the screen where you can type in the directory and name of the new database. You dont need to put in the suffix ".CBF" - just write, for example, "NEWBASE" for the name. However if you want to create a database in PGN format please add .PGN.

The icon for the new database always appears in the upper left of the database window. It will automatically be set as the work database, since new databases are mostly going to have games saved or copied in them.

New databases do not have an opening key. You can install the opening key from another database using the command "install key" in the "work" menu.


Add to window ... disk A oder B
KAdd to window ... disk A: or B:

This command brings all the databases which are on disk A: or B: onto the database window. They will stay there until you either exit ChessBase or insert a new disk.

The databases from these disks can of course be accessed in the normal way, i.e. you can open games lists or copy games.

There is an additional special command for databases on a disk: You can install them on the hard disk automatically. ChessBase then copies the possible keys and accompanying text as well as the games..

Alternatives: 	Click on [image] and [image] in the left edge of the window.


Add to window ... database as new icon
Add to window ... database as a new symbol

With this command you can add an icon for a new database in the database window.

You can decide whether the new database icon is to stay in the window temporarily or permanently. Including it temporarily means that the icon will only stay in the database window for this work session. This makes sense for small files because you dont want to overload your database window with them.

If the database to be included comes from ChessBase 4.0/DOS its type and name need to be defined. Select the new icon and press CONTROL-I to obtain the info dialog, where you can key in the name and type.

Key combination: CONTROL-D


Add to window ... automatic scan

If you want to add the databases in a directory into the database window in one go, call up this command and enter the directory name. ChessBase will then scan the directory, including all its subdirectories, and all the files found will be shown as icons.

There is one restriction in connection with this command: ChessBase only considers databases which already have existing keys. The program regards databases without keys as unimportant files and ignores them.


Delete database / Remove icon

When you call up this command ChessBase gives you a choice between permanently deleting a database on the drive (hard disk) and removing the icon. The latter leaves the database on the hard disk so it can be recalled at any time.

Keyboard shortcut:	DELETE

Alternatively:	Click on [image] in the database window.


Quit ChessBase

Quits the program.

Keyboard shortcut:	Alt-F4


New game
Enter new game

This command brings an empty board onto the screen. This is first step you need to enter a new game.

The moves of a game are then entered by moving the pieces on the board using the mouse. Once you have completed the game you save it.

Keyboard shortcut:	CONTROL-N

Alternatively:	Click on [image] in the left edge of the window.


Next game

This command loads the next game from the "top", i.e. the last one selected from the games list, into the current board window. The keyboard shortcut (F10) is very important here.

This is a convenient way of looking at several games (e.g. the result of a scan) without having to keep going back to the list to select the next game.

"Next game" is a particularly practical option when you want to see games while a scan is still running.

The command "last game", which is called up by pressing CONTROL-F10, has the opposite effect - it loads the last game from the top of the list.


Set up position

Calls up an empty board in which a starting position can be entered if, for example, you want to record endgames or tactical exercises.

After the starting position has been defined a board window will appear in which you can enter moves in the usual way.

Key combination:	CONTROL-Shift-S.	(setup)


Save game

Saves a game in the work database. The accompanying details (names of players etc.) are recorded in the save dialog.

Newly saved games always go to the end of the work database. So when you open the games list the new game will be at the bottom of the list.

Keyboard shortcut:	CONTROL-S

Alternatively:	Click on [image] in the board window.


Replace game

If you have loaded a game from a database and expanded on it with some comments, for example, you can use (the) "replace" (command) to save it in its original position in the database.

Key combination:	CONTROL-R	(replace)


Additional board

Calls up an additional board to the current game. This enables you to show different positions for the same game on the screen at the same time.

Key combination:	CONTROL-B


Structure repertoire

When a repertoire tree is loaded (as a result of merging, for example) it is arranged in such a way that variations which contain a particularly high number of subdivisions are converted to main variations at all levels.

While the variation structure depends only on the order in which the games are merged, this command creates a tree in which the variations are weighted according to chess criteria.

This is why the "structure repertoire" command is particularly important before you print the repertoire.

There is another way to refine a repertoire tree which has been created as a result of merging:

When games are merged you will often find that the rearrangement of positions results in variations being placed in unusual positions, and you may prefer to put these somewhere else. Open a new board window next to the variation tree (press CONTROL-N). Enter any move you like in this window so that other games can be merged with it. Press F8 to align the notes from the repertoire tree and the new window next to one another. With the mouse, click on the first move of the misplaced variation complex in the old tree (i.e. the growth which has sprung up in the wrong position) and drag it across to the new window.

Then delete this complex from the original variation tree using the [image] button. Make sure that another variation leads to the position you want to arrive at - you might need to enter some additional moves.

Now drag the tree which has been temporarily "parked" in the new window back again with the mouse. The merge algorithm will now find a way to insert the variations in positions which come later.

The original rearrangement of the moves took place because the "correct" sequences which were worked out later were not available at the time when the original variations were being incorporated. Merging always takes place game by game.

When only the sequence of moves belonging to the main variation is unattractive: enter the correct sequence of moves in a second window as described above. Then drag the whole tree into the new window, where the variations will then be arranged "correctly".


Print game

Prints the game in the active board window. A dialog appears beforehand in which you can alter the form of the print-out by adjusting the settings.

page setup

page layout


Print diagram

Prints the current state of play on the board. A dialog appears beforehand in which you can alter the form of the diagram print-out by adjusting the settings.

page setup

page layout


Print repertoire tree

If the game in the active board window is a repertoire tree with a wealth of comments accompanying it, a print-out in the form of an ECO-formatted page can make things much clearer.

The form of the repertoire table can be altered using the settings in the dialog which appears prior to printing.

page setup

page layout


Insert in diagram list

If you want to print several diagrams in columns on one sheet of paper you must first insert them individually into the "diagram list". ChessBase saves all the positions and only prints them out when you use the "print diagram list" command. The program can therefore build up a complete page layout.

Before an item is inserted in the list, a dialog appears with the print diagram setup so that you can customise the output. The settings in this dialog can be adjusted by calling up the "diagrams" option from the page setup dialog.


Print diagram list

When you have put together a diagram list, this command prints it out.


Clear diagram list

Clears all diagrams from the diagram list. You can put together a new list using the "insert in diagram list" command, and you can print it out using the "print diagram list" command.


Install printer
Printer setup

Calls up a dialog which belongs to the currently installed print driver. Here you can carry out various adjustments relating to your printer.

Typical adjustments would be, for example, to the print quality or paper format. You will find further information in your printer manual under the heading "Installing a printer for Windows".


Printer installation
Install printer

You can use this Windows command to decide which installed printer to use for printing out material. ChessBase assumes that at least one printer has been installed. New printers can be added using the Windows "control panel". Please look this up in your Windows manual if necessary.

The 'Landscape' format which can be configured here is a particularly useful option when you are printing out repertoire trees. This option is available with practically any modern printer.


Text file

If you want to do some more work on the notation of a game rather than printing it out straight away, this command produces a text file for the game which is currently in the board window. A dialog will also appear in which you can define the text file format.


Opening classification ... complete database

The opening keys give access to all the games in a database which have a specific opening variation.

In order for this to work correctly, however, all the games in a database must be sorted into the opening keys.

This command does just that. If it is interrupted, only some of the games can be found in the keys. But this does not pose any problem, because the program notes how many of the games in the database have already been sorted: When the command is repeated ChessBase can carry on from where it left off.


Opening classification ... this key

This function is used when you are actively changing the structure of a key.

When you add new subkeys to a key you want the games from the original key to be classified in agreement with the new subvariations. Use this command to rearrange these games - it classifies all the games in a given key according to their opening and as it does so it automatically determines which games go into the new keys.


Opening classification ... install key
Classify opening ... install key

When you first set up a new database it is just a collection of games (or possibly empty).

If you want to gain direct access to particular variations you must install an opening key.

This command gives you the choice between copying a key which already exists (e.g. the Informator key) in another database, or putting in an empty key.

You should only select an empty key when you want to enter an opening key yourself.

To install the Informator key in a new database, select "copy key". A file selector will appear - select the "C:\CBWIN" directory and then the file "MAINBASE.CKO", since this is the file name for the Informator key which comes with MAINBASE.


Refine ... complete database

ChessBase can create opening keys independently. It does this by analysing the statistical frequency of specific sequences of moves in the games of a database. If a specific sequence of moves occurs very often, the program concludes that this is a variation which deserves its own key and puts one in.

"Refine opening key" is a quick and convenient way of putting in an opening key when there is a large number of games. But because the program orientates itself heavily towards whichever sequence of moves is to hand, there are problems with the transposition of moves and unusual sequences of moves for popular openings.

There is a quick way to correct a key which has been automatically refined in this way: delete all the variations which have come about from incorrect positions and repeat the process. The second stage will succeed in putting considerably more games into the "correct" keys, making much more subtle distinctions as it corrects itself. A good analogy can be seen in the pruning of a young tree, where unwanted shoots are removed to promote strong growth in the right branches.

When you use this command you will first be asked to give a "minimum games" value. This means the minimum number of games (approximately) which are needed to make up a key. The smaller this value, the more frequently the program will generate new keys, but the greater the likelihood of problems occurring with transpositions.


Refine ... this key

With this function ChessBase will independently put in subkeys for the current key. The structure of these subkeys is determined by analysing how frequently certain sequences of moves occur.

An existing key can be expanded quickly and effectively using this command. Please check these subkeys for any signs of moves having been transposed and delete these as and where necessary.

When you use this command you will first be asked to give a "minimum games" value. This means the minimum number of games (approximately) which are needed to make up a key. The smaller this value, the more frequently the program will generate new keys, but the greater the likelihood of problems occurring with transpositions.

This command does not work for keys where there are several positions for a classification, as is, for example, the case with the Informator key.

"Cannot refine this key"


Theme classification ... whole database <1.1>

The theme key combines the advantages of direct database access with the flexibility of the search mask. The user creates and modifies the theme key himself and connects each key item with a single search mask.

This command sorts all games of the selected database into the theme key. If the database does not have a search booster the program will prompt you for creation of one. If the theme key contains positional fragments it is worthwhile to generate a booster file.

If the classification process is interrupted, only some of the games can be found in the keys. But this does not pose any problem, because the program notes how many of the games in the database have already been sorted: When the command is repeated ChessBase can carry on from where it left off.


Theme classification ... install key <1.1>
Theme classifiation ... install key <1.1>

This function copies a theme key to the selected database from somewhere else. A file select box prompts you to choose an existing theme key. The file name of a theme key ends with .CKN.

After copying the theme key, all games of the database will be sorted into it.


Search classification positions

This command is only important when you are actively working on expanding a complex opening key.

The question often arises as to whether a specific position already contributes to an opening classification .

You can use this command to find out if a given position on the board has already been classified in the current opening key.


Copying games
Copy games

You can copy games from one database to another using this command. The target database must be the work database. The source database - which contains the games you wish to copy - is the selected database.

Proceed as follows:

1.	Call up the database window (press F12).

2.	Establish the target database as a work database (press INSERT).

3.	Select the source database (use the cursor keys or click on it with the mouse).

4.	Call up the "copy games" command.

5.	In the dialog which appears, enter which games are to be copied.

The copied games will go to the end of the work database.


Load Fritz opening book

The "Fritz books" contain the opening information for the chess program "Fritz3". These books can be loaded into ChessBase so that adjustments can be made and then saved again.

For further details please see the Fritz manual.


Save Fritz opening book
Save Fritz opening books

The "Fritzbooks" contain the opening information for the chess program "Fritz3". These books can be loaded into ChessBase so that adjustments can be made and then saved again.

You can also save any variation tree you like (even one produced as a result of merging) as a FritzBook.

So lets say you were to merge all the White games played by Botvinnik into one large variation tree, for example, and converted it to a book. If this book was then accessed using Fritz, the chess program would turn into the late Mikhail Moiseevich (at least in the opening with White).


Physical deletions

When games are marked as deleted in a database they are light grey with a line through them.

The command "physical deletions" removes these games from the database for good. This is a time-consuming process.

ChessBase produces a backup copy of your games file in its original form, before it is updated in any way. Otherwise a power failure, or other errors in the updating process, could have disastrous consequences. You need to have sufficient memory on your hard disk for this backup copy, however. The actual updating only affects the copy. If everything goes smoothly, the old file is deleted and the copy is renamed.

If something goes wrong, the worst that can happen is that you have a non-updated database whose opening key needs to be re-classified.


Create search booster
Create search booster <1.1>

Generates a search booster (.CGI-file) for the selected database. The search booster accelerates mainly the sequential search for positions. If a CGI-file already exists, it will be completed.


Delete search booster
Delete search booster <1.1>

Deletes the search booster file (.CGI) of the selected database. If disk space is tight, removal of the usually big CGI-file might help.


Fonts for lsts, key names, notation and printing
Fonts for lists, key names, notation and printing

ChessBase distinguishes between four different fonts.

In principle you can install any TrueType font. If you want to depict the commentary icons and figures correctly, however, you must use the fonts provided. This applies to notation and printing in particular, where the special icons occur most frequently.

It is important that you choose a "non-proportional" font such as Courier for the key names. All the individual characters need to take up the same amount of space so that the tabular arrangement of the variations in the opening keys works correctly.


Select analysis module

You can switch on an analysis module which automatically analyses the position currently on the board.

ChessBase gives you a free choice between three different analysis modules. These are activated by pressing Alt-F2, Alt-F3 and Alt-F5 in the board window.

This command is used to establish which module is activated by which keys.

For example:

Alt-F2 = AM100.DLL	(Doctor?)

Alt-F3 = FRITZ300.DLL	(Fritz3)

Alt-F5 = CDROM100.DLL

If you click on [image] in the board window, the first analysis module (AM100.DLL in the above example) will either be switched on or off.


J'adoube ... all

This command (which can be conveniently called up by pressing the F9 key) returns all the windows which are open to their original position and size.

It is therefore rather like a "panic button" and is always useful when, for example, you have moved your windows around so much that parts of them can no longer be seen on the screen.

Keyboard shortcut: F9


J'adoube ... left, right, top, bottom

On larger screens (>= 800*600), the board and game list windows only take up a part of the ChessBase program window. With these four commands you can use the keyboard to move windows around quickly, which takes less effort than having to use the mouse.

The windows are moved to the left, right, top and bottom edge respectively.

Key combination: 	CONTROL-J, CONTROL-L

CONTROL-J, CONTROL-R

CONTROL-J, CONTROL-T

CONTROL-J, CONTROL-B


J'adoube ... horizontal, vertical, diagonal
Top2 - horizontal, vertical, diagonal

These three commands have a very important practical use: The last two windows to have been opened can be arranged side by side, one above the other, or diagonally.

Please bear in mind that board windows cannot be just any size.

Example of how this command could be used:

You want to use the Drag & Drop method to move several games from a games list to the notation of a board window. The games list and board window are the last two windows to have been opened. Simply press Alt-F9 so that you can see them both in front of you.

Keyboard shortcut:	Shift-F9

CONTROL-F9

Alt-F9


Cascade

Cascades all the windows which are open: they are arranged so that they overlap, but their title bars are still visible.

Please bear in mind that board windows cannot be just any size.


Compare boards

All board windows which are open are arranged so that they can be directly compared with one another, and the program closes the notation to save space. All other windows are reduced to icons.

Keyboard shortcut:	F7

CONTROL-F7 (with small boards)


Compare notations
Compare notation

In order to make comparison easier, the notations of all the board windows which are open are arranged side by side. All other windows are reduced to an icon.

Keyboard shortcut:	F8

Tip: CONTROL-F8 should be used when comparing the notation of small boards.


Compare lists

All list windows (i.e. games lists, keys and the clipboard) which are open are arranged next to one another in rows.

Keyboard shortcut:	F11	(vertical layout)

CONTROL-F11 	(horizontal layout)


The window list

At the bottom of the "window" menu there is a list of all the windows which are open. This list is useful when you want to switch to a specific window.

This can also be done using the keyboard: Alt-W, 3 activates the third window in the window list, for example.


Stop

This command can only be activated when a "process" - e.g. a game search or an opening layout - is actually running.

Keyboard combination:	CONTROL-H

Alternatively:	Click on [image].


For the programmers: A tale with a moral

Once upon a time there was a young man who was writing a chess database program. As he went about programming the icons for the chess pieces he found the knight to be particularly troublesome. Once he had completed his task, however, he was especially proud of his knight, so he gave him a place of honour next to the queen which was normally reserved for the rook.

Many people who saw the program were very surprised, for they did not know the reason which lay behind it. The young man had not spoken about it to anyone except for a few close friends. So he smiled quietly to himself as he looked back on the trouble he had taken.

He did not ask himself whether it would not have been easier to have been more considerate to all the people who used the program and kept it the way they were used to.

The years went by. The people had got to know the program and would not be without it. But the young man and his friends wanted to write an even better program. They took a great deal of trouble over it. The new program was indeed more splendid than the first. It was much more powerful, and capable of doing wonderful things.

But the people were used to the first program, and there was much that they could not understand about the new one.

Then the young man remembered his knight and said to himself: "How happy I was to have given my knight that place of honour next to the queen. It always reminded me of how dear he had become to me."

And he said to himself: "How are the other people going to manage with my new program? I shall make things easier for them: they should be reminded of the old program as much as possible; that will make them feel better, just as I do when I look at my knight next to the queen. That way the beauty of the new program will hold no fears for them."

Hans-Dieter Meyer


Error messages
Tips and error messages

Please activate a board window first

No work database

Cannot save game

Cannot delete - database still in use

Read/Write error

Error in opening classification

Cannot access database

Cannot save games in this database

Insufficient main memory for clipboard

Cannot promote variation

Cannot delete variation

No variation tree

Please set key memo first

No detail key found

Can only install from disk

No databases installed yet

A background task is already running

Please select a key first

No opening key

Too many games

First close window

No list window open

Cannot refine this key

No databases found

Clipboard not possible in multiple searches

Analysis module already in use

Cannot load analysis-DLL

Unidentified analysis module

Unknown data

Please read in A: or B: first

No games found

Game not from this database


Please activate a board window first
Please activate board window first

You are trying to carry out an operation which only relates to one loaded or entered game (e.g. save, classify opening, etc).

You need to bring the board window containing this game into the foreground so that ChessBase knows which game you mean.

There are three different ways to bring a window into the foreground:

1.	Click on it if a part of it is visible anywhere.

2.	Select it by name from the bottom of the "window" menu.

3.	Switch from window to window by pressing CONTROL-F6 until the one you are looking for is in the foreground.

4.	Click on [image] several times until you find the window you are looking for.

A particularly fast way to go to the last board window to have been used is to press CONTROL-F12.


No work database

Games are always saved in a work database. This is represented in the database window by a red icon.

When this error message appears, it means that no work database has been specified which indicates that ChessBase does not know where to save the game.

Remedy: Specify a work database in the database window with the [image] button.


Cannot save game

A problem has arisen when saving. There might not be enough space on the hard disk. It is also possible that there is a defect in the file structure of your hard disk so that the CBF and CBI files (file names) cannot be addressed correctly.


Cannot delete - database still in use

The database you want to delete still has windows open.

These could be board windows with loaded games, games list or key windows. A database can only be deleted when all its windows are closed.

Remedy: Close all windows except for the database window.


Cannot access database
Cannot access database <1.1>

ChessBase tries to access a database and encounters problems. This has one of the following reasons:

- The database is in use by another program (e.g. Alpha).

- The database is defect.

- There are too many databases open simultaneously.

- The database has been deleted while ChessBase was running.

- The database was copied from CD to harddisk. However the write protection of the files has not been removed yet - use the DOS command ATTRIB *.* -R to do this.


Read/Write error

An error has occurred while accessing the hard disk or floppy disk. There is either not enough space on the data carrier or, more seriously, there is a technical fault.


Error in opening classification

A general error has occurred in the opening classification of a database. The cause could be a defective game. There might also be a read/write error on the data carrier which houses the database.


Cannot save games in this database

The clipboard can indeed act as a work database (when copying games), but games cannot be saved on it.

Remedy: Select a work database.

Tip: Games which have been loaded from the clipboard can no longer be saved back in their original database via 'replace'. This message appears when you try to do so.


Insufficient main memory for the clipboard

You are trying to hold a large number of games on the clipboard but there is insufficient main memory available.

Games on the clipboard use up ca. 850kB per 10,000 games.

Remedy: Decrease the number of games on the clipboard, reduce the number of database windows open (especially opening and player keys, whose buffers take up a lot of memory, increase your computers main memory or increase the virtual memory.


Cannot promote variation

You have clicked on a move in the notation window which does not belong to a variation.


Cannot delete variation

You have clicked on a move in the notation window which does not belong to a variation.


No variation tree

The print repertoire function does not work on games without variations.


Please set key memo first

This function requires a key to be in the so-called "key memo".

To do this first select the appropriate key in the key window (by clicking on it with the mouse, for example), activate [image] and call up the "take into memo" function. (Keyboard shortcut CONTROL-M).


No detail key found

No detail keys could be found for the games in the relevant key.

Detail keys are supplied on openings disks or on ChessBase CDs. If you install an openings disk using the function "install onto hard disk", the accompanying detail keys are automatically copied in the DETAIL.CKO directory.

If you go into file manager and look at the C:\CBWIN\DETAIL.CKO directory you will be able to see which detail keys are available to you.


Can only install from disk

Databases can automatically be correctly installed on the hard disk. ChessBase Magazine files will go to the main database, for example, while for openings disks the detail keys or Fritz Powerbooks are copied with the database.

These can only be installed from disk, however. You have selected a database which is already on the hard disk.

Remedy: Insert the disk from which you wish to install. Click on [image] or [image] to bring the databases on this disk temporarily into the database window. Select the databases which are to be installed.

Automatic installation of databases


Keyboard shortcuts

In the text boxes for comments, key names and the save game dialog you can use keyboard shortcuts to enter figures and Informator symbols. The correct fonts must be installed and selected in order to be able to use the special characters, however.

CONTROL-K	King
CONTROL-Q	Queen
CONTROL-N	kNight
CONTROL-B	Bishop
CONTROL-R	Rook
CONTROL-P	Pawn
CONTROL-A	Attack
CONTROL-I	Initiative
CONTROL-C	Counterplay
CONTROL-ALT-I	Idea
CONTROL-S	Space
CONTROL-Z	Time shortage
CONTROL-ALT-D	Development
CONTROL-L	Line
SHIFT-CONTROL-D	Diagonal
CONTROL-ALT-Z	Zugzwang
CONTROL-ALT-C	Centre
CONTROL-SHIFT-W	Weak point.
CONTROL-O	Only move
CONTROL-W	with
CONTROL-ALT-W	without
CONTROL-ALT-Q	Queenside
CONTROL-ALT-K	Kingside
CONTROL-E	Endgame
CONTROL-ALT-P	Bishop pair
CONTROL-ALT-O	Opposite bishops
CONTROL-ALT-E	Same colour bishops
CONTROL-M	With compensation for the material
CONTROL-1	White has a small advantage
CONTROL-2	White has a clear advantage
CONTROL-3	Unclear
CONTROL-4	Black has a clear advantage
CONTROL-5	Black has a clear advantage
CONTROL-ALT-B	Better is
CONTROL-ALT-R	Draw
CONTROL-SHIFT-P	Passed pawn.


No databases installed yet
KNo databases installed yet

The database window does not contain any database icons yet. In order to search for, load and save games you must be able to address databases. This takes place via their icons in the database window.

Remedy: Call up "Include in window -> database as a new icon" in the "databases" menu. Use the file search dialog to search for databases which already exist on your hard disk.

Alternatively: Set up an empty database in which you can save your own games or copy games from a disk: "Include in window -> new database" (CONTROL-X).


A background task is already running

Most of the memory-intensive operations in ChessBase are so-called "background tasks". This means that they work in "multitasking" mode, which enables you to continue using the program in a limited capacity in the meantime.

Example: You start a search in the database. While the search is running you can carry on loading games and playing them, scrolling through the opening key, etc.

It is not possible, however, to start two background tasks simultaneously. This means that you cannot, for example, search for games in two databases at the same time.

Remedy: Bring the background task which is running to a halt with the stop button [image] or press CONTROL-H.

You can tell whether a background task is running by looking at the small diode at the bottom of the left edge of the window. When a background task has finished running the diode changes from red to green:


Please select a key first

The key maintenance function which you want to use is asking you to select a key in the key window. The operation you carry out will refer to this key. The term "select" as it is used here means that the scroll bar goes to the title of the key, not that the contents of the key currently displayed are used.

Please note that key functions will only work when the keys are represented normally and not in a structured way in the window (i.e. keys and subkeys are shown simultaneously with indenting). When you use the structured display, on the other hand, this message will appear from time to time.

Remedy: Click on [image] and select the key with the highlighter bar.


No opening key

The key with which you are currently working is not an opening key but, for example, a player or endgame key.

The maintenance function which you want to call up, however, only works on opening keys.

Examples: Show classification position, define new classification position etc.


Too many games

You have selected too many games to be able to carry out the operation you wish. This tip usually appears when you have highlighted keys with a lot of subkeys and want to copy them onto the clipboard.

The maximum number of games which can be copied at one time is about 16,000.

Remedy: Perform this procedure in instalments. Highlight the keys individually and then copy them. If necessary, go down to the subkeys and then highlight and copy them individually.


First close window

The operation you want to carry out demands that windows which are still open at the moment must be closed.

This is most often the case when the planned operation requires sole control over the relevant database, e.g. when refreshing databases.


No list window open

When you want to use the "load next game" function (press F10), a list window must be open such as a games list, clipboard or key window.

"Next game" always refers to the last list window to have been addressed.


Cannot refine this key

The current opening key cannot be refined (=automatically expanded) because it has more than one classification position. This is ambiguous, since the program does not know which position is the starting position of the key.

Unfortunately this almost always the case with Informator keys.

Remedy: Use the "show positions" function in the key utilities menu to list all the classification positions in the key and delete all of them except for the one which appears at the earliest stage of the game. If not many new subkeys are to be created this will naturally reduce the accuracy of the classification.

The special feature of the Informator key is the fact that it classifies very accurately, in spite of its apparently imprecise structure, which often contains several hundred games in a single code. This can only be achieved by the multiple classification of positions. For this reason the Informator key is not very well suited to automatic refinement.


No databases found

There are no ChessBase databases on this data carrier (disk or directory).

This means that no game files have been found with the extensions .CBF and .CBI.

File names


Clipboard not possible in multiple database searches
Clipboard not possible in multiple searches

You have selected several databases in the database window, the clipboard among them, which are to be searched. This was done by holding down the SHIFT key and clicking on the ones you wanted to select.

However, the clipboard is always cleared before the start of a search covering several databases because this is where the result of the search is written. There is therefore no point in including the games on the clipboard in the search.

Remedy: If you want to search for games on the clipboard simply use the search mask as filter directly in the clipboard window.


Analysis module is already in use

An analysis module can only work on one board window at a time. You want to add an analysis module to the current board window when it is already active in another window.

Remedy: End the analysis in the other window by pressing Alt-F2.


Cannot load analysis-DLL

The analysis modules for ChessBase are saved in files which end in "DLL". When trying to load such a file an error has occurred.

It might simply be the case that you do not have an analysis module, since they are not part of the basic ChessBase package.

Remedy if you do have an analysis module: Check whether the DLL file selected really represents an analysis module for ChessBase (go to "select analysis module" in the "settings" menu). There are many other DLL files in the Windows system. The file name of the analysis module is "AM100.DLL", and for the endgame CD it is "CDROM100.DLL".


Alien analysis module

Not every analysis module works with every version of the ChessBase program. Some modules are protected against the authorised user number. This prevents the unauthorised copying of analysis modules and thus protects both the distributors and the author against the loss of revenue due to licence evasion

If you should get this error message your program number might not have been registered correctly. Please get in touch with your dealer or with ChessBase, when you will be given full assistance.


Alien data

Valuable data disks are linked to the authorised user number of the buyer at random intervals. This is to prevent unauthorised reproduction and protects both the distributors and the author against the loss of revenue due to licence evasion.

Data disks represents the copyrighted work of an author. This work usually takes a great deal of time and effort and the author deserves a fair share of the proceeds from sales. Since there are people whose personal views of right and wrong can only be influenced by technical means in such matters, various data disks are linked to the users specific (authorised) program by an internal code.

If you should get this error message your program number might not have been registered correctly. Please get in touch with your dealer or with ChessBase, when you will be given full assistance.


Please read in A: or B: first

If you want to install a database from a floppy disk to a hard disk you must first bring the icon of this database into the database window.

To do this, click on [image] or [image]. ChessBase will search through the respective disk for databases and will show them as icons.

Once it has done so, select the database you wish to install (click on it) and call up the "install on hard disk" function.


No games found

You have carried out a search for games which has not had a positive result. Either the databases which have been searched do not have any suitable games, or the search mask was not filled in correctly (e.g. typing error(s)).

If the search was carried out in a database window you will now see an empty clipboard window in front of you. Please close it by pressing ESC before calling up a new search.


Game not from this database

You want to classify a game (the one in the last active board window) manually to a key which does not belong to the same database. You can only enter games in a key when they come from the same database.


Glossary of ChessBase terms
Glossary of terms

Analysis module

Selected database

Automatic installation of databases

Accompanying text

Board window

CBWIN.INI

Database

Database window

Detail key

Delete duplicate games

"Drag & Drop"

ECO code

Classifying an opening

Opening keys

Import protocol

Clipboard

Multitasking and background tasks

Games list window

Key window

Work database

Search booster

Searchmask

Theme key

Types of database

Merging games

Virtual memory

Fonts

PGN-Format

A guide to file names


A guide to file names

All files which belong to a database have the same name, but their suffixes are different:

NAME.CBF

NAME.CBI

These files contain all the game information in a database. The files grow when new games are either saved or copied in the database.

NAME.CKO

NAME.CPO

These files contain the opening keys for a database. The CKO file grows when games are classified. The CPO file stays the same size. In it you will find the classification positions

NAME.CKP

The player key generated by the "ALPHA" program. The more terms it contains and the more games are classified in it, the more extensive it becomes.

NAME.CKE

The endgame key generated by the "FINALE" program.

NAME.CKM

The middlegame key generated by the "MOTIVE" program.

NAME.CKN<1.1>

NAME.CPN

These files represent the theme key. Automatic classification in the theme key works by means of the search mask.

NAME.CKU

A user (self-defined) key in which games can only be classified manually.

NAME.CGI<1.1>

The search booster. Contains additional information about the games (52 Bytes per game) which accelerate position, material and manoeuvre search by up to factor 100.

NAME.INI

The name and type of database are recorded in this text file. In addition, this is where ChessBase saves the import protocol.


Databases

All the games you run with ChessBase are saved on databases. A database can hold a maximum of 8 million games.

ChessBase displays the databases in the database window in which each database has an icon, through which it can quickly be accessed.

The simplest way to call up games from a database is to use the games list. This shows all the games in the order in which they are stored in the database. When a new game is saved it always goes to the end of the work database.

If you only want to see specific games, e.g. all the short games won by Black, you use the searchmask to scan the database.

Databases can have keys. These represent the "contents" of a given database through which you can quickly access specific games. The most important is the opening key. When you access the database with this key you can quickly find all the games which have the same opening variation.

A guide to file names


Detail key

The most frequently used opening key is the Informator key which comes as part of the ChessBase package. However, when dealing with larger databases it can be rather a "coarse filter". One way to get more refined access to the games is to activate the detail key.

This is done by clicking on the [image] button in the key window or by pressing ALT-X. ChessBase uses the ECO code of the first game in the key to decide which detail key to install.

Detail keys come with the openings disks for ChessBase and are installed in the DETAIL.CKO directory in the program directory (e.g. C:\CBWIN\DETAIL.CKO).

The file names of the keys in the DETAIL.CKO directory indicate the opening area covered by a given detail key.

Examples: C19.CKO, A30_A39.CKO, E70_E73.CKO, E72.CKO

The detail key chosen is always one which suits the games in question and which covers the narrowest ECO range. Using the above example, the key chosen for games with an ECO code of "E72" would be the E72.CKO key, not the E70_E73.CKO key.

If you already have openings disks you can copy their keys into the DETAIL.CKO directory and rename them accordingly. For example, RUSSIAN1.CKO/CPO would become C42.CKO and C42.CPO

You can also enter any number of detail keys yourself, of course.

It always takes a few seconds to call up a detail key because the games in the outgoing key need to be re-organised.


Opening keys

Opening keys act as an index of the opening variations in a database. They have two important properties:

1.	The games in a database can be automatically classified into the correct keys.

2.	An opening key can be expanded. It is therefore easy to incorporate an existing key into your repertoire.

The opening keys are called up via the key list window. The "contents" of a key appear as a list of all the games which are classified by that key. In most cases you will also find subkeys which list additional games or keys. The games listed under a given key fit in with that key, but not with one of the supplementary subkeys. The whole system can be compared to the file/directory structure on your hard disk, where the subkeys are the directories and the files are the games.


ECO-Code

ECO stands for "Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings". This reference system of openings is used by the publishers of Chess Informator. Individual variations are indicated by abbreviations such as "C43" (Russian with 3.d4) or "D89" (Grünfeld Indian Exchange - main variation).

This is an internationally recognised standard system of describing chess openings, which is why it is also used in ChessBase: First of all, the package contains an opening key which classifies games according to their ECO code. Secondly, all the games published by ChessBase come with the correct ECO code already recorded in the data, which then appears in the games lists and on print-outs.

If you want to find out more about the ECO key you can look through the ChessBase disk entitled "An introduction to the Informator key". Here you will find the whole system explained, with references to the traditional opening descriptions, and illustrated by famous annotated short games.


Virtual memory

The main memory of your computer is described as a "RAM" (Random Access Memory, sometimes known as Read and Write Memory). The bigger your RAM, the more smoothly your Windows programs will run on your computer. Because it is a large program, ChessBase is happiest with 8MB RAM.

Should you need to increase the main memory in Windows, however, you can do so with "virtual memory". Virtual memory is a file on the hard disk which acts like RAM memory. The program cant tell the difference, but it does run a little more slowly. This is because the mechanical process of accessing a disk naturally takes longer than simply reading from the main memory blocks.

If you only have 4MB you should definitely use virtual memory because otherwise ChessBase will run too slowly.

To do this you need to call up the "386 Enhanced" dialog from the Windows Control Panel. There you will see a box marked "virtual memory". It is best to put in a permanent memory file on your hard disk.


Work database

A work database is a database in which games are saved. It can be recognised by the fact that its icon appears in red in the database window.

A database is activated as a work database by clicking on the corresponding icon in the database window and pressing the INSERT key or clicking on [image].

If you are saving a game, the name of the database will appear at the top of the save dialog so that you can check that you are saving it to the right database.


Automatical installation of databases
Automatic installation of databases

Databases can automatically be installed from disks to the hard disk, providing that the database on the disk has a specific type. ChessBase decides how to proceed with the installation according to the type of database to be installed.

The program always tries first to find a database on the hard disk whose type matches the data on the disk. If this proves to be unsuccessful the files are copied as a separate database onto the sub-directory of the ChessBase program directory. (If you do not want this to happen please enter the name of the directory of your choice in "InstallPath=" in the CBWIN.INI file in the Windows directory).

Examples:

ChessBase Magazine

The main file goes into the "large database".

The tactics file is put in "tactics" database. If this type of database does not exist it will go into the TRAINING directory as a separate database.

The endgames will be copied onto the "endgame" database. If this type does not exist they will go into the ENDINGS directory.

Openings disks

can either go into the large database or be copied separately onto the OPENINGS directory, depending on what you prefer. In both cases ChessBase copies the detail keys which are on the disk so that you can continue to make use of them. Any existing FritzBooks will be copied onto the C:\FRITZ2\BOOKS directory. If you have installed Fritz in another directory you can alter it in the text file CBWIN.INI (in the Windows directory).

Tournament disks

go into the "large database".

Informator

goes into an "Informator" database.

For the automatic installation process to run smoothly it is important that you specify the types of database correctly on the hard disk. You must therefore use the 'info' command in the "Database" menu to inform the program which of your databases is the "large" one, which one represents a collection of "tactics", etc.


Types of databases
Types of database

ChessBase differentiates between databases by their various types. One of the useful things about this is that it is easier to structure your collection of games. Another is that the program can automatically install games from disk, because it uses the database types to decide what goes where. Games which are on a magazine, for example, are automatically installed in the main (large) database.

The type of a database can be established by clicking on the [image] button in the database window.

List of the various types of database

Unknown

Work file

Own games

Large database

Informator

Openings disk

ChessBase Magazine

Historical Material up to 1945

Tournaments

Correspondence chess

Tactics

Analysis

Training

Endgames

Study

Lightning and speed chess

Computer chess

Chess problems

Patzer

In addition there are various nationality items.


The selected database

There is always just one database selected in the database window. Most of the operations carried out will relate to that database.

Examples: Show games, show opening key, classify opening, compare.

You select a database by

-	clicking on its icon with the mouse.

-	moving the highlighted section with the cursor keys.

A database which has been selected has a black border around it.


The database window

The database window contains icons for the individual databases. In ChessBase, communication with a database generally takes place via its icon.

Here you can establish in which database you want to search for games, for example, which opening key is to be called up, or where games are to be saved.

Most commands (e.g. calling up a key) work on the selected database. A database which has been selected can be recognised by the fact that it has a black border round it.

If you want to see the games in a database, for example, first click on the appropriate icon and then either click on the [image] button or press ENTER. A games list will appear. If you would like to look at the opening key of a database which has been selected, click on the [image] button or press CONTROL-K.

Definition of the buttons in the database window

Searches the selected database for specific games and brings them up on the clipboard. Several databases can be searched at the same time: To select which ones, either press SHIFT-INSERT or press and hold down SHIFT and click on the databases of your choice.

Shows the games list of the selected database.

Shows the opening key of the selected database.

Shows the player, middlegame, endgame, tournament, or user keys.

Alternatively: Removes the icon from the database window or completely deletes it from the hard disk or floppy disk.

Sorts the icons according to database type.

Establishes a work database.

Establishes the name and type of the selected database.

Saves the games list as a text file.

Tip: A quick way to bring the database window into the foreground is to press the F12 key.

How are additional icons brought into the database window?


Games list window
The games list window

From a games list you can select which games you would like to play or print.

In the games list window there is a slider bar which is used to select games by moving it either with the mouse or with the cursor keys. When you press ENTER the game you have selected to play will be loaded into a board window.

Special feature: You can select more than one game at a time. This can either be done by holding down the CONTROL key while clicking on the desired games with the mouse, or solely with the keyboard by holding down the SHIFT key and moving the cursor down the list. If you press ENTER when several games have been highlighted they will all be merged into a single variation tree.

Definition of the icons in the tool bar:

Loads the highlighted game(s) into a board window.

(Shows an) overview of n boards. Alt-O.

Calls up the opening keys for this database. CONTROL-K.

Activates a filter for the games shown via a searchmask. Alt-M, TAB.

Shows the data in the games list as moves. Alt-Q.

Shows the data in the games list as names, tournaments, etc. Alt-Q.

Default move. Alt-J.

Produces a set of statistics for the games shown.

Takes games which are highlighted onto the clipboard. Alt-F5

"Highlights" games as important (in blue) or cancels the "highlighting".

Deletes games which have been highlighted or reverses a deletion.

Prints the games selected.

Calls up the relevant section(s) of the help file relating to the games window (not 	implemented).

Keyboard functions in the games list window:

HOME, END

Goes to the top /bottom of the list.

ENTER

Loads highlighted game(s). If several games are highlighted they are all merged into one tree.

Shift-CURSOR downwards

Selects several games which are to be loaded, clipped, exported, deleted or printed.

Shift-Page down

Selects a whole page of games.

Shift-End

Selects all the games down to the bottom of the list.

CONTROL-CURSOR up, down

Scrolls automatically.

Spacebar/backspace

Moves the highlighter bar without scrolling.

PAGE up, down

Scrolls page by page.

F4

Shows moves line by line.

F5

Puts highlighted games on the clipboard.

Alt-Q

Alternates data in games list between move and normal representation.

Alt-J

Default move.

Alt-O

Overview of several diagrams.

Alt-M

Searchmask as a filter.

CONTROL-P

Print/text file for selected games.

CONTROL-T  <1.1>

Jumps to the next tournament.

CONTROL-SHIFT-T  <1.1>

Generates a tournament table if the game highlighted in the list is the first of a tournament.

DELETE

Marks selected games as deleted.

+

Highlights selected games as important. They then appear in blue.

TAB

Turns the searchmask on or off.

ESC

Closes the window.

If the F11 key is pressed at any stage in the program, all the games list windows which are open at the time are arranged side by side on the screen.


Key list window
The key list window

The keys in ChessBase provide fast access to a database. They can be thought of as a kind of list of contents, where the games in a database are listed under the sections and subsections.

The most important are the opening keys. With external programs such as ALPHA it is also possible to put in keys for players names, endgame types, etc.

Keys are called up via the key window. The key window works in a similar way to the normal games list window.

However the key window also shows the names of the keys at the top of the lists of games. When you select a key, its contents - which can be made up of games and secondary subkeys - appear in the window.

A double click on the line marked by two dots at the top of the key window will take you back to the upper key.

Definition of the icons in the key window:

Shows an overview of the key structure.

(Shows) only the current key with the classified games.

Switches the games count on or off. Alt-N.

Loads a refined detail key - if available - according to the ECO code of the games. Alt-X.

Calls up the utilities menu of commands concerning key maintenance. (New key, edit, etc.). CONTROL-U

Keyboard functions in the games list window:

INSERT

Inserts new keys into the selection bar. The position being classified must be in the most recent board window.

DELETE

Deletes selected keys.

F3

Takes you back to the upper key (SHIFT-F3 goes back without overview of key structure).

Alt-N

Switches the games count on or off.

Alt-W

Changes the highlighted key name.

Alt-X

Loads the detail key.

CONTROL-U

Calls up the utilities menu onto the screen.

CONTROL-M

Takes a highlighted key into the "Memo".


Clipboard
The clipboard

The clipboard is a very practical tool for editing games material. For example, you can collate games from different databases and keys here in order to sort them into what is important and what is not.

You can open the clipboard window by clicking on [image], for example.

The clipboard behaves in exactly the same way as the games list window - but it has a few additional functions.

There are various ways of bringing games onto the clipboard:

1.	Select the games from the games or key windows (hold down the SHIFT key while moving the cursor or hold down CONTROL and click on the desired games) then press F5. Alternatively: highlight the relevant games and move them to the clipboard icon in the database window with the mouse while holding down the key (Drag & Drop). If the clipboard window is open then the games can also be "dropped" there as well.

When using the Drag & Drop technique, the database window (or the clipboard window) and the games list window (from which the games are being taken) should be side by side for practical reasons. This can be done by pressing ALT-F9.

2.	Drag the desired database symbol into the database window onto the clipboard.

3.	Select one or more keys from the key window, then press F5 or move it/them to the clipboard icon with the mouse while holding down the key. All the games in that key (including subkeys) will be transferred to the clipboard.

Definition of additional icons in the tool bar:

Sorts the clipboard according to a given criterion. Please note: it can take a little longer to sort according to "moves" (where openings are sorted) because each game has to be loaded. Key F6.

Clears the clipboard. Alt-V.

Deletes all the games which are not highlighted from the clipboard. Useful when you want to concentrate on a specific variation after the moves have been sorted, for example.

Finds duplicate games. You have two alternatives to choose from:

a) Cut the duplicate game(s) from the clipboard. Useful when games have been "clipped" from several databases (e.g. large database and Informator).

b) Mark duplicate games as deleted if they come from the same database. This way you can get rid of the doubles in a database - by bringing it either in part or as a whole onto the clipboard and using this function to mark the duplicates.

A duplicate can be identified by one of the following: 1) identity of the White player, 2) equal result, 3) equal length, 4) corresponding succession of moves (without taking the commentary into consideration).

Only games which do not have a commentary can be considered as duplicates.

Cuts all the highlighted games from the clipboard.

Plays one game on the clipboard after another until you click on the stop button or press CONTROL-H. If you press F10 it will skip to the next game and carry on playing. To repeat the last game press CONTROL-F10.

Keyboard functions:

As per the games list except for the following differences:

F5	Cuts highlighted or marked games from the clipboard.

F6	Sorts the clipboard.

The capacity of the clipboard depends on how much memory is available. This is shown in KB at the bottom of the ChessBase program window (in the centre of the border). Around 850 KB is needed for every 10,000 games on the clipboard.


Board window
The board window

Games are either played or entered in the board window. It can either contain a diagram (in three different sizes) or game notation or usually both.

Diagram and notation are coupled, i.e. when you click on a move, the relevant position comes up on the screen.

To play, either use the cursor keys or click on the cursor keys on the screen with the mouse:

Ends variation and goes to the start of the last line branch.

Takes back a move.

Corrects a move (Takes back and does not query the replacement move)

Makes a move.

Goes to the next line branch.

Definition of icons in the tool bar:

Sets the diagram size, or switches off the diagram, respectively.

Selects the type of notation: Full notation, tabular notation, training notation. Keys N, L.

Flips the board. CONTROL-F.

Puts a new game into the current window.

Used when inputting commentary in the form of text. CONTROL-A.

Used when inputting commentary in the form of "!, ?" etc.. Press ! key.

Used when inputting commentary in the form of "+=, =" etc. Press = key.

Used when inputting commentary in the form of "RR, with the idea," etc. Press $ 	key.

Deletes the present variation (disregards the succeeding moves).

Deletes variation.

Promotes variation.

Saves game.

Plays the game automatically. If you click on the notation while the game is being played it will then continue from the move you have indicated. To stop, press ESC or CONTROL-H, or click on the stop button.

Switches the first analysis module on and off.

Shows the game details. CONTROL-I.

Enable displaying of coloured arrows and squares. <1.1>

Keyboard functions in the board window:

CURSOR right, left

Makes moves and takes moves back.

CURSOR up, down

If notation has been opened: moves up or down a line in the notation.

If there is no notation: Goes to the last/next line branch.

Delete

Calls up the last variation menu (goes back to the last line branch).

CONTROL-A

Used when inputting commentary in the form of text.

CONTROL-E <1.1>

Erase all arrows and square colours.

CONTROL -F

Flips the board.

CONTROL -G

Goes to move no. x.

CONTROL -I

Shows the game details (Info).

N

Switches the notation on or off.

L

Alternates between line and full notation.

T

Takes back a move and interprets the next input as a variation move.

CONTROL -1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Five diagram sizes.

!

Puts in "!, ?" etc.

=

Puts in "+=, =" etc.

$

Puts in "better, RR," etc.

Alt-F2

Starts/stops the first analysis module.

Alt-F3

Starts/stops the second analysis module.

Alt-F5

Starts/stops the third analysis module.

Space bar

Makes the move suggested by the analysis module.

+, -

Increases/decreases the number of main variations to be analysed in the analysis module. This function is supported by Fritz3 and Doctor?.

x	<1.1>

Switches the analysis module to calculate the opponents threat in the current board position.

y	<1.1>

If the analysis module looks at one main line only, this command switches to the next best move.

STRG-F2 <1.1>

Switches the analysis mode of Fritz3 to the generation of tree which can be merged by Drag&Drop with the main game.

SHIFT-F8 <1.1>

Maximizes a board window.

Commenting on games


Entering moves

A move is entered by clicking on a piece with the mouse and moving it to the desired position while holding down the mouse button. When you click on a piece ChessBase will suggest a plausible move. If you wish to make this move just release the mouse button.

Alternatively you can click on a square and ChessBase will put a frame round a piece which could move there. If the suggestion is not suitable go to the piece you prefer while holding down the mouse button or press the right mouse button.

If you want to overwrite a move the system offers three alternatives:

a)	Overwrite - all the succeeding moves are lost.

b)	Start a variation - the new move is treated as an alternative continuation

c)	Insert - for correcting input errors. The succeeding moves remain, if they are legal.

Three important keyboard shortcuts for entering moves quickly:

T

Takes back and interprets the next move as a variation (called a "takeback").

CONTROL

If you overwrite an existing move by entering a new move while holding down the CONTROL key, the new move will be accepted as the start of a variation without question.

SHIFT

If you hold down the SHIFT key, on the other hand, the old move will be overwritten by the new one without question. All the succeeding moves will be lost.

Moves which have been entered in error can be corrected with the [image] button.


Annotating games

There are three ways of commenting on a move:

1.	Inserting an alternative continuation - leads to variations.

2.	Commenting in the form of text.

3.	Commenting in the form of symbols.

Variations can be inserted by simply making an alternative move on the board in the position in question. A dialog will appear in which you should click on "new variation". However, if you hold down the CONTROL key while making the move with the mouse it will automatically be regarded as a variation.

To begin a commentary in the form of text you need to click on the [image] button. A small text editor will appear where you can type in several lines of text, which you can indent as appropriate. Alternatively, press CONTROL-A.

If you want to make comments in the form of symbols, click on [image], [image] or [image]. Menus will appear from which you can call up all the commonly used commentary symbols. The first menu mainly contains assessments (both positive and negative) of a move, while the second menu is more geared towards evaluating a position. The third menu has a selection of symbols which should go in front of the move.

ChessBase supports the drawing of coloured arrows and squares on the board. This gives the annotator a powerful means to visualize attacks, strategical structures etc. without using words. <1.1>

ALT + mouse click	Set green square colour.

ALT + SHIFT + mouse click	Set red square colour

ALT + STRG + mouse click	Set yellow square colour

ALT + drag mouse	Draw green arrow

ALT + SHIFT + drag mouse	Draw red arrow

ALT + STRG + drag mouse	Draw yellow arrowl


Accompanying text to a database
The accompanying text to a database

The accompanying text to a database can contain introductory information, tournament tables or training instructions. So, for example, the main file on the ChessBase Magazine disk contains an accompanying text complete with tournament tables.

To the left of the accompanying text you will see special characters. These will trigger an action when you scroll to them with the scroll bar and either press ENTER or double click on them.

"!"	Goes to another position.

"#"	The destination of a move triggered by "!".

"@"	Loads another accompanying text.

"&"	Loads the game with the subsequent number from the database.

Accompanying texts can also contain graphics. ChessBase for Windows, which processes graphics in the Windows-BMP-Format (e.g. Paintbrush), is not compatible with ChessBase 4.0/DOS here. Therefore accompanying texts which were created for ChessBase 4.0/DOS appear without graphics.

Keyboard combination:	CONTROL-T


Search booster
The search booster <1.1>

The search booster accelerates the search for positions, material, manoeuvres and player names by up to a factor 100. It represents an extra file (.CGI) which can be created for any database. This file grows at 52 Bytes per game in the database.

The menu Technical offers the two functions Create search booster and Delete search booster to create or delete the CGI file for the selected database.

If you search for e.g. for a positional fragment or a material distribution the program will ask whether it should create a search booster. You may interrupt the generation of the CGI-file at any stage. The search will then be only partially accelerated. The generation of the CGI-file may be continued later.

If you copy new games to your database the program will offer to complete the CGI for the new games as soon as you start a search.

CGI = ChessBase Game Index


Searchmask
The searchmask

The searchmask is used to look for games. It can be used in two ways:

1.	As a filter in games lists - including keys and clipboard. Only those games which meet the search requirements will be shown. The filter can be switched on or off by clicking on [image] or pressing the TAB key.

2.	For searching several databases from the database window. Click on [image] to use this function. To select which databases are to be searched, hold down the SHIFT key as you click on them with the mouse - they will then be highlighted in grey.

Searching for players

The search can be for one or several players at the same time:

1.	Enter the name or part of the name (e.g. Karpo") in the "player" box. When searching for more than one player, click on the button marked "+" before adding each extra name to the list. The list of players is closed by clicking on the button immediately to the right of the input box.

If you dont click on "+", the player whose name has just been entered will always be placed at the top of the players list. To delete a player from the list click on the button marked "-".

2.	When looking for players games by colour select "White" or "Black" from the menu. In the same way, if you are looking for games won or lost you can restrict the search by selecting "1-0" or "0-1" respectively.

3.	Where several players have been selected, if "opponent" is entered next to a name in the player menu, it means that ChessBase will look for games in which this player plays against the other players entered.

The search for specific tournaments or commentators works in a similar way.

If you want to search for games from a specific period of time, use the "year" button to enter the relevant period. The search for games with a specific ECO code works in the same way.

When searching for games of players with a specific Elo rating you can use the menu to decide whether the Elo average of the opponent, or a number, or both numbers should be included in the pre-set limit.

In addition, there are separate search boxes for positional motives, material distribution and manoeuvres.

Practical example: Preparing for an opposing team of four players

You are the captain of an Olympic team which is to play against England in a few hours. The English line-up consists of Short, Speelman, Adams and Nunn. Your team is to play White on the first board. You are to give the players printouts to help them prepare their openings.

A) 	Search

1.	Select your large database from the database window by clicking on it.

2.	Press Alt-M to call up the searchmask.

3.	Enter "Short" in the player box. Click on "Black" in the player menu, then on "+".

4.	Now type "Speelman" in the player box. Click on "White" in the player menu, then on "+".

5.	"Adams", "Black", "+".

6.	"Nunn", "White", "+".

7.	Click on "OK" to start the search. The clipboard will open where ChessBase will enter the games it finds.

B) 	Print-out

8.	Sort the clipboard according to moves (using F6) so that games with similar move sequences are listed side by side on the print-out.

9.	You now want to print-out the Short games. But all the games are mixed up on the clipboard at the moment. This is where the searchmask as filter function comes is useful: Press Alt-M to call up the searchmask. Click on "clear all" to clear the old search definition.

Enter "Short" and click on "OK". Only the Short games will appear for the moment - all the others are filtered out.

10.	Move the slider bar to the top of the list and select all the games by holding down the SHIFT key and moving the cursor downwards.

11.	Click on the print icon [image] (or press CONTROL-P). Select "Print game - normal" from the menu. In the dialog which follows you can limit the number of moves to be printed. This is a useful option here because you dont really want to go through an entire 100 move queen endgame when preparing an opening.

12.	After printing out, press Alt-M again to call up the searchmask. Now enter "Speelman" in the player box, click on "OK" and repeat steps 10 and 11. Do the same for Adams and Nunn.


Multitasking and background work

ChessBase is capable of "multitasking". This means that the program can carry out more than one task at a time. For example, when a longer search is still running it is possible to start playing one of the games which have already been found.

In ChessBase language, a function which runs parallel in this way is called a "background task".

Examples of background tasks:

-	All forms of using the searchmask.

-	Classifying openings in databases.

-	Printing out large numbers of games.

-	Automatic replay of games

Background tasks which are running can be halted by clicking on [image] , via the stop menu, or by using the keyboard shortcut CONTROL-H. You can tell if a background task is running by looking at the diodes [image] / [image], which flash yellow or red to indicate whether it is running or it has been stopped.

The most important use for multitasking is being able to play games which have been brought up by a search which is still running. It enables you to work without interruption, which is especially useful with background tasks which take a long time, such as searching for positional motives.

Here is a practical example: You are in a games list window and switch on the searchmask as a filter. This starts the search background task. As soon as the first game has been found, press F10 ("load next game") to bring it onto the board. You can now play this game in your own time. When you are ready, press F10 again to look at the next game (assuming the search has already found another game).

It is of course also possible to switch to another Windows program (Alt-TAB or CONTROL-ESC) while ChessBase is, for example, searching for games. If you are working on text it is normally possible to do so quite smoothly.


Fonts

The program allows you to install four different fonts: Game notations, game lists, key lists and printing. In principle you could use any Windows font for these. When you are using commentary symbols and figurine notation, you need to use the chess fonts included in the package. They are automatically installed when setting up ChessBase for the first time.

Fonts are selected in the "settings" menu.

The chess fonts are called "FigurinTmsCB" and "FigurinCrrCB". The first font has proportional spacing, i.e. the characters have different widths. The second has characters with a constant width. The latter should be used in the key windows because the key titles are arranged in tabular form. If you were to use proportional spacing here the individual moves would not be aligned neatly below one another.


Merging games

If you select several games from the games list or key windows (by holding down the CONTROL key while clicking on them, for example,) and press ENTER to load them they will then be merged into a single variation tree.

If a game or a number of highlighted games is/are "dragged" to the notation of a board window and "dropped" there, it/they will be merged with the game in the notation. Please see the Drag & Drop section if you are not familiar with this technique.

Inserting a single variation from a game with a commentary

If you have two games with a commentary, or two repertoire trees in front of you, and you want to incorporate a part of a tree or a single variation from the first one into the second, you can work directly from the notation by using Drag & Drop: This is done by using the mouse to "pull up" the move which is at the root of the part of the tree which is to be copied, and "planting" it in the notation of the destination game.

Practical example:

I would like to take a part of the repertoire tree from the ChessBase Magazine and insert it into the tree which describes my own White repertoire:

1.	Load the White repertoire.

2.	Load the Magazine repertoire tree.

3.	Press F8 to show the notation of both trees side by side on the screen.

4.	Click on the move in the Magazine tree from which the part you want starts to unfold.

5.	Drag it across to the notation of your own repertoire, while holding down the mouse button, and drop it there.

6.	Save the extended tree with "replace"

Merging identical games

Used when you want to merge the comments made by several commentators on the same game. The first game is defined as the parent game and its commentator is regarded as the main commentator. When incorporating the other comments, the first time there is a deviation the commentator concerned will be quoted in the text (CONTROL-A). All subsequent commentators will be listed in the text the first time their commentary appears.

When merging identical games, the setup (CONTROL-O) relating to variation depth etc. is no longer valid. The entire game is integrated, including all the variations.

Games are regarded as identical when White, Black, the result and the number of moves all match up.

There are three parameters in the "setup" (CONTROL-O) which affect the way games are merged.

With large openings repertoires, the structure of the variations can be considerably improved with the structure repertoire function. It makes the most important continuations the main variations.


"Drag & Drop"

In ChessBase, "Drag and Drop" refers to a specific task performed with the mouse which is used for copying games. This is how it is done:

1.	Click on an icon in the database window, for example, and keep the (left) mouse button held down. The mouse arrow will change its appearance.

2.	Now pull ("drag") the database icon onto another icon with the mouse while still holding down the button.

3.	When you reach your destination release the mouse button ("drop").

When you perform this task you are informing the program that you want to copy games from one database onto another.

Other examples of Drag & Drop:

1.	Bringing a complete database onto the clipboard

Go to the database icon in the database window, drag it onto the clipboard icon and drop it.

2.	Saving games on the clipboard onto a database

Go to the clipboard icon in the database window, drag it onto the icon of the database where you want the games to be saved and drop it.

3.	Copying selected games from a games list onto another database

You have selected the games in the games list: (Either by holding down the CONTROL key and clicking on the games you want to copy, or by holding down the SHIFT key and going down the list with the cursor key.) Now click on one of the selected games with the mouse and, keeping the button held down, either drag it onto a database icon or into a games list.

4.	Copying games from keys

Select one or more key(s) in the key list window. You can either drag them onto a database icon (or onto the clipboard icon), or into another games list..

5.	Merging selected games with a game in the board window

Drag the games selected in a games list onto the notation of a board window containing a game which is at least one move long. All the selected games will now be merged with the game in the board window.

6.	Copying variations from one game with a commentary onto another

Show the notation of both games side by side on the screen (press F8). Click on the first move of the variation you want to copy, 'drag' it into the notation of the destination game and 'drop' it. This is where the variation will be incorporated.

7.	Merging Fritz analysis from the analysis window with the main game <1.1>

Drag as described under 6. the analysis tree from the analysis window up into the notation of the main game. If only a partial tree should be included, drag the first move of that partial tree.


Opening classification
Classifying an opening

In ChessBase, classifying an opening means assigning a game to a specific key in the opening key.

The classification process is automatic and the mechanism can be described as follows:

ChessBase has saved one or more classified positions for each key. When a game needs to be classified, the program plays it backwards and compares each position with all the classified positions of the opening key. The game is then assigned to the key which correlates with the first position it finds.

When you install a new opening key in a database (in the "technical" menu), the above process will automatically classify all the games into keys accordingly.

The process of classifying an opening key is therefore affected by the addition and deletion of positions for classification. This is done using the functions in the utilities menu.


Import protocol

Import protocol is a list of the databases copied onto a file. A look at the import protocol avoids having multiple copies of games in a given database. For example, thanks to import protocol, the program will send out a warning message when you are about to copy the games of a ChessBase Magazine onto a database twice by mistake.

The import protocol is saved in the "INI-file" of the database.

You can see the import protocol by clicking on [image] in the database window.


Analysis module
The analysis module

A special chess program which automatically analyses positions can be consulted in the board window. Currently available are the programs Fritz3, Doctor? and EndgameCD (for perfect analysis of five-piece-endgames).

If you have bought and installed one of the analysis programs, it can be activated by clicking on [image] or pressing Alt-F2. If you have several analysis modules (e.g. Fritz3 and the EndgameCD), you can alternate between them with Alt-F2 and Alt-F3, or Alt-F5. To specify which analysis module is to be activated by which key combination, go to "select analysis module" in the "Status" menu.

Fritz3 and Doctor? can calculate several main variations at a time. You can set the number of main variations pressing the + and - key. A diod in the upper left corner of the analysis window blinks red if one side commits a tactical error.

Fritz3 and Doctor? use so-called hash tables. These improve the strength of play but require considerable amounts of memory. The size of the hash tables is preset at 512KB. If you want to increase this, please change the "AnalysisHashSizeKB" variable in the CBWIN.INI file, which is in the Windows directory. If you have two MB to spare on hash tables (and at least 8MB of RAM) you could put in "2048", for example.


Der Themenschlüssel
The theme classification key <1.1>

The theme key is a user defined index to a database. Like an opening key it is built hierarchically. ChessBase automatically classifies the the games of a database into the theme key. The search mask is used to define the criteria for the classification.

Main application of the theme key are middlegame motifs and endgame keys. Since all elements of the search mask are usable it is possible to do things like players keys or keys for quick wins with White, etc.

You call the theme key for the selected database through the dialog Other keys in the menu Database. The keyboard shortcut is ALT-2, ALT-T. Creation and modification of theme key entries goes like in an opening or user key. The key tools menu (Button [image] at the bottom right of the key window) contains all functions for that. Keyboard shortcuts are INS for inserting a new key entry and ALT-W for editing an existing item. When creating or editing key entries, the program first prompts for the related search mask and then for a name of the entry.

The theme key window offers two useful keyboard shortcuts:

F10	Loads the first game and immediately jumps to the position fulfilling the search criteria.

STRG-F	Copies the search criteria of the current key into the main search mask of the program for further use.


Das PGN-Format
The PGN-Format <1.1>

The PGN-Format (Portable Game Notation) is an international standard for saving games as ASCII text. Many chess programs support this format and it is common for transmitting games in networks like CompuServe.

ChessBase accesses data files in PGN format directly without any conversion necessary. Just register the PGN database as symbol in the database window and treat it with the normal ChessBase functions. List the games and scan them with the search mask. If you copy games from PGN to a CBF-symbol, e.g. by Drag&Drop, they will get converted automatically. PGN should not be used for permanent storage since it takes about seven times as much space as CBF and is considerably slower. Furthermore one cannot install opening keys or search boosters with PGN databases.


CBWIN.INI

CBWIN.INI is a text file put in the Windows directory by ChessBase. This contains all the settings saved by the program. The file can be seen with any text editor (e.g. "NOTEPAD.EXE").

There are some sizes which can only be set directly in this file:

- "AnalysisHashSizeKB", the size of the hash table for the analysis module.

- "InstallPath", the path where databases appear when they are automatically installed on the hard disk.

If you delete CBWIN.INI all the settings are lost, including all the icons in the database window. On the other hand, CBWIN.INI is a quick way of getting rid of a database window which is full to overflowing.


Removing doubles from databases
Removing doubles (duplicate games) from databases

There is a function on the clipboard which can recognise and remove duplicate games.

The easiest way to get rid of doubles in a database is to bring them all onto the clipboard. Use the Drag & Drop technique to drag the database icon in the database window onto the clipboard icon.

The capacity of the clipboard depends on how much memory is available. This is shown in KB at the bottom of the ChessBase program window (in the centre of the border). Around 850 KB is needed for every 10,000 games on the clipboard.

If the database does not fit onto the clipboard it can be worked on in two or more parts. Imagine you have 50,000 games but you only have 4,000 KB available, so that approximately 30,000 games can fit comfortably on the clipboard, or be "clipped". You need to take the following steps: first bring 25,000 games onto the clipboard and delete the doubles. Then clear the clipboard and work on the remaining 25,000 games. This works perfectly if your database is sorted chronologically, because that way any duplicate games will always be in the same block.

If you have brought a number of games from a database onto the clipboard, click on [image]. In the dialog box which appears, select "mark as deleted". The program will now sort the games in the clipboard and mark games as deleted where:

1. The names of the White players are identical.

2. The number of moves of the games (without commentary) and the result are exactly the same.

3. The succession of moves of the games (without commentary) and the result are exactly the same.

Please note: In principle, games with commentary are not marked as deleted.

When you have used the above method and marked all the duplicate games in the database as deleted (be it in one or more parts), take the final step by calling up the "physical deletions)" function.


Database info

You can establish the type and name of a database in the database info. The name should not have more than 16 characters. The directory and file name of the current database appear in the title box of the dialog.

In addition, you can also call up the tournament index and import protocol from the database info.


Dialog: Copy games

This dialog appears when you want to copy games which are in one database into another. By showing you the file names of the source database and of the database to which the games are being added, it allows you to check them.

In addition, the number of games can be limited using the "from-to" box. If the destination database has an opening key, and you want the games being copied to be sorted into the opening keys of the destination database straight away, put a cross in the "classify opening" box by clicking on it with the mouse.

If you want to avoid doubling games in the target database, click Dont copy double games. Copying games with checking for doubles works much slower, however. <1.1>


Player key, endgame key, etc.

The keys in ChessBase represent a contents list which gives fast access to a database. The most important keys are the opening keys.

You can also put additional keys into a database, either by hand or with the help of external programs. These keys are detailed below:

Player key (ALPHA key)

The player key is produced by the "ALPHA" supplementary program. It enables you to gain fast access to players names by colour (White/Black), as well as by tournament and annotator.

Middlegame key (MOTIVE key)

The middlegame key contains strategic or tactical motives such as pawn structures and sacrificial themes. These keys are similar in definition to the positional keys, only more flexible. Middlegame keys are produced by the "MOTIVE" supplementary program.

Endgame key (FINALE key)

The "FINALE" supplementary program automatically produces a large endgame key, which is largely based on the endgame encyclopaedia issued by Informator.

Theme key (search mask key) <1.1>

The Theme key is created by the user. The automatic classification of games into this key follows search masks connected with the single key items.

"User" key

The user key is one which you can put in yourself, where the games need to be classified by hand. This is done using the "assign manually" function in the key utilities menu. An example of a typical key title in the user key would be "my best winning games", etc.


Tournament index

The tournament index contains all the tournaments in the database, in alphabetical order. The list gives the number of games and the number of the first game. If the games are not all in one section in the database (as might be the case with openings disks, for example), the game number is followed by "...".

The "table" button shows the participants of the tournament you have selected <1.1>. If there are duplicate games in the database (e.g. multiple commentaries) this will unfortunately distort the calculation of this result.


Options: Merging games

When merging games which have a commentary, there are three settings which regulate how many variations of the game being incorporated should be taken into consideration.

It is usually impractical to try to fit in all the comments because this would quickly result in confusion.

Definition of the three options:

Length of the variations being incorporated: Determines how many moves should be taken into consideration. The program does not always stick to this value rigidly: When the game ends just after the specified number of moves, for example, the remaining moves will also be taken into consideration.

Maximum variation depth: Determines the level of variation which will be taken into the destination game. Depth = 1 means that only the main variations of the game being incorporated will be taken.

Last move for variations: All variations, regardless of depth, will be ignored after this half-move in the game being incorporated. This is useful when you dont want to take middle game comments into an opening tree. What is more, a search for a correct link will break off at this move so as to prevent branching occurring at higher move numbers.

If you choose too low a value this could result in inaccurate (premature) links. If you choose a value which is too high, the merging will take a long time and comments on the middle game could end up in an opening tree.


Dialog: Settings

Notation

1.d4 - Game notation will be shown in algebraic short notation.

1.d2-d4 - Game notation will be shown in long notation.

1.P-Q4 - Everything will be shown in descriptive notation (only practised in Anglo-American chess).

KDSLTB.x+ - In this box you can set the symbols for the pieces, as well as the checks and captures..

When you choose underline ("_") as a character for the full stop, ChessBase will put in a full stop + space bar after the move numbers. The two boxes underneath allow you to quickly change from normal notation to figurine.

Paragraphs - Variations will be shown in paragraphs or as a block of text (as in Chess Informator, for example).

Justify - The program justifies the text.

Colour 1 - The colour of the comments in the notation window.

Colour 2 - The colour of second level variations (shown in italics) in the notation window.

Board window

Notation - (none), full notation, line by line notation, training. Selects which form of notation (if any) appears when a board window is opened.

Board - (none), small, medium, large. Selects what size of diagram (if any) appears when a board window is opened.

Animation - controls the speed of the graphic representation of moves on the board. High values mean a slow slide, while low values mean a quick dash.

Window

Maximize - when this is switched on all windows will automatically be maximized when they are opened.

Merge

Calls up the dialog which sets the parameters for merging games.

User

This is where you enter your name. When saving games on which you have commented yourself, for example, the user name will automatically be entered in the commentator box.

Heumas 2.0

Heumas is the "Heuristic Move Assistant" which suggests useful moves when you click on a piece. Heumas 2.0 is an improved version: It can recognise forthcoming threats and so gives a considerably higher success rate. Due to the amount of memory it needs Heumas 2.0 only works on fast 486 computers.


Show positions

The "show positions" dialog manages all the positions for classification of a given opening key. The name of this key is displayed in the frame.

Use the cursor keys to scroll through the positions.

The "delete" box deletes a position for classification. Once deleted, it will no longer be called up when classifying an opening.

The "integrate" box takes a position from one key and moves it to another. This means that from now on, games in which this position can be found will no longer go into their usual key. Instead they will go into the key which is currently in the key memo, because this is where the position in question has been moved.

You must therefore be sure to first bring a key into the memo.


Define position for classification

A displayed position is a future position for classification. It will either be assigned as the first classified position to a new key which has just been put in, or added as another position to a key which has been selected.

As a result of both of these options, when an opening is classified in future any game in which this position occurs will be assigned to the keys in question.

When you are putting in a new key and the program offers you a position from the last board window to have been active as a position for classification, and you do not want to integrate this position with the new key for any reason, click on "ignore".


Print several selected games

When you have selected games from a games list and clicked on the [image] button, this dialog will appear.

The first thing you decide here is whether you want to go straight to print or whether you want to go to a text file first.

If this is a normal games list, you have two functions at your disposal: "print game - normal" and "training positions".

When ChessBase prints out a game normally it prints the notation with all the diagrams embedded (CONTROL-D in the text comments).

The only time you should use the "training positions" function is when you have selected positions instead of complete games from the games list. ChessBase will then print out the initial positions. This is a quick way of producing an exercise sheet with tactical positions.

If the games list consists of games which have been collected as the result of a search, such as a search for positions, material or manoeuvres, you have the following extra functions to choose from: "print game - search result" and "training - search result". The first one shows the notation and diagrams at the point where the search requirement was met. The second only prints the relevant positions, not the notation.


Enter positional motives

This dialog is used for entering positional themes. It enables you to search for strategic motives which are based on pawn structures and piece configurations.

Positional motives are described by two boards:

1.	The Look-for board: Here the pieces and pawns are set on the squares on which they must be in the positions you are looking for.

2.	The Exclude board: With this you can establish which pieces and pawns should not be on specific squares in the positions you are looking for.

3. <1.1>The Or board: The Or-board allows diffuse search definitions. If you e.g. put a white bishop on b1 and c2, all games with a bishop on c2 or b1 will be found.

To put a piece on a square, click on the appropriate key in the piece bar. A click on the square on the board will put the piece there. If there is already a piece on that square, it will first be deleted.

 means a "joker". This can be any piece or pawn.

Up to four different pieces can be excluded for each square on the exclude board. If you would like to remove one of them again, click on it while holding down the CONTROL key. The same goes for the or board.

The boxes marked "first", "length" and "last" define when and how long the positional motive in a game should stay on the board - you are therefore defining the "move window".

The "first" and "last" boxes are used to set the move numbers between which the motive should appear. If the piece configuration in question appears after the "last move", for example, the game will be ignored in the search. This way you can, for example, limit the appearance of strategic motives to the middlegame.

The "length" value refers to the minimum number of consecutive half-moves a motive should appear on the board.

Examples of defining strategic motives:

a)	Rook on open c-file

Search board: 	 wRc1.

Exclusion board: White and Black jokers on squares c2-c7

b)	White isolated pawn on d4

Search board:	 wPd4

Exclusion board: wPc2-c7,e2-e7,d5-d7

c)	White passed pawn on e5

Search board:	 wPe5

Exclusion board: bPd6,d7,e6,e7,f6,f7


Enter manoeuvres

When searching for manoeuvres the aim is to find specific sequences of moves. A search for a positional motive, which only provides a static picture, often proves to be insufficient when you need to find out how a motive has come about.

In addition, a search for manoeuvres can be used to find a wide spectrum of tactical motives.

On the left side of the dialog you will see a list. This is where you enter the individual moves which make up a succession of moves in the right order.

To define the moves, use input dialogs in the frame in the upper right corner:

Colour:	The boxes W, B and WB select which side makes the move in question.

Piece:	The piece is selected from the list of pieces (English piece symbols). If it is to be an arbitrary piece, use a question mark.

Squares:	The start and destination square are entered in long notation ("e2e4"). It is possible to use the question mark as a joker: For example, "?3?3" means a move on the third rank. You must first delete a question mark before overwriting it with a number or a character.

Capture:	If this check box is selected (if there is a cross in the little box next to it), the move will be checked with a view to whether it captures anything. You determine which piece is to be captured from the list which follows. "?" means any piece and "0" means that the move only counts when it does not capture anything.

Sacrifice:	In the "sacrifice" box you put in a material value in terms of multiples of pawn units. When "sacrifice" is active the program requires that material is either won (positive values) or sacrificed (negative values) with the sequence of moves in question.

ChessBase calculates the material balance as follows: It moves backwards from the first move of the manoeuvre in question until it finds a non-capturing move. This is the position in which the material balance prior to the manoeuvre is calculated. The program also moves forwards from the last move of the manoeuvre until it reaches the first non-capturing move. The material balance is then calculated again. If the difference between both values in pawn units corresponds to the value entered in the "sacrifice" box it means the condition has been met.

Unfortunately, there are sometimes "horizon effects" when the manoeuvre ends either on the last move of the game or on the last move of the move window in view. This is most likely to occur if you say, for example: "White makes any (capturing) move and takes a pawn".

The move window

The move window defines the area of the game in which the program is to search for the manoeuvre in question. The "length" value refers to the maximum number of half-moves which make up the whole manoeuvre.

<1.1> The button Get board copies the position from the board window last activated into the look-for and the exclude board.

Examples:

a)	Bishop sacrifice on f7 followed by knight check on g5

wB??f7xP

bK??f7xB

wN??g5

Suggested move window settings: 5-40, length 3.

b)	Kingside attack with Qg3/Qg4 and Bh6

wQ??g?

wB??h6

Suggested move window settings: 5-40, length 8.

c)	Knight manoeuvre f3-e1-c2-e3-d5

wNf3e1

wNe1c2

wNc2e3

wNe3d5

and perhaps also:

b???d5xN

wP??d5x?

Suggested move window settings: 5-50, length 20.


Enter material balances

The search for material balances looks for specific endgame types.

For every white or black piece you can put in the minimum and maximum number which can appear on the board.

If the range for white pawns is set at "0-8", for example, it does not matter how many white pawns are on the board. If it is set at "3-4", on the other hand, the only valid positions are those with at least three and at most four white pawns.

The "ignore colours" box also permits material distributions with colours reversed. If you have put in "knight 1-1" for White and "bishop 1-1" for Black, for example, and all the other piece values are set at zero, the "ignore colours" option means that the program will not only find white knight against black bishop endgames, it will also find white bishop against black knight endgames.

The box Differences changes the way in which Blacks pieces are counted. The from/to intervals do not mean absolute values anymore but differences to the number of white pieces of one type on the board. Example: Black is two to four pawns down: Enter an interval minus two to minus four for Blacks pawns. <1.1>

The "opposite bishops" box means that only end games with opposite bishops are considered.

Finally there are the "no pieces" and "any pieces" boxes, with which you can establish specific starting configurations in order to reduce the amount of input needed.

Tip: If you put in "1-0" for any type of piece, the program will replace this with "1-1". The same applies for "2-0". This reduces the amount of input needed for clearly defined material balances.

You might wonder what the point is in having the "ignore colours" box, and why the program doesnt just search for reversed colour material distributions in the first place. The reason is that if this were the case you would not be able to produce a statistical analysis of specific types of endgame.


Overview in diagrams

The number of diagrams which can be seen in the game overview depends on the size of the ChessBase program window. Another factor to bear in mind is the "board" button, which you can use to change between the three available sizes of board.

If you click on one of the diagrams, the program will load the game onto the board window and go directly to the appropriate move.

A quick way to call up overview in diagrams is to press the "O" key (overview).


Enter starting position

If you want to enter tactical positions, endgames or chess problems, for example, you must first define the starting position.

In the "enter starting position" dialog you can place pieces on the board with the mouse. This is done by clicking on the pieces in the row on the right-hand side of the board. If you choose a white piece, the left mouse button will place the piece on the board and the right mouse button the black pieces. If you select the black pieces, it is the other way round.

The "reset" button produces the starting position.

When all the pieces and pawns are on the right squares you must decide who is to move next and which side(s) can still castle.

If the side which is not to move has just made a two-square pawn advance, the relevant file ("a" .. "h" ) must be entered in the "en passant" box so that ChessBase allows en-passant capturing.

Should the annotation not begin with move 1 you can insert a value which is to be added in the "move number" box.


Save game

All the characteristic data of a game is specified in the save dialog.

There are four text boxes where you can enter the names of who played White and Black, the tournament or origin of the game and possibly the name of the commentator.

In addition, there are selection boxes where you can enter the year and result.

If the game is incomplete (a "variation"), click on the arrow at the right of the result box to open a drop down list from which you can select an evaluation.

Finally, it is also possible to save the Elo numbers for White and Black at the time the game the game was played. To do this you need to activate the small box to the left of the appropriate number (mark it with a cross by clicking on it).

If you would like the game to appear with an ECO code in the games lists you must do the same in the small box next to the number concerned. So for "E99", for example:

The "old data" button brings the original data for a game which has been loaded - and which you have amended in some way, such as by adding comments - back onto the dialog.

Tip: As is the case with all dialogs, you can get fast access to individual boxes in the save dialog by using keyboard shortcuts which contain the letters underlined in those boxes. For example: Alt-A activates "old data", Alt-S goes to the players box, Alt-0 enters the result "Black wins".


Enter text commentary

Text commentary can contain a maximum of 32,000 characters per game. When entering comments you can use keyboard shortcuts to put in piece and commentary symbols.

You can press ALT-O ("OK") to exit the dialog, while the ENTER key inserts an indent. This indent appears both on the screen and on a print-out.

<1.1>  ChessBase allows to bind text commentary to a language and therefore to annotate a move parallel in several languages. The user chooses the languages he wants to get displayed in the game notation.

Click on the buttons below the text edit field to enter text commentary in a certain language. If you click on neutral, your commentary will not be bound to a language and always appear in the game notation. Neutral text and language-bound text can be mixed.

As in all Windows text edit fields you may use the Windows clipboard to cut and paste text with CNTRL-INS and SHIFT-INS. That would be the way to quickly copy a paragraph of text from a word processor or another game annotation into the current commentary.

Diagrams: If you want to print a game with imbedded diagrams, enter a "diagram control character" by typing CONTROL-D into a text annotation. ChessBase will then generate a diagram after the move the annotation belongs to.


Select the game to be replaced

As a rule, (when saving a game) you will want to replace exactly the same game in the database with the game you had previously loaded.

This dialog, however, gives you the option of selecting another game by entering its number. This game will then be overwritten by the game to be saved.

Should you want to put the game into a completely different database, on the other hand, the procedure is as follows:

0.	Switch to the database window by pressing F12.

1.	Activate the destination database as the work database.

2.	Enter the number of the game to be replaced in the destination database.

3.	Switch to the board window of the game to be saved by pressing CONTROL-F12.

4.	Press CONTROL-R and confirm the save dialog (old data) with OK.

5.	In the "replace" dialog click on "work database" and enter the correct number. Confirm it with "OK".

Replacement is extremely fast if you shorten the original game (e.g. by removing variations or comments). On the other hand, if the new game is longer than the one being replaced ChessBase has to find space in the database before it can be saved. The time taken to do this increases depending on the length of the database (up to one minute for a database with 100,000 games).


Create text file - settings

ChessBase creates three different text formats:

1. RTF:	This is a standard format understood by all major word processors. It contains information for formatting text and fonts. You can, for example, use bold type and italics to improve the presentation of comments. Embedded diagrams re-set correctly and, if you have installed TrueType fonts for printing diagrams, they can be printed out without any need for further conversion.

2. ANSI	The "normal" text file in Windows-ASCII format. It is understood by any Windows word processing package but does not contain any formatting information.

3. CBS	A format specific to ChessBase which contains formatting codes. When you call up a text file via the accompanying text function these codes enable you to produce a representation with textual attributes and embedded diagrams.

Various options are available to you, depending on the format:

- diagrams reversed: RTF files only. The diagrams are shown from Blacks perspective.

- co-ordinates: RTF files only. Diagrams have co-ordinates.

- indents: CBS files only. Variations are represented in the way annotation is usually presented on the screen.

Tip: When you are working on a text file in ANSI or CBS format, new text will always be added to a file if one exists already.

With RTF files the existing contents of a file will always be overwritten.


Page setup

This dialog is used to set the format of a page which is to be printed.

All details of size are in "points", i.e. units of measurement of type. However, if you are more used to working in millimetres you can do so by indicating this in the measurements: e.g. Left margin = '20 mm'.

The measurements for the four margins determine the distance of the material being printed from the edge of the page. For example, if you want to bind your print-outs together you should put in a large left margin.

ChessBase can also put annotations in columns. As well as being able to choose the size of the gap between columns you can also decide whether to put in a dividing line.


Print game notation - settings

This dialog offers you options when printing out game notations.

The settings are self-explanatory.

The option which enables you to print a game without the comments or variations is particularly useful as streamlines information to help players in their preparation. The setting "only to move" was also designed with this in mind: Not only is it a great help when preparing openings, it also saves paper. Both the above are only active when you are printing games selected from the games list window.

Another point to consider when a player is working on his/her preparation is whether it might not be better to merge games and print out the repertoire.


Print diagram - settings

When printing individual diagrams there are a few ways in which you can alter the layout:

You can specify the "header". This means you can either have the names of the players appear above the diagram or any other text which you want to insert in the box provided.

In addition, there are various ways of formatting the co-ordinates at the edges of the board.

The program will either calculate the size of a diagram automatically according to the width of the gap which you have set in the "page setup", or it will use the preset values which you have entered. The width of the edges of a diagram is measured in "points", (72 points = 1 inch), but you can just as easily put in values such as "50mm" since ChessBase will have no trouble in converting them.

If you are setting your own diagram size you can use "indent" to set the diagram away from the left margin. The size of the gap can be given in points or in millimetres.

The "footer" offers you the option of putting in text which is to appear at the bottom of the page. Alternatively, ChessBase can note the move to be made in the position which is being printed ('following move') or the move which has just been made. The 'last comment' option is useful when you are producing training material, where the comment could be a question or an exercise.

If you have Rolf Schlössers ChessBase-TrueType fonts at your disposal you will get a considerably better quality of print. If you do not, you might find that visible rastering occurs from time to time because the program uses the bitmap diagrams used for the screen display.

When you are inserting diagrams in the diagram list, the "insert in diagrams list" dialog appears so that you can adjust individual settings. You will also obtain this dialog by going into "page setup" in the "print" menu and activating "diagrams". When you do this all your settings will be retained and offered as default values when you next print diagrams. This saves you having to put in new settings, such as size and indents for example, for every single diagram.


Settings - print-out page layout

Every page on which game annotations, diagrams or repertoire trees are printed can have headers and footers. These can be centred, or left or right justified.

If you want to number your pages you can select the positioning here (top/bottom, left/right/centred). It is also possible to put in a number greater than one for the first page number.


Settings for printing a repertoire

The structure of a repertoire print-out also has certain features which can be customised.

1. Lines:

ChessBase will try to fit in as many variation in the main table as is specified here. It is not often possible to match this value exactly, however, because the decision as to whether a variation should be allocated a single line in the table depends on many other factors. As it is unfortunately not possible to stick to the exact number of lines this value is "approximate". What tends to happen is that there are fewer lines than the value entered here.

2. Minimum variation length:

Here you can put in the minimum number of half-moves which a variation needs to have before it can be allocated its own line in the table. Shorter variations become footnotes. The greater this value, the fewer lines will be formed in the table.

3. Empty column space limitation:

If the moves for a variation in one line of the table correspond to those in the previous line, this will be indicated by an empty column space with dotted lines in it. If the deviation from the previous variation comes much later on then there will be a corresponding number of empty column spaces. You can set an upper limit for the number of empty column spaces with this value: For example, a value of "six" means that a variation whose deviation appears among the last six half-moves which are to be put in the table, will always become a footnote.

The smaller this value, the more lines will be formed in the table.

If you select the "game data" box, the characteristic data for the main game will be incorporated into the commentary belonging to the last move of the main variation.


Enter number

ChessBase expects you to enter a number. Please enter this in the box in the middle and then click on "OK".


Enter text

ChessBase expects you to enter a string of characters. Please enter this text in the box in the middle and then click on "OK".


Player name

When statistics are collated the games won by White or by Black are calculated in the form of percentages.

If you want to evaluate the games won or lost by an individual player instead, you should enter the name of that player here. ChessBase will then only consider the games played by this player.

If this box is left empty (simply click on "OK") the program will collate statistics for all the games in the normal way.


First game

The first game in the database is not at the top of the games list window. This is the case because you might not want the search to start the beginning of the database. In this box ChessBase expects you to enter the game in the database from which the search is to start.


Select CD

This dialog appears when the analysis module "end game-CD" is started.

In the "CD path" box you must inform ChessBase which drive your CDRom is in: e.g. "R:\".

In addition, the program wants to know which CD you have inserted. If the wrong CD is in the drive, or if something else is wrong, the analysis module will present you with a long list of zeros.


Select analysis module

In the board window you can call up three different analysis modules with the keys Alt-F2, Alt-F3 and Alt-F5. In this input box you can determine which key combination is to be assigned to which module.


Create search booster
Create search booster (CGI)?<1.1>

You have startet a search for a player, position, material distribution or manoeuvre.

ChessBase offers to create a search booster before starting the search. This will improve the speed of this an all consequent searches drastically.

If you neither want to create a search booster nor want to get asked whenever starting a search, click Stop showing this question. You can always create or delete a search booster manually via the menu Technical.

The search booster file (.CGI) requires 52 bytes per game. A big database will therefore create a big CGI-file. If disk space is tight, you simply work without the search booster.


Language selection
Language selection <1.1>

The dialog Language (Menu Status) determines the language of program messages, help and text commentary in games.

ChessBase allows to annotate games with text commentary in different languages. You choose here in what language you want to see annotations in the game notation and in print-outs. Select a first and a second language. The further choice of one, both and all determines whether you want to see only annotations in your first language, in both languages or all existing languages.

If the game contains no text commentary in any of your chosen languages, it will display all other languages.


Analysemethode <1.1>
Analysis method <1.1>

You access the dialog Analysis method by clicking on the button [image] in the analysis window.

Fritz3 and Doctor? are able to analyse more than one line in a given position. You choose here at how many simultaneous lines the analysis program should look. If you prefer using the keyboard, type + and - directly in the analysis window to modify the number of variations.

If only one main line is investigated there are two ways of presenting it: Either the program scrolls the analysis window as soon as a new line is available thus creating a list showing the development of the best variations in the current position. Or the previous line gets overwritten, limiting the output to a single line and avoiding to much nervous motion in the window.

The font size determines the size of the notation in the analysis window. With low screen resolutions (notebook computer) it should be reduced.

Fritz3 and newer versions of Doctor? (later than August 1st, 1995), have the ability to create analysis in form of a variation tree. The variations of this tree can be merged by Drag&Drop with the main game.


Statistics
Statistics <1.1>

The switch Game information generates statistics about results, year, openings and length of the games. If you enter a name into the field player only the games of this player will be evaluated. Results will then be calculated from the players and not from Whites view, i.e. 0-1 means the player losing a game no matter whether with White or Black.

Piece probability calculates the position probability for all pieces from the games in question. These probabilities will be presented above a three-dimensional chess board. Choose the piece to be investigated by means of the button bar on the right hand side.

When calculating piece probabilities, you may define an interval in the game to which the evaluation will be confined. This avoids getting noise from the endgame into structural opening research. The default value for this interval is 1-35.

The switch weighted controls whether the duration of a piece on a square should be taken into account. If weighted is not selected the number of moves of a piece to a certain square will be counted and not the duration on that square.


Undefined help topic
Undefined help

No help available to this topic.


Tips and tricks

How do I "tidy" the screen when the windows have become disorganised?

Press F9

How do I arrange the last two windows to have been opened next to one another?

Shift-F9 arranges them one above the other, CONTROL-F9 side by side, and Alt-F9 will arrange them diagonally.

What is a quick way of bringing the database window into the foreground?

Click on [image] on the left hand side of the screen border or press F12.

How do I compare several board windows at the same time?

Press F7.To switch over to smaller boards, press CONTROL-F7

How do I compare two annotations at the same time?

Press F8

How do I bring the last board window to have been used into the foreground?

Press CONTROL-F12

What do I do when I want all the windows I open to be as big as possible?

Go to "settings" in the "status" menu and activate the "maximise" option. This is especially useful with a simple 640*480 VGA-resolution.

How do I correct a move entered by mistake?

Take the move back (by pressing the left cursor key, for example). Hold down the Shift key and make the new move.

How do I incorporate chess symbols into a text commentary?

By using the special ChessBase keyboard function keys which are also effective in the save dialog or when setting up opening keys.

What is a quick way of changing to a small board to make more room for the notation?

Press CONTROL-1 in the board window (CONTROL-2, 3, 4, 5 change to the other board sizes).

How do I return from a variation to the last point of divergence via the keyboard?

Press DELETE (chosen because it is close to the cursor keys).

How do I merge a game from a list with the game in the board window?

You must open the full notation option in the board window (press N). Arrange the games list and board windows diagonally (click on "top2-diagonal" in the window" menu). Use the drag & drop technique to pick up the game in the games list and drop it into the notation of the board window.

How do I print games with embedded diagrams?

Add a text annotation (CONTROL-A) to the move after which you want to insert a diagram. Press CONTROL-D to annotate this move with a special symbol telling ChessBase that a diagram is required at this position. Print out the game then.

How do I print a detailed variation tree?

Use the "repertoire" function in the "print" menu. This produces a print-out along the same lines as a table in a chess encyclopaedia.

How do I print several diagrams on one page?

Add each board position which you want to print to the diagram list Once you have collected all the diagrams, call up the "print diagram list" in the "print" menu.

How do I print a repertoire in landscape format?

Using the landscape format for printing variation trees makes them particularly clear because the lines in the table can be longer. Call up the "install printer" dialog in the "print" menu. Go to "format" and select "landscape format".

How do I print games with imbedded diagrams?

Create a text commentary to the move in question and enter a diagram control character by typing STRG-D.

How do I print several games in one go?

Select the games in the game list with SHIFT-Cursor down. Then click on the button [image].

How do I search for games in several databases, one after the other?

In the database window (press F12) select one icon after the other and press Shift-INSERT (or hold down the CONTROL key as you click on the icons). Icons selected in this way will appear dark grey. When you do this you are establishing a search selection.

Now call up the "search for games" function in the "database" menu and establish the search criteria via the searchmask. The games found will go onto the clipboard.

How can I carry out the drag & drop technique in the database window when the destination icon is not visible in that window?

Take the "dragged" database onto one of the light grey bars in the database window which are at the top and bottom of the icon area. The window will then carry on scrolling in the appropriate direction.

Automatic scrolling in the list window.

Press CONTROL-right cursor or CONTROL-left cursor to scroll up or down a games list.

How do I jump to the end of a games list?

Press END.

How do I select all the games in a games list window?

Bring the scroll bar up to the first game. Press Shift-END. This will only work if there are no more than 3,000 games in the list. A much easier way to copy databases is to use the database window.

How do I jump back a step in an opening key using the keyboard?

Press F3.

What is a quick way to recognise the pawn structures or endgames arising in a specific game in a games list without loading and playing it?

Click on [image] or press the "O" key for an overview.

How do I find all the games played by a specific player in several opening keys?

Bring the games of the opening keys onto the clipboard using the drag & drop technique. This can either be done by dragging the key from the key window onto the clipboard icon or onto the clipboard window.

Success statistics for filtered games

You can use the searchmask in the games list window to produce statistics for the filtered games.

This enables you to answer questions such as "What is the probability of White winning when the advance e4-e5 is played against Benoni-like pawn structures?"

How can I delete several games at a time?

Select all the games to be deleted, either by holding down the Shift key while selecting the games with the down cursor key or by holding down the CONTROL key while clicking on them. Then press DELETE. This marks all the selected games as deleted.

To remove the deleted games from the database permanently use the "physical deletions" function.

How do I delete duplicate games from an opening key?

Bring the games in an opening key onto the clipboard. Click on [image] and select "mark as deleted". ChessBase will then identify all the duplicate games and mark them as deleted so that they can be removed later.

This method also comes in handy when you want to remove doubles from a very large database. Depending on the main memory available in your computer, such a large database might not fit onto the clipboard completely. If this is the case use, for example, the search mask, to bring the five partial areas A-E one after the other onto the clipboard and then delete the doubles there. Clear the clipboard each time to make room for the next "clipped" part. Because duplicate games must always be in the same opening key it means every single double will be tracked down.

How do I improve the variation structures of repertoire trees which came about as a result of the "merging" process?

Use the structure repertoire function to arrange the variations in order of importance in chess terms. Remove transpositions by using the drag & drop technique to move the complete repertoire tree to a second annotation window, where the bare main variation is in the correct move order.


Help with problems

I cannot find my way around all the windows

Click on [image] with the mouse to switch between the windows. Use the important key combinations: F9 to (re)arrange the windows, ESC to close windows and F12 to bring the database window into the foreground. Make use of the window list in the "window" menu. Read carefully through the section entitled Tips on organising the screen.

Try changing your VGA card to a higher resolution. This will enable you to show more information on the screen (800*600 or even better 1024*768).

Strange characters appear in the opening keys and commentaries

Please install and use the correct fonts.

The memory display at the bottom of the program window is red

Either you dont have enough main memory available (indicated in kB) or not enough system resources are free.

If the former applies you will either have to add more RAM to your computer (if you only have 4MB, perhaps) or use virtual memory.

If the latter applies you have too many programs running at the same time. Close a few of these programs. If this does not help exit Windows and start again.

Windows programs can become very slow if they dont have enough memory because Windows constantly needs to accesses the hard disk.

Operations which require a lot of memory in ChessBase:

-	activating an analysis module (with hash tables).

-	addressing keys.

- bringing a large number of games onto the clipboard.

The analysis window is too narrow to show the entire main variation

There are two ways of making more room for the analysis module window:

1. Change to a smaller board (by pressing CONTROL-1, for example).

2. Reduce the size of the analysis notation font, by calling the configuration dialog in the analysis window (button [image]).


Bringing additional icons into the database window

Your most important databases should be represented by icons in the database window.

These icons can be created as follows: In the "database" menu there is a sub menu entitled "add to window ". This is where you will find all the necessary functions.

When you want to add an icon representing an important database to the database window, and this database is already on your hard disk (e.g. from ChessBase 4.0), use "database as a new icon".

If, on the other hand, you would like to set up a new database, i.e. and empty one, where you could copy games later, use the new database function.

If you have inserted a disk and want the databases which are on it to appear temporarily as icons (to copy games, for example), use disk A: or disk B:.

Finally, there is also a way of searching for all the existing databases on your hard disk and installing an icon for all of them: The automatic search. If these databases originate from old versions of ChessBase their type has not been established yet. Their icon is a white square.

If you have collected several dozen icons in the database window with the "automatic search" and now want to get rid of them quickly, use the DELETE button in the database window.


For ChessBase 4.0 users

Application from the point of view of the previous program

The new concepts

Incompatibilities


From the point of view of the previous program

At the start of the program

The database window appears. Here you will see the most important databases represented by icons.

You can add icons yourself. Indeed you will need to do so because the only way to have databases at your disposal, so you can call up games, is via their respective icons. You should add all thoses databases on your harddisk which you are likely to use regularly to the database window.

Listing games in a database

If necessary, press F12 to bring the database window into the foreground. Double click on an icon. Alternatively: Select an icon by clicking on it just once (or using the cursor keys) and press CONTROL-L.

The games list window is used in a very similar way to the old program. ENTER or a double click loads the selected game. The END key jumps to the end of the list. The CONTROL and cursor keys start automatic scrolling.

What is new is a way of selecting several games either by holding down the Shift key while selecting the games with the down cursor key or by holding down the CONTROL key while clicking on them. These can all be copied, deleted, highlighted, marked or loaded (merged) in one go.

Showing the opening key of a database

Click on a database icon in the database window (press F12 to bring it into the foreground if necessary). Click on [image], or press CONTROL-K.

Searching for games

Show the games list of the database in question on the screen (see above). Click on [image], or press Alt-M to call up the searchmask.

Only the games which satisfy the search criteria will appear because the searchmask works as a filter.

Entering and commenting on games

Press CONTROL-N to open a new board so that you can enter a game. Use the mouse to enter the moves on the board as usual.

Variations are started by simply making a move in the relevant position. A selection box will appear in which you should click on "new variation". A quicker way to do this is to hold down the CONTROL key when you enter the first move of a variation. This by-passes the dialog. The "T" key works the same way as it does with ChessBase 4.0: The last move is taken back and the next move to be entered is interpreted as a variation.

You can "leave" a variation which has just been entered by clicking on another move in the annotation. In addition, pressing the DELETE key will take you back to the last variation menu.

The last move (to have been played) is overwritten by holding down the SHIFT key.

Saving a game which has been entered

Bring the database window into the foreground by pressing F12. Establish the work database by pressing INSERT or holding down the CONTROL key while clicking on it. Press CONTROL-F12 to switch back to the board. This process does not have to be carried out for every game: If the work database has already been established all you need to do is to press CONTROL-S to save the game.

Exporting and importing

There is no longer any difference between a database and a export file. There are only games files with or without opening keys, between which you can copy from or copy to.

The quickest way to copy games between databases is via the database window (press F12 to bring the database window into the foreground): Go to the source file icon, hold down the mouse button as you drag it to the destination file, then let go of the mouse button to drop it (this is known as drag & drop).

Alternatively: Establish the destination file ("export file") as the work database by pressing CONTROL and clicking on it, and the source file as the selected database by clicking on it. Call up "copy games" in the "technical" menu.

The clipboard

Individual games can be brought onto the clipboard by pressing F5 in the games list, for example. In the database window an entire database can be "clipped" using the drag & drop technique to drag the database icon onto the clipboard icon. The size of the clipboard is flexible and can hold games from several databases. Because of this it is unfortunately no longer possible to bring keys onto the clipboard. If you drag a key onto the clipboard all the games in it will be "clipped".

The games on a clipboard can be saved in a new (or old) database: Set up a new database by pressing CONTROL-X , then drag the clipboard icon onto the new icon.

Change database

This is no longer valid because ChessBase can have several databases open at the same time. This way you can arrange the games lists of two databases (or opening keys) next to one another to compare them (by pressing F11 for example).

With functions which clearly refer to one database (e.g. "compare", "classify openings", "remove database"), the program will always relate them to the selected database in the database window. In addition there is also the work database. This is where games are saved.

If you want to address a database which is not represented by an icon in the database window you need to work with the "add to window" function in the database menu.

CONTROL-X sets up a new database.

Comparing (SHIFT-F6)

The "compare" function works the same way as in the old version. Opening keys and games are based on the database selected in the database window. This function was one of the more significant ones in ChessBase 4.0. Now that it can merge the first (most similar) games it has gained even more in importance.

Setting up, editing and deleting opening keys

All the functions needed to work actively on the opening keys are in the key utilities menu, which can be called up by pressing CONTROL-U in the key list window, for example.

Game and key memo

This is no longer valid. The key memo is still used in advanced key utilities functions, such as changing the way classified positions are linked, and is set using the key utilities menu.

Revolver

The revolver is now superfluous because several games can easily be compared simultaneously in the board windows. If you would like to arrange the board positions next to each other, like you did in the old revolver, press F7 or CONTROL-F7, depending on what size of diagram you prefer. If you would just like to compare the annotations, press F8.

Tactical training

ChessBase normally always shows the complete notation next to the board. This can be off-putting for training positions because the key move can be seen straight away.

In the "settings" dialog, select "training" from the drop down list under "annotation". When you load games and tactical positions, you will then get a form of annotation which works like the former ChessBase 4.0/DOS: only the move which has just been made will be shown.

Hypertext

Because there is no switching of databases anymore, the accompanying text to the databases is not shown automatically. The user has to call up the "accompanying text" function him or herself (CONTROL-T) to see any text in CB4 hypertext format. Graphics in PCX or IMG format are not shown since ChessBase for Windows only understands BMP files.

CBFresh

Corresponds to the function "physical deletions.

Larger numbers of games which are connected can be deleted by holding down the SHIFT key (in the games list window) and pressing PAGE-DOWN until all the games have been selected. They will then be marked as deleted if you press DELETE. The SHIFT END key combination selects all the games to the end of the database as long as there are less than 1,000 of them.


The new concepts

Database window

All your important databases are represented by icons in the database window. If you wanted to address another database before, you had to use the change database command and the file selection mask. Now you press F12 (for example) to bring the database window into the foreground and then simply double click on the appropriate icon. You can open more than one database at a time.

The icons are sorted according to their type of database.

Board window

The board windows are used for playing and entering games. They combine and link board and notation so that more information is available at a glance. Scrolling up and down the annotation and clicking on moves enable you to quickly jump to specific positions in the game. This simplifies the process of putting in additional commentary later, for example.

You have four diagram sizes (CONTROL-1, CONTROL-2, CONTROL-3 and CONTROL-4) at your disposal, as well as three types of annotation. In the settings dialog (press CONTROL-O) you can preset the size of diagram and type of annotation which will appear automatically when a game is loaded.

Loading and merging

Several games can be merged when they are loaded. ChessBase fits them together in the form of a variation tree. Merging enables you to make very specific comparisons of material. Here is an example of a typical application: Select all the games in an opening key (SHIFT-END), press ENTER to merge the games and then print the ready-made variation tree as a "repertoire".

Merging also has its uses when commenting on games. If the game which is to be commented on is in a board window with full notation, you can take another game from the games list or an opening key and drop it into the notation using the drag & drop technique. There it will be incorporated in the correct position. There is no need to do anything else - the edited comment is ready.

Printing

There has been quite a substantial expansion in the range of printing possibilities. ChessBase now prints games with inset diagrams pre-formatted in several columns. You have all the special chess characters at your disposal.

Being able to print diagrams in several columns is especially useful when producing worksheets with tactical positions. The annotations of the solutions are then produced readily formatted on a separate sheet.

A completely new departure is the "print repertoire" feature. This has been developed for printing complex opening variations and produces tabular annotations with footnotes in the same style as the openings encyclopaedia. In connection with the merging of games, this provides you with a clear way of putting extensive openings material on paper.

Extended searchmask

The important innovations in the search mask are the search for positional motives, material distribution and manoeuvres.

The search for players names has been made more flexible, which is of help for professional use: The searchmask can now perform tasks such as "Find all of Hübners winning games as White against the players Kasparov, Ivanchuk, Short and Timman".

As a rule, the searchmask is called up as a "filter" in the games list of a database. But a search of several databases can also take place from the database window, the result of which is written onto the clipboard. The clipboard also works as a general database.

No file operations necessary in DOS

All the most important maintenance functions of databases now run without your having to worry about the meanings of file names, etc. This has a particularly important practical use when installing opening keys in a database ("technical" menu), which previously required laborious copying and renaming.

There is an additional function which installs an openings disk or the newest ChessBase Magazine onto the hard disk completely automatically.

Finally, databases can be deleted directly from the database window.

Removing duplicate games using the clipboard

The clipboard recognises duplicate games with reasonable accuracy. This has two uses: Firstly, lets say you have collected games from several databases onto the clipboard (e.g. main database, Informator and openings disk). Before you do any more work on these games you might like to remove all the doubles from the clipboard. Secondly, this function also removes doubles from a database: to do this you bring it onto the clipboard, either as a whole or in parts, and then have the duplicate games marked as deleted. Afterwards you can completely remove them from the file via "physical deletions" (in the "technical" menu).

Detail keys: Using keys from the openings disks in the main database

As a rule, the main database will be classified according to the Informator key. But this is unacceptably crude for specific opening variations (e.g. B80, E11, E97). For this reason ChessBase has made it possible to put in a second, more refined opening key, which usually stems from an openings disk.

These "detail keys" must carry the ECO code for which they are valid and must be located in the DETAIL.CKO directory in the program directory.

Example: C:\CBWIN\DETAIL.CKO\D80_D89.CKO and D80_D89.CPO.

They can then be activated from the key list window of the normal Informator key (by pressing Alt-X, for example) and used.

Editing the FritzBooks

Fritz saves its openings repertoire in the "Books". These have a special format which can only be loaded and saved by ChessBase.

The "merge" function is especially practical when working on the FritzBooks. Lets say you are merging all the games played by Lautier with White into a single variation tree and saving it as a Book. As long as you address this new openings book via "change book - free choice/range", Fritz can now play with Lautiers White repertoire.

Import protocol

ChessBase makes a protocol of the copying processes with which you copy games in a database. This way the program can always warn you, for example, when you try to import a specific ChessBase Magazine into the large database twice by mistake.

You will see the contents of the import protocol in the "database info" dialog, which you can call up from the database window.

Tournament index

For documentation purposes ChessBase draws up an alphabetical index of all the tournaments contained in a database. The tournament index is produced in the "database info" dialog from the database window.

Pre-formatted text files

ChessBase supports the RTF format when creating text files. This already contains layout information, so that variations appear in italics, for example. You can use any larger Windows word processing package to carry on working on an RTF file of this kind.

Analysis module and endgame CD

An optional chess program which is specifically designed to provide analysis (an "analysis module") can be bought and activated in the board window. In addition, ChessBase allows direct access to Ken Thompsons Endgame CD's.


Incompatibilities with old ChessBase versions

1.	ChessBase saves the type of a database in an INI file. In order to be able to install automatically from the disk the program must know the type of a database so it can decide what to do with it.

Databases from older versions do not provide this information as there is no INI file. When you include such a database in the database window the icon appears as a simple white square.

To define the type of a database, call up the database info by clicking on [image].

2.	In the old versions of the program the length of a text comment was limited to 240 characters. So if you put in longer text comments these will be cut short in the DOS or Atari programs or error messages will appear on the screen.

3.	In the earlier versions graphics were set in Hypertext in PCX format. ChessBase only understands the Windows-BMP format. However, the graphics can be easily converted using Paintbrush, for example.