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The ChessBase 9.0 - Reader

The ChessBase 9 Reader is based on the database program ChessBase 9.0 . With the help ofthis program all current chess database formats can be read. Please check whether you haveon your program CD/DVD the text file (readme.doc or liesmich.txt) with the latest notes. You

can access these notes with any text editor.

System requirementsThe reader runs on computers with a Pentium- AMD Processor at 300Mhz or higher. Youneed to have at least 64 MB RAM and Windows 98 , Windows 2000 , Windows XP or Windows

XP Pro . To install, according to which product you have, you will need either a CD drive or aDVD drive. A fast graphics card is necessary to achieve optimal performance and smoothanimation of the 3D-board. To obtain the best from the program, we recommend a systemwith 1 GHz, 256 MB RAM and Windows XP. To use Chess Media System, Windows MediaPlayer 9.0 or better must be installed.

Note: the reader does not work with Windows 95 or Windows NT.

Program InstallationThe CB9-Reader cannot be started directly from the CD/DVD. You must first install the

program on your computers hard disk. To install the reader, proceed as follows:

switch on your computer, start Windows and put the product CD/DVD in theCD/DVD drive of your computer.

the installation program starts automatically. Should it not do so, click in the taskbaron START and choose from the menu Run. Type into the box: d:setup (if need bereplace d : by whatever is the letter designating your CD/DVD drive) and click OK.

in the dialog box, click on the button Install in order to copy the reader on to yourcomputers hard disk.

the installation program offers you the chance to choose between versions in variouslanguages. Choose the language you wish and continue the installation with a singleclick on the Next button ..

the installation will then begin. The program first asks for a pathway. If you do notwish to follow the suggestion of the installation program, you may choose a user-defined path. Click on the button Browse in order to install your user-defined path andthen on Next . We do suggest that you install the program on the recommendedstandard path. Click on Next to finish installing your program.

Uninstalling the programIn conformity to Windows procedures, the reader can be uninstalled at any time by: Start ->Settings -> Control panel -> Software -> Remove .

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1 Opening databasesAfter the reader has been installed on to your system, the database on the CD/DVD isautomatically opened on Start . In the case of older CD/DVDs, the program loads the largestCBH-database from the root directory of the CD/DVD.

You can open databases from anywhere on your computer by using from the menu File Open or Ctrl-O . Databases in ChessBase format have the file extension *.CBH.

Note: After opening a database, in the menus in the list window you will find a series ofindex tabs . The tabs offer different ways of accessing the contents of the database. A singleclick on Games will load the games list, Players opens the index of players or Text loads theintroductory text for the database.

In all list views, you can do a user-defined sort and fix of the columns with the mouse. A clickon the column header sorts the information in that column and a second click on the columnheader reverses it. Example: a click on White sorts the column alphabetically, and a secondclick reverses the process.

Tip: a right click on the column header calls up a context menu. With it you, the user, define the display of thecolumn.

1.1 Database textsThe data format allows you to save texts. When a database is opened, a Database text isautomatically opened. In it you will find information and notes concerning the contents of thedatabase. Within the text there are links to games and positions, which are printed in green.You will certainly know the principle from your Internet browser.

You call up the relevant games or positions by clicking on the link.

For simple navigation through the database, you have at the bottom of the screen three buttonsat your disposal.

Using the buttons Back and Forward , you can scroll through the text, or restart texts youhave already loaded. Start allows you to return to the introductory text for the database.

Tip: as well as its introductory text, a database may contain several texts. In the games list (click on Games) alltexts are shown as entries in the list. A click on the column header Result will bring the texts together in thelist.

1.2 Loadin g and replaying games

A single click on the tab Games loads the game list for the database. Games are loaded intothe board window by a double click on an entry in the games list. There are various ways to

replay the game:

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1.2.1 Playing through a game with keyboard commandsThe arrow keys (right, left, up and down) move the cursor through the game score. At thesame time the board displays the corresponding position.

1.2.2 Playing through a game with the buttons under the board

Righ t cli ck on the board -> Board design opens a dialogue which allows you to choose yoursettings. Start the option Replay arrows below board . The toolbar (reached via Boardwin dow -> View -> Toolbars ) contains seven buttons with arrows for the purpose of movingaround the game. The buttons have the following meanings:

go to the start of the game go back one move take back the last move and overwrite it without query, when a new move is entered go forward one move go to the end of the game / variation

The two green arrows on the left and right allow you to call up the games you have loaded uptill then. This option is immensely useful. During a working session, you can very quicklychange from one game to another without losing the game you have just loaded or entered.The principle works along the lines of an Internet browser, where you can also navigate

between the latest and earlier pages by pressing a button.

2 Important tabs in the start screen

2.1 Game listThe Game list contains a list of all texts, games or parts of games with entries (insofar as theyare available) for: players (title for a text), tournament, ECO openings code, date, result,number of moves, etc. A Right cli ck in th e li st window -> L ist F ormat gives you the optionof setting up your own user-defined version of the list window.

Tip: If you pause for a moment or two with the mouse over an entry in the list, a tool-tip will appear withuseful extra information..

Within a game list, there are other optional designations: e.g. the abbreviation P stands for position, meaning that the list entry is a position, not a full game.

2.2 PlayersThe Player index lists all the players represented in the database, including their games.Under the player list there is an Entry line. As soon as you enter the first letters, you move tothat position in the list. In the right hand pane, there is a list of all that players games andtournaments. Right click on the players name in the left hand pane -> Search whi te games etc. sorts the games in the list. A click on the column header sorts, e.g. by name, number ofgames, Elo score, photo, etc.

2.3 Tournaments

The Tournament index functions in the same way as the player index. By using the entry line,you can quickly access the desired tournament. All column headings can be reconfigured asyou wish and are used to sort the information in the columns. The button Edit starts the

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process of editing tournament data. All the games in the index will have their data entriesappropriately changed.

2.4 Annotator

Contains the index of the Annotators. Using the entry line quickly takes you to the

commentator you were looking for and the right hand pane lists the games annotated. Allcolumn headings can be reconfigured as you wish and are used to sort the information in thecolumns. In the Sour ce index , the games are listed according to where they came from.

2.5 Teams

Lists all entries of information about teams, including players and games.

2.6 OpeningsThe openings index is similar to Windows-Explorer. ChessBase databases are generallyspeaking already classified according to a key. A click on an entry opens the openings keyand shows the contents of the level below it. In the bottom part of the window, a game listappears with those games played in the specified variation.

2.7 Them es, Tactic, Strategy, End gam esIndexes for the classification of various chess criteria. Using the predefined classification, youcan rapidly access specific games whenever a key is present.

3 Functions in listsRight click with the mouse -> Li st Format opens a menu which allows various options in thegames lists. Column sorting offers lots of extra information. Right clicking a column header

calls up a context menu allowing you to configure the columns in a list. Individual headingscan be moved to a different position within a list with the mouse. Within the lists Tool-tipsgive all sorts of extra information.

4 The board windowIn the board window, you can replay games you have loaded on the graphical chessboard. Tothe right of the board window is the notation window showing the game score. The Notationwindow has at the top five tabs , by means of which you can switch between various forms ofnotation, an openings book and the reference pane:

Notation: the normal chess notation in running text. Suited for the display ofunannotated or normally annotated games.

Table: notation of a branching variation in table form. Helpful in gaining an overviewof branching variations, a tree of different games or a very fully annotated game withvariations.

Training: notation for training purposes, this shows only the last move which was played.

Score sheet: switches to the form of a traditional score sheet, well known to you fromtournaments and team matches.

Openi ngs book: this pane shows a book. A book is a database with information about

numerous games and statistics for all the variations. An openings book has the fileextension *.CTG. Openings books are often present when special opening systems areunder discussion.

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Tip: the font size for notation and book can be set separately and independently. Right click in Notationwindow -> Choose Font calls up the dialogue for setting the font.

Tip: Tools -> Options -> Notation opens a dialogue for setting the notation. It allows you to choose betweenvarious forms of notation..

4.1 Analys in g wi th chess enginesIn the board window, chess engines may be used for analysis. Included in many training CDsis the engine Crafty by Prof. Robert Hyatt. The analysis engines calculate and evaluate eitherthe current position or one you have entered previously.Board win dow -> Engine -> Add Ki bitzer accesses the dialogue with the available analysisengines. The one you choose is loaded into the engine window. An even simpler way ofcalling up engines is by a mouse click on the icons at the top of the screen . A right click inthe engine window allows the user to configure the analysis.

4.2 Show threatsThere is in fact a chess engine embedded in the board win dow. It points out threats in thecurrent position by means of coloured markings on the board. This function is activated via

Help -> Threat as arrow or Create threat as arrow . The current direct threat is shown on the board as an orange arrow. The option exists to show by means of a blue arrow the movewhich would cause the most unpleasant threat. This will not always be the strongest move, butit is helpful in better understanding tactical motifs.

5 Searches in databases

In a database, you can search for specific games. By using the search mask, you set theconditions for filtering and searching in the database. The options available in the search maskare extremely complex and cannot be presented in full in this introductory text.

In the game list the search mask is started by Ctrl-F .

Searches can be carried out according to

information about the games (players, results, etc.) medals (special annotations) board position (position or elements of the position) annotations (evaluations, text commentary, special annotations) material (distributions of material) manoeuvres (single move or multiple move manoeuvre by pieces)

Note: the search criteria may be combined..

5.1 Game data

In searching for Player names under White or Black, use the correct spelling with a capitalletter at the beginning. Inputting part of the name will also find the players. Accented letters

such as ,, etc. are not supported and will not give you a result.Tip: an entry in the entry line of the Player index also filters players whose name starts with a small letter.

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5.2 Medals

Finds games which have been awarded a medal.

5.3 Posit ion

A search for games with a specific position on the board, or on part of the board. The searchmask distinguishes between

Look for board For exact criteria: which squares should be occupied by which pieces.

Or board For loose criteria. Exclude board For exact criteria: which squares should not be occupied by

which pieces.

Tip: Whenever you start a new search, always begin by clicking on the button Reset in order to clear out anyold search criteria.

5.4 Annotat ions

This is the search mask used to find text (Text1, Text2), Symbols (!,?, +-, etc.), positions(parts of games, which do not commence at the opening position), deleted games (gameswhich have been marked for deletion) and special annotations.

5.5 Material

Search mask used to find specific distributions of material.

5.6 Manoeuvres

Search mask used to find manoeuvres by pieces.

Note: Searches can also be carried out from the player or tournament index. A single click onthe button Filter activates the search mask. Be aware, however, that in this case the search isonly carried out on the contents which have been selected. That means that the search islimited to a part of the database.

6 Chess Media SystemThe reader supports the Chess Media System . The "Chess Media System " allows you to playwithin the program videos, in which chess lectures are embedded. What is special is that whathappens on the graphical chessboard is absolutely synchronised with the video as it plays.This means that the program can be used to present chess lessons and chess training in themost realistic way possible. Chess Media files have the extension *.wmv and are loaded intothe board window by File Open Chess Media File . You activate the Chess Media System in the board window via Wi ndow -> Panes -> Chess Media System .

At the bottom of the Audio/Video window, there is small toolbar to enable you to control thesystem.

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Open This is what you use to open files in the Windows Media Player format. Thefiles have the file extension *.wmv.

Play Plays a media file which you have loaded.

Stop Stops a presentation on the Chess Media System.

To star t Returns to the beginning of the presentation.

By using the slider next to the toolbar you can move to any specific point within the presentation. What is happening on the graphical chessboard is automatically synchronised tothe lecture.

Clicking on Pause stops the lecture. A second click on Pause continues from where you leftoff.

Note: In order for the "Chess Media System" to work, it is necessary to have Windows Media Player 9. 0 orhigher installed.

7 Program settingsUnder Tools -> Options there is the chance to configure the programs most importantsettings. Via the heading Engines you can set the default engine and activate/deactivateHEUMAS, which gives help when entering games via the board window. According to thechosen depth HEUMAS suggests moves while you are entering games. Language defineswhich languages are to be shown in text commentary.