By John Watson
ChessBase 18: Should You Upgrade?
When considering the most impactful changes in chess history, the widespread availability of powerful chess engines and the boom of online chess are definitely top contenders. However, the significance of chess database programs like ChessBase should not be overlooked. These programs provide instant access to a vast collection of chess games, both historical and contemporary, and serve as invaluable tools for players to archive and study their own games.
The influence of database programs has been amplified by integrated engines for in-depth position analysis and the ability to easily share analysis globally. These capabilities have transformed chess, and they represent only a portion of what ChessBase, the preferred database for many tournament players, can accomplish.
Chess research and preparation have seen significant advancements thanks to ChessBase`s sophisticated search functions. Chess publishing has also been revolutionized with features like error detection and direct export options for publishing software, websites, emails, and more.
Although I only began using ChessBase seriously in the mid-1990s, it has since become integral to my teaching, writing, and preparation. I consistently encourage my students to adopt it, and I`m not aware of any serious over-the-board players who don`t use it. While this might not apply to those who play solely online, I believe that most readers of chess publications likely own a copy. Many users, myself included, haven`t mastered all of the program`s specialized features but have become proficient in specific areas. For instance, I still utilize custom opening keys, a less common practice today, but one that aligns perfectly with my research and writing.
Providing a comprehensive `review` of a program as complex as ChessBase 18, detailing and evaluating every function, is impractical. Therefore, I will focus on some of the recent and new features, offering general observations. The program itself includes comprehensive online help, and numerous ChessBase tutorials are available on platforms like YouTube, catering to users of all skill levels.
According to Matthias Wuellenweber, ChessBase CEO and co-founder, many of ChessBase 18`s new features emphasize player preparation. This includes analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, and styles of any player—whether a past champion, a future opponent, or yourself. The `Style Report` feature, for example, analyzes a player`s games to create a strategic profile. It offers general style observations, such as a tendency to `keep queens on` or `attack the king,` alongside scored evaluations in categories like `Theoretical Knowledge,` `Tenacity,` `Aggressiveness,` `Risk,` and `Positional Play.`
When I analyzed my own games from my early years up to about 20 years ago, the style report assessed me as highly aggressive and off-the-charts in risk-taking. However, a separate analysis of my online rapid games from the last five years showed significantly reduced aggressiveness and risk scores, with a substantial increase in `positional play.` This assessment seems accurate, reflecting my shift towards a more cautious approach with age.
Following the stylistic summaries, the program offers 30 strategic `themes` to explore. It categorizes and filters games based on themes like `king`s attack,` `sacrifice,` `closed position,` `space advantage,` `weak pawns,` `backward pawns,` `fianchetto,` and `strong knight/bishop,` separating games played as White and Black.
For each thematic list, users can review individual games. This can help identify an opponent`s tendencies and familiarize oneself with their positional preferences. More importantly, with dedicated effort, this feature can highlight areas in your own game that need improvement, allowing for adjustments to study routines.
The `Error Report,` while slower to generate than the Style Report and simpler in output, is another valuable feature. For any set of games, it provides a `Blunder ELO,` useful for comparison against a player`s actual ELO, and a blunder magnitude distribution. These metrics are benchmarked against a large sample of average GMs for reliability. The report includes charts assessing factors such as `Magnitude of Errors vs. Complexity,` `Impact of Errors on Result,` and `Blunder Context` (game phase, player under attack, etc.).
Testing this feature on my games and student games proved insightful, revealing patterns in error occurrence. I tend to make fewer errors than the average GM in advantageous positions but more frequently when at a disadvantage, especially when errors can still influence the game`s outcome. My `tenacity` scores, once high, have also decreased noticeably over time.
Another noteworthy feature, initially introduced in ChessBase 17 but new to me, is the `Set Beauty` function. By selecting this option on any game database list, ChessBase assigns beauty icons (0 to 3) to each game based on its sacrificial and tactical content. I found it enjoyable to use this on recent tournament databases to discover exciting games. While it`s quick for small personal databases, it can take hours for databases with millions of games.
A key point: the beauty search only works on databases in the newer .2cbh format (CB17 onwards). For older .cbh databases, you can create a new .2cbh database, copy your games into it, and then use `Set Beauty.` You might be surprised to find your games are more interesting and your ideas more creative than you thought!
ChessBase 18 includes numerous other enhancements, some functional, others focused on convenience and efficiency. The powerful remote engines offered by ChessBase will appeal to many users. Unlike previous cloud engines, ChessBase 18 provides direct remote access to engines of varying speeds within the engine dialog.
The base tier of remote engines is free for premium account holders. For faster speeds, `ducats` can be purchased (10 ducats for one euro) to rent engine time by the minute or hour. Users of older ChessBase editions (or other UCI engine programs) can also download a remote access plugin from remoteengine.chessbase.com.
Preparing for online opponents is streamlined in CB18. Instead of manually searching websites and downloading .pgn files, you can directly access and download games from Lichess and Chess.com via ChessBase. If an opponent`s online username is unknown, the program can attempt to find it. Even if unsuccessful, you might discover games by players with similar styles, which can still be beneficial.
The new ChessBase mobile app, accessible via browser at app.chessbase.com and soon as a standalone mobile app, is another relevant addition. Sharing annotated games is simplified with QR codes generated in CB18, which recipients can open in the mobile app—a more convenient method than managing and emailing databases. These new features demonstrate ChessBase`s commitment to keeping pace with technological advancements.
MegaBase 2025, a comprehensive database by ChessBase with over 11 million games, is a valuable companion product. While alternative databases exist, MegaBase 2025 offers unique advantages. It includes over 120,000 master-annotated games not found elsewhere. The price includes a one-year update service providing roughly 5,000 weekly games. A `player lexicon` with 1.4 million names and 44,000 photos (compatible with CB16-CB18) is also included. While a luxury for budget-conscious users, MegaBase 2025 is likely desirable for most ChessBase users.
ChessBase 18 is available in various packages at different price points, from the program-only version (with online database access) to the premium package, which includes Mega Database 2025, ChessBase Magazine, ChessBase Correspondence Database, and ducats for premium features like high-speed engine rentals.
For CB17 owners, upgrading to CB18 costs 150 euros on the ChessBase website, making subsequent upgrades less daunting than the initial purchase. I believe ChessBase is essential for serious players and tournament regulars. While upgrading with every release isn`t necessary, the appealing features in each new version justify upgrading every few iterations. ChessBase 18`s player preparation tools, for both opponent analysis and self-assessment, and its integrated online game search are particularly compelling.
While casual online players may not require such a powerful tool, anyone dedicated to chess improvement will significantly benefit from ChessBase 18. It can accelerate your progress and ensure you remain competitive against opponents who are likely using ChessBase for their own preparation.
Elton Marrow