Torr on Survey
Part 2. Use a database !

[The survey form] [1. The Mission] [2. Use a Database !] [3. Devote Yourself !] [4. Sour Losers] [5. Flexible concentration] [6. Holistic Chess] [7. Why move at all ?] [8. The Tutorr's 15 Guidelines] [9. Feedback page] [10. Downloads]


Technical stuff
When it comes to the use of strong chess-playing programs such as Fritz5.32 or the like, there seem to be no significant differences between the experts and the newbies (Table 2).
When it comes to the use of the internet clubs there are no significant differences (Table 3). Remembering that the survey was scored on-line on a PC, these figures may not come as a big surprise and may not be representative of all chessplayers alike (similar arguments should be kept in mind throughout this survey). However, when it comes to the regular use of a database program, such as Chessbase 7.0, there is a clear correlation between rating and usage (Table 4). As many as 72 % of the experts use a database often, as compared to 35 % for those rated below 1600 (c.f. Table 4).

So we have already found a first habit of the expert:

use a chess database - and use it often !

This puts the 'Man + machine' matches (e.g. Kasparov versus Topalov) into a somewhat different light, right ? We experience that the very top players of the world (e.g. Kasparov) advocates the use of databases. Well, they ought to know, don't they ? They use them !

Furthermore, we get all the top-events analyzed, commented on and brought to us in database files like via Mig and TWIC. There's probably a reason for that. Think about it.

Personally, I increased my playing strength several-fold using chessbase for a few months, shaping up from being a hopeless patzer to a regular one, I guess, so yes, a database is the dream for the little man too. In particular the little man with ambitions to improve his chess.

Mig: A few questions from fans here. After Hoogovens you talked a lot about your extensive work with PC chess programs in your preparation, which program do you use?
Kasparov: Well, there are many strong programs and for what I do they are more or less the same really. I use ChessBase 7 and it comes with some programs, Fritz and Junior and I use those. Not much difference. Junior is quite strong. There are others, some are included with ChessBase.

From Mig article 97 (20/2-99)

 

Players that use a database often

Rated below 1600
Often use of database: rating sub-1600

Rated above 2400
Often use of database: rating above 2400


Fritz 5.32 from Chessbase


Deep understanding
of at least one opening
1. unimportant - 4. very important

rating sub-1600
Q11. Rating sub-1600


rating above 2400
Q11. Rating above 2400


TWIC at The London Chess Centre

Study the openings and understand them
Suppose you have your database at hand, now, what would you do with it ? Well, the survey data suggests that you should study chess openings and get a deep understanding of them. When you consider the figures given in Tables 5-7 , Tables 8-10, and Tables 11-12 then ask yourself whether it's just a coincidence how increasing rating correlates with increasing understanding of the openings or if it is a fact that reflects some important hindsights. I find the figues very telling, indeed, and I think they correborate well with the every day experiences over the board/screen - that you'd better be prepared, especially for the openings.

Study the openings - understand them deeply

This is the second habit of the experts. Besides, the higher number of openings you understand and master, the higher rating you will probably obtain (Table 6). The data clearly demonstrate that the experts master significantly more openings than the weaker players.

Again, we can reframe a commen experience: The frustration about all the books on openings on the bookstore shelves. There are so many of them. What do they signify ? Knowledge ! - the knowledge of the experts.  I think that, by now, you will agree to use the opening books wisely in your copy-cat mission, that is, if you still want to improve your chess.


The next article will deal with the question of devotion (Part 3). 

Click here fore the next article on the survey results !




Chessbase
Disclaimer The data presented here and in the following articles can be analyzed and concluded upon in many ways (remember that the survey was scored on-line, and that the data may not be representative of all chessplayers alike). The conclusions presented here are mine entirely. Feel free to disagree, to have your own interpretations and to impove your chess in the manner that suits you. The full material of data will be published in the last article of this series.  If you have questions prior to this, or other comments, feel free to mail me on  torr@privat.dk

Copyright The contents on this page (graphical, textual) may not be reproduced without permission from the author. On citations or similar use, please credit the author Dr. Tor Rønnow, Denmark (mail:  torr@privat.dk).