Sunday, January 7, 2024

Chess Compass

 Chess Compass

A full set of analysis tools online. If you have a Chromebook or just like working online you should checkout Chess Compass.


It analyses using Stockfish NNUE. The interface is clean but has plenty of features and customization hidden in pop-up menus.


Zen mode hides all the distractions and just displays the board. Explode brings an explosion of arrows as it shows every legal move.
You can analyze, solve problems, study openings, and just play. Import pgn games, or bring them in from Lichess or Chess.com.
It's not free $1.66 a month after a 7 day free trial. Get two months free with a yearly subscription. I think it is well done and could be the online study tool you're looking for.
Please comment below. Let me know what you think of this post or my blog in general.
 

Friday, January 5, 2024

Comparing Analysis (Part3) Lichess

Comparing Analysis (Part3)

Most big websites have an analysis feature. Chess.com and Lichess are two of the most advanced. Here another game given to me on Chess.com. This one ends with an explosive tactical combination! Lichess running Stockfish NNUE analyzed the whole game in seconds and does a pretty great job of annotating it. Still you will learn more by annotating it yourself first. Then refer to the computer analysis and see what else was there that you missed. 

Important: Convert what you find into your own terms of understanding. You are much more likely to remember what you learn. Also review your losses as well as your wins.


Comparing Analysis (Part 2)

 Comparing Analysis (Part 2)

This was an exciting game between two strong players. Much stronger than I am. Still I did my best to analyze the game. Remember the point of these posts isn't that your analysis be perfect. It's a learning exercise. You have to understand in human terms what makes a move good or bad. You can use the computer to aid you in not missing something, but you can't mimic the computers play but it can help you understand in human terms. Please consider becoming a follower of this blog and leave a comment if you find it useful. Also look back through past post to see if something looks interesting there. 

Thank you.

Human Analysis




Computer Analysis by Fritz 19



Here is another game. Computer Analysis by Stockfish Lite on Chess.com. The annotation is very human like, but it still isn't like the players themselves doing it. Remember the most important lesson is in the part you miss in your analysis.


White's first real error is move 10. Ba3? when Nd2 would have brought the pressure on e4. 

Take a look at how sparce Stockfish comments on this game within SCID vs PC interface. This is still useful to spot errors in the game and what you might have missed in your own analysis.

Thursday, January 4, 2024

Comparing Analysis (Part 1)

 Comparing Analysis (Part 1)

This is an amazing game sent to me on Chess.com. First I analyze as best I can. Then the powerful Stockfish analysis is presented here. What I want you to see is that while computers can tell you exactly where the game was won or lost, and give the exact correct moves. They may not lead to a good understanding of the position, and flow of the game. Analyze your games yourself with your best understanding of what is happening. Then use the computer in improve your understanding. That is much better than trying to memorize a great move from the computer that has no meaning to you. 

Human Analysis



Fritz 19 interface running Stockfish 16.

Wednesday, January 3, 2024

Links To Computer Aided Analysis On The Web


Here are some links to websites where you can analyze your games for free. You should review it yourself without a chess engine. Then compare your notes to the computer assessment.

Chess.com

Load or paste your pgn file into the box on the right. The review game feature is awesome in it's clarity for less experienced players

Lichess

A good quality analysis with chart and annotations.

Chessbase

Click Open pgn to load your game. Then click the analysis button to start the engine. Good for doing your own analysis with full annotation features. 

Decode Chess

Amazing AI chess analysis engine. Uses human like explanations and gives a full coverage of what is happening from many angles. 

Computer Aided Analysis Post 

A detailed post about how to analyze with computer programs. This is an important subject so you can expect more on this in the future.

Have a recommendation leave it in the comments. I love to learn.

Tuesday, January 2, 2024

Monsterbase 2023

 Monsterbase 2023 for SCID vs PC 4.86 million games.

Unzip for 3 SCID vs PC files. Put them in the C:\Scid vs PC-4.23\bin\data folder. For more details using SCID vs PC databases see my post https://www.chesstech.info/2019/02/scid-vs-pc-databases-part-3.html

So I took Cassiabase 2022 and added thousands of games from 2023 (TWIC & ChessLife) to make Monsterbase2023 (4.86 million games). I have setup a downloadable zip file. Let me know if you decide to download it and what you think of it.


I just want to add. If you want to buy a commercial database or any other software or anything related to chess look first at https://www.chesshouse.com/. I'm not paid in any way to say this. The Chesshouse has the best prices and service and they support the greater chess community.

Saturday, December 30, 2023

Komodo vs Novag Citrine

Komodo vs Novag

Below is a link to my second video for Chess Tech. Hopefully I can keep improving.


 Komodo vs Novag Citrine

I finally was able to get the analysis from Chess.com to rate the play. Komodo came in at 2450 while the Novag citrine rated 2050. Komodo as you might expect outplayed the Novag in all three phases of the game.