The ChessBase 9.

0 - Reader
The ChessBase 9 Reader is based on the database program ChessBase 9.0. With the help of
this program all current chess database formats can be read. Please check whether you have
on 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 requirements
The reader runs on computers with a Pentium- AMD Processor at 300Mhz or higher. You
need 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 a
DVD drive. A fast graphics card is necessary to achieve optimal performance and smooth
animation of the 3D-board. To obtain the best from the program, we recommend a system
with 1 GHz, 256 MB RAM and Windows XP. To use Chess Media System, Windows Media
Player 9.0 or better must be installed.
Note: the reader does not work with Windows 95 or Windows NT.

Program Installation
The 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 the
CD/DVD drive of your computer.

the installation program starts automatically. Should it not do so, click in the taskbar
on START and choose from the menu Run. Type into the box: d:setup (if need be
replace 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 your
computers hard disk.

the installation program offers you the chance to choose between versions in various
languages. Choose the language you wish and continue the installation with a single
click on the Next button..

the installation will then begin. The program first asks for a pathway. If you do not
wish to follow the suggestion of the installation program, you may choose a userdefined path. Click on the button Browse in order to install your user-defined path and
then on Next. We do suggest that you install the program on the recommended
standard path. Click on Next to finish installing your program.

Uninstalling the program

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

1 Opening databases
After the reader has been installed on to your system, the database on the CD/DVD is
automatically opened on Start. In the case of older CD/DVDs, the program loads the largest
CBH-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 of
index tabs. The tabs offer different ways of accessing the contents of the database. A single
click on Games will load the games list, Players opens the index of players or Text loads the
introductory text for the database.

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

1.1 Database texts

The data format allows you to save texts. When a database is opened, a Database text is
automatically opened. In it you will find information and notes concerning the contents of the
database. 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 buttons
at your disposal.

Using the buttons Back and Forward, you can scroll through the text, or restart texts you
have 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) all
texts are shown as entries in the list. A click on the column header Result will bring the texts together in the
list.

1.2 Loading and replaying games

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

1.2.1 Playing through a game with keyboard commands

The arrow keys (right, left, up and down) move the cursor through the game score. At the
same time the board displays the corresponding position.
1.2.2 Playing through a game with the buttons under the board
Right click on the board -> Board design opens a dialogue which allows you to choose your
settings. Start the option Replay arrows below board. The toolbar (reached via Board
window -> View -> Toolbars) contains seven buttons with arrows for the purpose of moving
around 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 up
till then. This option is immensely useful. During a working session, you can very quickly
change 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 list
The Game list contains a list of all texts, games or parts of games with entries (insofar as they
are available) for: players (title for a text), tournament, ECO openings code, date, result,
number of moves, etc. A Right click in the list window -> List Format gives you the option
of 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 with
useful 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 Players
The 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 to
that position in the list. In the right hand pane, there is a list of all that players games and
tournaments. Right click on the players name in the left hand pane -> Search white games
etc. sorts the games in the list. A click on the column header sorts, e.g. by name, number of
games, 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 as
you 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 entries
appropriately 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. All
column headings can be reconfigured as you wish and are used to sort the information in the
columns. In the Source 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 Openings
The openings index is similar to Windows-Explorer. ChessBase databases are generally
speaking already classified according to a key. A click on an entry opens the openings key
and shows the contents of the level below it. In the bottom part of the window, a game list
appears with those games played in the specified variation.
2.7 Themes, Tactic, Strategy, Endgames
Indexes for the classification of various chess criteria. Using the predefined classification, you
can rapidly access specific games whenever a key is present.

3 Functions in lists
Right click with the mouse -> List Format opens a menu which allows various options in the
games 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 headings
can be moved to a different position within a list with the mouse. Within the lists Tool-tips
give all sorts of extra information.

4 The board window

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

Notation: the normal chess notation in running text. Suited for the display of
unannotated or normally annotated games.
Table: notation of a branching variation in table form. Helpful in gaining an overview
of branching variations, a tree of different games or a very fully annotated game with
variations.
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 from
tournaments and team matches.
Openings 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 file
extension *.CTG. Openings books are often present when special opening systems are
under discussion.
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Tip: the font size for notation and book can be set separately and independently. Right click in Notation
window -> 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 between
various forms of notation..

4.1 Analysing with chess engines

In the board window, chess engines may be used for analysis. Included in many training CDs
is the engine Crafty by Prof. Robert Hyatt. The analysis engines calculate and evaluate either
the current position or one you have entered previously.
Board window -> Engine -> Add Kibitzer accesses the dialogue with the available analysis
engines. The one you choose is loaded into the engine window. An even simpler way of
calling up engines is by a mouse click on the icons at the top of the screen . A right click in
the engine window allows the user to configure the analysis.
4.2 Show threats
There is in fact a chess engine embedded in the board window. It points out threats in the
current 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 move
which would cause the most unpleasant threat. This will not always be the strongest move, but
it 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 the
conditions for filtering and searching in the database. The options available in the search mask
are 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 capital
letter 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.

5.2 Medals
Finds games which have been awarded a medal.
5.3 Position
A search for games with a specific position on the board, or on part of the board. The search
mask distinguishes between

Look for board

pieces.
Or board
Exclude board
which pieces.

For exact criteria: which squares should be occupied by which

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

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

5.4 Annotations
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 (games
which 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 on
the button Filter activates the search mask. Be aware, however, that in this case the search is
only carried out on the contents which have been selected. That means that the search is
limited to a part of the database.

6 Chess Media System

The reader supports the Chess Media System. The "Chess Media System " allows you to play
within the program videos, in which chess lectures are embedded. What is special is that what
happens 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 the
most realistic way possible. Chess Media files have the extension *.wmv and are loaded into
the board window by File Open Chess Media File. You activate the Chess Media System
in the board window via Window -> Panes -> Chess Media System.
At the bottom of the Audio/Video window, there is small toolbar to enable you to control the
system.

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

Play Plays a media file which you have loaded.

Stop Stops a presentation on the Chess Media System.

To start 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 to
the lecture.
Clicking on Pause stops the lecture. A second click on Pause continues from where you left
off.
Note: In order for the "Chess Media System" to work, it is necessary to have Windows Media Player 9.0 or
higher installed.

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