Hey everybody, I just got chessbase light, and I was wondering how to start imputing some of my own handwritten lines. I tried making variations on the "new board" option, but all of my variations seem to have dissapeared!

Please help!!!

Please, anyone? I really want to use this to store my openings, but I can't figure it out.

You need to be more specific about your question. Have you tried to enter the variations again? Do you save your work into a pgn file, or an opening book?

If that board is still open, there should be an undo option under edit, maybe that will bring your variations back.

In trying to figure it out I closed the game, but I tried it later and found it, but now it seems to be gone. I want to know how to input and save variations so that I can look at them later for study.

1.You input variations.

2.Click File/Save As... -> you save the file.

You close the program, have a nice cup of coffee outside with friends, then come back and want to add more variations.

3.You open the pgn file. Input further variations

4. Now you click File/Replace.

However, I think using opening books to create and manage opening repertoires is easier.

What do you mean use opening books? Is there a way to do that on the program?

http://www.chessbase.com/download/cblight/index.asp

I just put in all of my variations for a line and clicked save as. It then told me that I have to buy an activation key, then closed the board, clearing all of my work!

Well it sounds pretty self-explanatory to me.

Well how much is the activation key? Because I was under the impression that chessbase light would be free, but apparently to use its features I have to pay money.

Have you heard of google? It's cool.

I am trying google but I can't find how much it costs! Im sorry for wasting your time.

nevermind, I found it, and that is rediculously expensive

The original Chessbase Light, version 6, allowed you to save games, but Chessbase Light 2007 and 2009 do not.  You can buy an activation key directly from Chessbase for 49.99 euros.

By the way, you don't have to pay money only to create an opening repertoire with PGNs. Google SCID and Arena GUI, they are free tools similar to chessbase.

ChessAssistant Light 7 and SCID are all available for download in chess.com's Downloads section.

I can't find Arena in there.

Arena is listed under Playing Programs.  I've updated the links.

OK, Arena wasn't in the database programs but was in playing programs&engines, which is more suitable for it anyway I guess.

[Ah, the horror of editing frequently makes some of the posts obsolete]