some people have been asking, where is the Opening Explorer?  here is the answer:

first off, we are going to be calling it the GAME Explorer, as it will do much more than look at openings (though it will do that too).

secondly, we have been EXTREMELY ambitious :)  we are mostly done with the code, but we hit a snag about 7 days back that we were able to resolve only recently. see, this database is going to be more than 500GB large :( we can't exactly combine that with the main Chess.com database which is much smaller. so we have to interact with 2 databases, which is crazy hard to do. 

thirdly, we are preparing to add a TON of new features. the database will feature millions of games and you will be able to look at master games, your own games, other player's games, etc. 

so, we're still 2-3 weeks away from launching because we have to order a huge new server tomorrow (which will cost probably $7,000 :(((( ) and then bug test once it arrives. it's going to be wild, but when we're done, it's going to be pretty darn amazing. it won't have all the bells and whistles on day 1, but you will hopefully be very impressed with how easy and fast it is to use. 

i'm super excited, but we all have to be a little bit patient :) 

 

Thanks for the update -- great keeping us in the loop!

Will it be a premium feature?

This will be a great feature.  A special thanks to Erik and the staff for working so hard on this.

will some of the features be offered to free members?

Fantastic!  Definitely can't complain about more features. :)

You have my support! 

grensley wrote: will some of the features be offered to free members?

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 some, but limited.

Will you use the Chess.com messenger the day you launch it so we know when it is here

RedSoxpawn wrote:

Will you use the Chess.com messenger the day you launch it so we know when it is here

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 absolutely! :)

thanks

I'm flippin' pumped!  This sounds amazing!!!!!

GREAT!

thanks eric, this sort of stuff is really appreciated. Its for this reason i signed up for premium membership (and encourage others to do so!)

I will blame all of my losses between now and then on not having the GAME explorer. Once it is released, I don't know what I'll blame my losses on, ideas are welcome.

Loomis, you can use the "I had one too many Beers today" excuse.

I use the I've had 10 too many beers excuse all the time.  No-one ever let's me off the hook though :-)

On a more serious note.

This looks like a great addition to the features on this site and as someone has already said was one, of the many factors, that convinced me to take premium membership and make a small contribution to the work the guys are doing.

Erik--as an IT project manager and programmer, I'm blown away with the advancements your staff have made since I joined in November '07. The 'Game Explorer' feature is a huge feature to undertake behind the code, data, and hardware requirements—the logistics are staggering. Keep up the great (and AMAZING) work. Signed, One Patient/Ecstatic User

thank you all! i am SOOOO excited about this feature.

VERY niceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee