A TALLY OF DATABASE-USERS & NON-USERS

I do not use a database when I play, I personally think it limits my ingenuity later in the game, although using it in the beginning to respond to unforseen opening lines might be useful.

Honest, It is there, To each is own!..........Sorry if I offended the integrity of your game......lol

As of 9/27/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 80

Indeed!

Good work, Roy.

If there's an Accelerated Sicilian Defence, let's hope the front page survey will be the Accelerated Tally. :))

I am a non-user.

A friend of mine has suggested a get a chess engine, like Fritz, to help me analyze my games afterwards to see what mistakes I made.  I have not gotten that yet.

I have a couple of chess books, but I have read only a few pages of each.  Earlier this year, my friend also suggested my taking online interactive lessons on a website, and I have taken some, but I have not finished them.

I just play my games and learn mostly just from the mistakes I make.

Someday, I will get around to learning more from books, and other sources, and also learn some openings.  But for now, I will just play my games and learn that way.  :-)

George

As of 9/28/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 81

As of 9/29/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 81

This is a really good thread - especially now that it's on the front page as a survey.  If someone decides not to use a database, analysis board etc then that's fine if they do so knowing they're allowed to but I feel some sympathy for those who may not because they think it's not allowed.  

The more we can spread an understanding of the way the site works the better.

i don´t use databases.

As of 9/29/08:

Users - 73, Non-Users - 82

I use chess.com's opening book in most of my games unless it's a line I already am fairly confident in.

I don't always choose the move with the best "stats" but the more I feel the most comfortable with.  I find Opening Explorer a great learning tool.

I consult a database and see what it is playable for me ... many grandmaster parties, I  'dont see the key where they want to go? but on chess.com when I go to the party, I can not use chess-engine or database (my database is still in DOS format °

I use the database only for ideas.

It's correspondence chess.  The rules for correspondence chess go back long before there was an internet or chess engines.  Those rules not only allow, but expect the use of books and (now) databases.  I use them, and expect my opponent to use them as well.

Chess engines, however, are forbidden and whoever uses them to analyze an ongoing game or position is cheating.  I do not use them and I expect my opponent not to use engines either.

BTW, "live chess" is not correspondence chess.  Live chess prohibits books, databases, etc., as well as engines.  Their use in live chess is cheating.

So do not cheat by using engines, but also do not cheat yourself out of the resources available to you when you play correspondence chess here or on any other chess site.  Obtain a library on openings, tactics, endgame theory, etc., and use them.  Get databases and learn how to use them.  You are not cheating, you are playing correspondence chess.

As of 9/29/08:

Users - 76, Non-Users - 82

I can't be bothered to read 37 pages. Basically I don't think you should use databases ETC, DURING GAMES. I don't really class Chess.com as correspondence chess. But pre or post use of databases is completely fine. This arguement will continue for a while, this is just my opinion. Mr Nilbert Rafer sign me up for Non-users, please.

Isn't this topic covered by now?

We have those who use databases, books etc. during gameplay - And are doing so completely in compliance with the rules! And we have those who choose not to use such tools even if it's allowed...

Amongst these two groups, on both sides, there seems too be two subgroups: One who won't say anything bad or pass judgement on the other side - and one who do so directly and bluntly or indirectly and maybee a little by mistake...

Wouldn't this be a good place to shake hands and agree that those who use the tools have the right to do so since they are within the rules of chess.com AND that they enjoy the game this way... And further on that those who choose not to use the tools do so because they prefer the game this way AND should not be looked down on for this...

Just a thought :-)

I don't use them...mostly because I feel that doesn't help me to improve.

As of 9/29/08:

Users - 76, Non-Users - 83

As of 9/29/08:

Users - 76, Non-Users - 84