Using SCID to Develop an Opening Repertoire

I'm not sure if this is the same thing but since I started using SCID in Win7 I get a message on startup "Bases directory not found". I close that message and then it seems to work fine but all my bookmarked DataBases had to be re-initialized.

Here is the download page for the latest 4.3

http://scid.sourceforge.net/download.html

I have that as well when I run this program using VMware (a virtual machine) using windows xp, but it works.

 Thanks, but I am using 4.3

The newer versions of SCID (can't recall if just the last one or two) don't include the bases directory; exactly what the message says. You can create it and that message will not pop-up. In the bin folder, within the SCID application directory, create a folder called bases. Next time you start the application you shouldn't get the error message.

Thanks Martin_Stahl. That worked. Not a big deal but annoying.

I've tried placing a bases directory under bin in the scid main directory, and I still get that @#%$!&* message. Are there any other suggestions? Must I reboot? Seems unlikely, its not system software.

Not sure. I haven't had a problem doing that the last couple of times I have placed the program on a new system.

you probably just need to update your version of the program.

Fritzricky,

You fail to mention what version of SCID you are using.

I would suggest you remove the program completly, cold restart then re-install.

I have been sucesssfully using 4.2.2 on WIndows 7 for a while

Fritzricky,

You fail to mention what version of SCID you are using.

I would suggest you remove the program completly, cold restart then re-install.

I have been sucesssfully using 4.2.2 on WIndows 7 for a while

SCID 4.2.2

Create the repertoire file you want.

Open what ever game that has the opening moves you are interested in.

Figgure out how far you want to copy the moves into the rep

click "add include lines"  with the Rep page showing

SCID will copy the moves into the file, click the save button.

GO to the  next game you are interested in. 

trace the moves that match your previous entery, where your original game and the new one split, "click add group" 

SCID will make a change resulting in the common moves dropping into a folder (group).  With the enteries under "add lines" under the group.

on the right side of the rep screen the small empty bar is for short notes.  I usually enter the name or sub name of the opening along with the annotation score like ! ?! = what ever TGA anylisis gives me or what ever book I am studying.

Below the short line is a big box for notes.  You can copy & paste what ever you want from anywhere into this box.   

When copy & paste into the lower box SCID does something wierd.  If you have a database open when you do this for some reason SCID copies the game into clipbase. 

So what I do is go back to the original DB, click on the game you are workin with and click the discard changes button that pops up. Other wise you will end up with multipal files of the same game if you save in the DB

Unfortunatly I have yet to learn of a way to automatically enter moves into the Rep file.  Maybe somebody has words of wisdom.

I find Wikipedia has a huge section on chess openings.    

As with any software there is a learning curve.

Scid 4.2.2

The Rep editor is manual entry and labor intensive. In the comments section you can drag & drop (copy & paste) from just about any word processer.  If you are willing to invest the time it becomes a detailed refference.  Your notes in the Rep can be coppied to the comments of your PGN game

I just recently reached a point where I learned how to work tree masks.  Again labor intensive.  Personally I find the tree move comments good for small notes.  I haven't developed the mask files to the point where I am adding position notes.  SCID 4.2.2 has an opening book ELO2400.bin that I find missing many lines of openings so using the tree mask to study openings may prove limited.

I use Wikipedia as a refference, you can save the page to a word file for offline refference (hyperlinks won't work unlesss you are online).  Information I find usefull can be copy/paste into where ever.  PGN Game comments, Tree mask comments or into what ever line you are working with in the Rep Editor.  Wikipedia doesn't have a comprehensive list of ALL opening lines.

Concerning SCID & opening lines something to remember.  At least with 4.2.2 when the ECO line runs out SCID usually includes the opening name for the next two following moves.

Once you start doing any of the above rember to back up daily at a minimum.

I have been playing with tree masks recently and can see the advantage of using them with a large reference database.   But it seems that the move comments are not handy for large amounts text data.  Brief comments seem to work fine. 

Another limitation  is the ECO book that came with SCID 2.2.  It would be nice to be able to update the ECO book

Both Tree Masks & Repertoire have strengths & weaknesses and can compliment each other

Would you/anyone care to prepare a decent (example) mask for inclusion at ScidvsPC. I've refined the mask feature in a bit, but it's probably still pretty raw, and could do with improvements. I'm planning on putting up a database too.

Do you guys know how to install this on mac? I dl'ed the .zip file but I see no .dmg or .pkg file.