Using the Games database in vote chess (and daily)

I want to get your opinions on how to use the Games database in daily games (specifically vote chess). If you don't want to tell me how you use it because it is a precious secret of the trade, then you can message me or , at least, write a comment on how not to use it.

There are two extremes: 1) you always choose the most popular move. One argument for this is basically that experts are picking that move so it is almost like they are voting in our game. Secondly, with the more popular move, you are also able to use the database further into the game.

2) The opposite extreme is that you pick the move that has the best winning percentage or win% minus loss% regardless of its rarity in the database. This is too extreme, obviously.

Between these extremes, you could require that a certain minimum number of games or wins have been played with this move.

There is also the idea of looking further into the database assuming the opponent makes some move (most popular or most successful) or considering all of the possible moves ever played in that position and seeing what the range of statistics are.

I like to first look at the board and see what I would play without consulting the database and then try to confirm the accuracy of that move with the stats of the database OR I look at which moves in the database make sense to me and see their stats.

I feel like picking the most popular move always can lead to losses. There are some openings where White will win if the popular moves are followed. It can even be that Black will usually win (I think there is a Marshall attack?).

I think if your choose the 2nd option(highest win percentage) you should have a good chess reason for it or else you won’t be getting better and it could lead to more losses because maybe the main variation is bad but there are some lines that a lot of people blunder in but it’s not actually a good line.

zero use personally but very important and interesting topic you're raising Chris

Just started using it for new games. Trying out new opening moves

Will see how it goes

It’s not that important if you study openings a lot though. It’s probably better to learn openings and practice your memorization during the games.

It's important in vote chess because your favorite opening doesn't always get voted (Chris should know lol when's the last time we played the Philidor?). Since chesscom prints the name of the opening, if my opponent (or my teammates!) plays an opening or variation I'm unfamiliar with, I just google it for blogs/videos for the best response and cross-check with the db.

I do not agree with that. I study a bunch of openings by myself and have an understanding of it. It’s better to look at a bunch of variations and understand plans and why the main move is played. Searching for blogs about the Best move and looking at the database does not help you understand the plans you are going to make after the move is played. Whereas, if you make variations on your own, you can create your own opinion based on what variations you have made, and compare them to other voters variations.

I didn't say search for "the" best move. I said (or meant to say), search for blogs/videos that explain the lines and the theory behind them, so that you can form your own opinion what is best, rather than relying solely on number of games or win%. Daily chess is unique because you can study as you go, as opposed to prepping for a tournament. The db is useful to help you narrow your search and decisions. Studying openings often involve use of engine which we are not allowed to do, so seeing how often a move is played and win stats help confirm materials on the Internet.

I basically never look at the database but I think the best way to use it is kind of like what Plucky does where you primarily use what you believe and only look at it to find new ideas that you then try to understand or if you genuinely have no clue what to do in the opening(which usually ends up being me since I don't know anywhere to learn that stuff without having to pay a good bit).