Chessbase VS Chessbase reader

Hello everybody,

Someone Know the differences beetween Chessbase 14 and Chessbase Reader 2017?

Wich functionnality are missing on the reader?

I may be mistaken, but I don't think these two are competing products (especially since they are from the same site). The chessbase reader is simply a different tool, which focuses on reading formats of chess. I personally write this off as useless. It's a company making proprietary services and then selling a program to unravel what doesn't need to be unraveled if they just used common formats already existing.

Chessbase 14 is another money grabbing software program, but it looks like it may have some useful features of actual analysis of games if you don't "buy into" all the overpriced DVD stuff.

I guess the question is how useful the analysis is for 122 USD. I might pay 30 USD from what I see, but 122 is a major pass.

Okay. Thanks but i still don't understand what are the differences beetween the 2 softwares.

One looks like it is for reading, the other is for analyzing.

It's like if you were learning Arabic or an Asian language that doesn't use English letters, you would need a reader.

However, if you want to know about the grammar and translate the words you would need another program. That is how I see the differences.

Chessbase is the actual program. Chessbase reader is a freebie stripped down version. You get a taste of what the real one is like, plus you can read their files. Chessbase is not cheap, but it is used by the vast number of pros, from what I am told. I have Chessbase 11 and haven't updated because of the price, but I use it every day (I am definitely not a pro); terrific program. Using CB's own proprietary format allows CB to have more functionality within a database than simply using PGN would permit. HTH

Chessbase is an incredibly useful piece of software that allows you to work with chess databases, including your own. It allows analyzing games, finding games with similar openings, positions, content (like sacrifices), endgames, etc. I use it very close to daily, and my rating is hardly stratospheric.

There are free alternatives for those who care to go that route. SCID vs PC is one such alternative. I personally don't care for it. Many people like it.

Chessbase reader exists primarily as a method of using various DVDs produced by Chessbase on openings, etc. For example, there is a DVD on the London System by Simon Williams. It mixes a small database of analyzed games with video, test questions, etc. Chessbase reader will allow you to use the contents of that DVD without buying Chessbase.

Chessbase can be bought for as little as 100$ USA, or 99.90 Euros. It comes without a database at that price, but data can be had at places like This Week In Chess (TWIC).

https://shop.chessbase.com/en/products/chessbase14_download

As stated, I use it almost everyday, and it has been money very well spent. But that doesn't mean everyone would find it so, or that even most people would find it so. Another factor to consider is that if the past is any indication, a new version will be coming out this fall.

You can actually arrange chess media windows in the Reader in ways that you cannot do in the latest version of their flagship product, which I think is astonishing.

all the answers here didnt answer OP's question

@MerryEar, maybe that's because no one named OP asked a question. Are you sure you're in the right group?

OP- Original Poster

Ah. OK. Thanks.

@leraffio

Chessbase Reader 2017 is a freeware that only allows viewing of chess databases, no creating or analyzing features are present on this software. Chessbase 14 is also a reader, and is also capable of analyzing, arranging and creating game databases. Since it has this wide range of features as oppose to a freeware version, it comes with a price - which is depending on someones taste if it can be expensive, cheap enough, or well paid product.

you will mostly see the difference when you both installed the two, compare the options available, and see how you can use the tools. For chessbase reader 2017 though, you can load databases created in chessbase format. Which means, even if you can't buy any stuff from chessbase, then at least you can still use their database format by installing the freeware program.

One of the reason they might be doing this is to produce more advertisement for their product. You will notice that the freeware version has some sort of advertisement while using the program (in the upper right portion of the window). Encouraging you to buy the paid version of the product, and introducing their other premium products.

In a nutshell, chessbase reader is a freeware version with very limited features and an embedded advertisements for their products. chessbase paid version is a feature-rich, and no ads software.

I personally used the paid version once, but since I don't have it personally, I can't navigate or experiment yet on that paid version (I just use it from my friend who purchased it).

Hope that one gives concise details about your question.

When you go on their website, they will provide you a downloadable link for this freeware version, but the examples you're going to see from their screenshots are coming from the paid version. So you really need to use that program yourself to see the appearance of the program. On the other hand, the paid version has product reviews from youtube, so you can really see how the paid version works before you decide to buy it.

The OP hasnt been online since November 6, 2020.

@IMBacon

Oh.. My bad, I just checked his profile. And you're right.