Databases

What's up, guys and gals?

I know people maintain databases. I'm thinking of the ones with virtually all of the famous/documented games (millions). 

I understand Chessbase has that, though I also understand that it is quite expensive. Are there alternatives? I understand the good databases likely won't be free, though are there cheaper alternatives?

One idea I has is to get a Chessgames.com premium membership ($30/year), and download their database. Any other ideas?

Thanks in advance!

For $30, you won't be able to download their database.

I though it was.

http://www.chessgames.com/perl/tour

"?" under PGN download. "In fact, you can download our entire game database!".

Sorry. You are right that a chessgames.com annual subscription is only $30. Chessgames.com has a good small database of historical games. Many of them have interesting kibitzing.

The guy who ran the site just died. https://en.chessbase.com/post/chessgames-community-mourns-co-founder

It is not in the same league as Chessbase.

I gotcha. Any chance you know of other databases anywhere near the league of Chessbase?

SCID vs PC if free (although I personally don't like it nearly as much as chessbase).

Populate it using TWIC (This week in chess).

Kingbase.  Free downloadable database.  Over 2 million games.  http://www.kingbase-chess.net/

Chess Assistant.  Chess Database Software.  2018 version includes 6.8 million game database.

Thank you all for your answers!

@jeff2e16, is there any chance you could provide some screenshots of Chess Assistant? The computer I'm currently using currently blocks the site for some reason. It's OK if not... I'm sure I could look into it.

Here is a link to the USCFsales product page that has some screenshots of the software.  https://www.uscfsales.com/download-chess-assistant-18.html  

Thanks!

I am likely going to get Mega 19 from chessbase when it comes out,

because CM JamesColeman said that that database is good enough for anyone, and apparently it also updates weekly with novel games.

You could consider getting the Big Database instead. The only difference is whether some of the games are annotated. Like Mega Database, it is updated weekly. And like Mega Database, the updates are free for the first year, and require a subscription after the first year.

I have enjoyed reviewing some of the annotated games in the MegaBase, and would recommend it over the BigBase.

This is probably the way I would have gone if I didn't already own Fritz 16. But, since I do, and Fritz 16 comes with a database with many annotated games, I went with the Big Database instead.

That makes sense madratter7

I have a question about MegaBase if anyone happens to know.

I'm looking at this product (https://en.chessbase.com/post/mega-database-2018). It says that they hold games basically until 2017. Does the database update to where I could get recent games? Is there an updated version? Would I have to add games if I want recent games? Thanks in advance!

It comes with games through 2017. It comes with a year subscription for updates. I don't know if the back-updates through this part of the year are free or count against your subscription. The updating process is fairly straightforward if you have ChessBase.