Mega Database Annotation Advice

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UnlimitedLearning

I have begun trying to annotate chessbase games and I have run into a minor problem. After annotating the game when I save it it begins a 20 minute process of replacing it.  Is there any way to shorten the time or entirely skip the process but keep the annotation?

JosephReidNZ

It sounds like ChessBase is reprocessing the entire database when you save your annotations, which can happen if you're working with a very large database or if the file format is inefficient for frequent editing.

Here are a few tips to make the process faster:

1. Use a Smaller Database

Instead of working directly within a massive database (e.g., a full opening tree or master database), create a smaller, separate database for the games you’re annotating. This way, saving changes will be much faster.


2. Save the Game Locally First

Export the specific game you’re annotating as a PGN file, annotate it, and save it locally. Once you’re done editing, you can re-import the game into the main database.


3. Disable Compression on Save

If you’re using ChessBase’s compressed database format, the save process might take longer. Consider converting the database to a non-compressed format while annotating, then compress it afterward for long-term storage.


4. Check for Updates

Make sure your version of ChessBase is up-to-date. Sometimes performance issues are resolved in newer patches.


5. Avoid Auto-Generated Content Overwrites

If ChessBase is auto-generating content (e.g., opening trees, reference data) every time you save, check the settings to disable this for the database you're working on.


By trying these tips, you should notice a significant reduction in time without losing your annotations. Let me know if you need detailed steps for any of these! 😊