How to Adding a New Opening Book in ChessBase?

 Step-by-Step Guide: Adding a New Opening Book in ChessBase

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1. Obtain the Opening Book File

ChessBase uses opening books in the .ctg format. If you’ve downloaded an opening book, it should typically come with the following three files:

• .ctg (the opening book file)
• .ctb (the book data file)
• .cto (the book statistics file)

Make sure you have all these files together.

2. Save the Opening Book Files

Move the opening book files to a dedicated folder for easy access. It is usually best to save them in the default ChessBase books folder:

Default Directory Path:

Documents\ChessBase\Books

You can create a new folder for your specific book if desired.

3. Open ChessBase

Launch ChessBase on your computer.

4. Load the Opening Book

1. In ChessBase, go to the File menu (or click on the Open icon on the toolbar).
2. Select Open > Opening Book.
3. Navigate to the folder where your .ctg file is saved.
4. Select the .ctg file, and click Open.

5. Use the Opening Book

Now that the opening book is loaded, you can use it in your analysis and preparation. To activate and view the book:

1. Open a new board window for analysis.
2. Navigate to the 'Book' tab on the right-hand side of the screen, below the moves list. If it's not visible, click the “View” tab and select “Book”.
3. Your opening book should now be displayed with a list of moves, statistics, and evaluations.

6. Create a Custom Opening Book (Optional)

If you'd like to create your own opening book from a collection of games, follow these steps:

1. Create a New Opening Book:

   • In ChessBase, go to File > New > Opening Book.
   • Choose a location to save your book and name the file.

2. Add Games to Your Book:

   • Open a database that contains the games you want to use for your opening book.
   • Select the games by highlighting them.
   • Right-click and choose Add to Book to include those games in your opening book.

3. Adjust Book Settings:

   • Once the book is created, you can right-click inside the book window to adjust settings such as move priority or evaluation of certain lines.

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Additional Tips

• Update a Book: To update a book with new games, you can always add additional games to an existing book using the Add to Book option.

• Multiple Files: Ensure that all .ctg, .ctb, and .cto files are stored in the same folder, or the opening book may not work correctly.

• Configure Your Book: You can set preferences for how often certain moves are played or mark favorite lines by right-clicking within the book window and selecting Properties.

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By following these steps, you’ll be able to successfully add and use any new opening book in ChessBase. This will expand your preparation and analysis capabilities, allowing you to work with predefined or custom openings.