Installing Opening Master Databases

The following is a guide that covers how to set up your new Opening Master database on your ChessBase software. The requirement for successful running and functioning we recommend you have ChessBase 6.0 and higher (pref. ChessBase 9.0) Here you can find an overview of the files included in the Opening Master release and instructions on installing and activating the database in your local environment

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Downloading the Opening Master database Files

All downloaded versions of popular chess databases require sort of membership. There are currently three kinds of memberships which you can register with - Free Membership, Gold Membership or Platinum Membership. It is solely up to you which you prefer. Each membership is explained in the registration process as well as at the download section. The first step is to download all of the files that will be needed to install your Opening Master chess database, OM custom databases such as Correspondence Chess DB, OM 2300+, as well other smaller modifications or trees. Here is a quick explanation of each of the available files in the Opening Master release.
  • Opening Master 1.0.x (e.g. OM 1.0.1.cbv) This file is the complete package you will use to install your full database with 5.1 millions of games played by humans only and de-duplicated so you shall not find any same game twice. There are also smaller files availabe to download in compressed format (.rar) which you then need to de-compress in your folder destination
  • Opening Master Corresponence Chess DB (OM Corr DB.cbv) This package contains the largest collection of the correspondence chess (e.g. ICCF)  with more than  722.000 games. This database is under Golden and above memberships.
  • OM TOP  (OM TOP.cbv) This cbv contains the world chess leaders according to FIDE association having ELO 2500 or higher. This package is under Platinum Membership only.
  • Portal Database (OM Portal DB.cbv) This database contains a collection of portal games played on famous www chess portals. However be aware, many times the games are played with nick names and tournaments are not official listed. On the other hand very useful tool to learn specific players who participate on these tournaments. This database is with free membership
  • OM 2300+ (OM 2300+.cbv) This extract of the Opening Master contains only players with ELO 2300 or higher. A true quality of the games and still under the Gold Package.

Step 1 - Dowloading file


After you register go to download section of the site. Choose a specific database which you prefer to download  and click on the dowload button. If you don't see the download button you most likely do not have the right permission. Wait until the full file downloads. Sometimes it make take while to download 600 MB depending on your internet connection. If you have slower connection we recommend to download 7 compressed .rar file each having 100 MBs.
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Step 2 - Making the OM database work under ChessBase


The easiest way is to locate the file on your hardisk where you downloaded it and double click on the file. (picture 2 below) Or if you prefer to go to ChessBase first, then go to File > Open > Open Database or directly find the file via left hand explorer planel in CB. This will pull up database onto your workspace (right panel) from where you can navigate and analyze the games, making trees, create reports and so on. (for detailed tutorials on ChessBase, please refer to a separate section)

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Step 3 - Extracting the .cbv file on workspace and making a 'reference database'


Once you are on the ChessBase workspace double click on the added icon and wait few minutes until the .cbv file fully extracts itself (see picture3 below). Once this is done, the last step before we are finished is making the database as ''reference database''. This means for all analyses of openings, games, reports, trees, ChessBase will use OpeningMaster DB as chess ''default knowledge base''. (picture 4). Installing is done, we should see the button OM 1.0.X on your workspace. (see picture 5)

 Picture  3 -  Extractingexctracting.png Picture 4referenceDB.png - Making a reference DB
 Picture 5 -  OM  successfully installed on workspaceOM on workspace.png