SAVE YOUR GAMES – ALWAYS!
Always, always, always save the games you play against your chess
computer! Reviewing and analyzing them later will provide you with
bucketloads of valuable information on how you can improve. Only
complete fly-by-night cheap junk chess programs don't allow you to save
your games after you play them; in fact, most chess programs these days
will save your games into a default database automatically.
The only real issue to discuss here is what format to use when you save
your games. Many chess programs can save games into some proprietary
file format, that is, a format that can be read by that particular program.
Nearly every program, though, will save your games into a format called
PGN, which stands for Portable Game Notation (“portable” meaning that
the game can be ported [carried] from one program to another). A PGN
file is just a glorified text file (you can easily open it in a word processor
and read the game score) in which the information's formatting, such
as game headers and move spacing, follows a set of strictly proscribed
rules.
Each format has advantages. Saving a game in PGN format means
that you can play a game in one program, save it, and then open it up
and analyze it in a different program. Proprietary formats usually allow
additional game annotation (comment) features, like colored arrows or
pop-up windows showing a position's pawn structure, features which
can't be used in a PGN text file.
Consider the options and make your pick but, either way, save your
games!!!
SUMMING UP
We'll look at some other chess computer playing tips later (especially
when we talk about setting up positions). One could write almost a whole
book about nothing but playing regular games against a chess engine.
There are just a few basic ideas you should take away with you after
reading this chapter:
Playing a chess computer at its full strength is pointless. Find a level at
which you win about a quarter of your games (if your chess program
doesn't offer such an adaptive opponent). Play as much chess as you
can; if you have to, find ways to “trick yourself” into wanting to play more
chess which also help you measure your progress as a player (such as
the “virtual” tournaments and matches I suggested). And always save
your games!
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