Introduction to BritBase
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 7:10 pm
Firstly, my thanks to Carl for generously offering to host a section for BritBase discussion on this, the English Chess Forum.
A bit of background: BritBase (http://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/) is subtitled the British Chess Game Archive. I started it going in 1997 and I believe it was the first website worldwide to provide free downloads of a specific country's digitised chess games. Plenty of others followed in its wake worldwide, many of which are superbly done and well worth a visit (check the links page). Of course, commercial disk-based databases and websites offering game downloads from everywhere and anywhere existed before 1997 but BritBase was the first to concentrate on one country (strictly speaking, two countries because I also collect and provide downloads of games played in Ireland).
The reason I decided to specialise in British and Irish games was because I was concerned that the quality and accuracy of data found on big databases was suspect and that local knowledge would be important. Also, of course, I hoped to find more games played in Britain and Ireland and make them generally available. Incidentally, I started this a couple of years before becoming editor of British Chess Magazine (http://www.bcmchess.co.uk). The two are not connected. BCM does not own BritBase - it is simply something I do as a hobby in my spare time on my own account.
I don't have all that much time to devote to BritBase so progress is often slow. I add contemporary tournament games as they are played and try to get my hands on old bulletins to input games from the past but you will find plenty of gaps that need filling. I also (unofficially) proof-read games I find on ChessBase's own Mega/Big databases and try to point out mistakes I find there. This seems to get acted on by the people who edit those commercial databases (they must visit my pages!) so over time it has a beneficial effect on the quality of those databases.
What I would like to achieve via this forum is to (a) get feedback on BritBase (this can also be done privately via an email contact link you'll find at the website); (b) get suggestions for improving presentation (which I would be the first to admit is not currently ideal - the website needs a thorough make-over!); (c) receive corrections and information about missing games and bulletins; (d) for me to answer questions that arise where the answers may be of general interest.
Finally, please remember that BritBase's motto is "don't shoot the webmaster, he's doing his best." I am reminded of something Bill Hartston is alleged to have said to some spectators who dared to reprove him for a quick draw he agreed at a British Championship many moons ago (Eastbourne 1973 I think it was): "Now, remind me, how much did you gentlemen pay to watch my game?" "Nothing." "Well then, you can't complain you didn't get value for money." This value for money argument also applies to BritBase.
A bit of background: BritBase (http://www.saund.co.uk/britbase/) is subtitled the British Chess Game Archive. I started it going in 1997 and I believe it was the first website worldwide to provide free downloads of a specific country's digitised chess games. Plenty of others followed in its wake worldwide, many of which are superbly done and well worth a visit (check the links page). Of course, commercial disk-based databases and websites offering game downloads from everywhere and anywhere existed before 1997 but BritBase was the first to concentrate on one country (strictly speaking, two countries because I also collect and provide downloads of games played in Ireland).
The reason I decided to specialise in British and Irish games was because I was concerned that the quality and accuracy of data found on big databases was suspect and that local knowledge would be important. Also, of course, I hoped to find more games played in Britain and Ireland and make them generally available. Incidentally, I started this a couple of years before becoming editor of British Chess Magazine (http://www.bcmchess.co.uk). The two are not connected. BCM does not own BritBase - it is simply something I do as a hobby in my spare time on my own account.
I don't have all that much time to devote to BritBase so progress is often slow. I add contemporary tournament games as they are played and try to get my hands on old bulletins to input games from the past but you will find plenty of gaps that need filling. I also (unofficially) proof-read games I find on ChessBase's own Mega/Big databases and try to point out mistakes I find there. This seems to get acted on by the people who edit those commercial databases (they must visit my pages!) so over time it has a beneficial effect on the quality of those databases.
What I would like to achieve via this forum is to (a) get feedback on BritBase (this can also be done privately via an email contact link you'll find at the website); (b) get suggestions for improving presentation (which I would be the first to admit is not currently ideal - the website needs a thorough make-over!); (c) receive corrections and information about missing games and bulletins; (d) for me to answer questions that arise where the answers may be of general interest.
Finally, please remember that BritBase's motto is "don't shoot the webmaster, he's doing his best." I am reminded of something Bill Hartston is alleged to have said to some spectators who dared to reprove him for a quick draw he agreed at a British Championship many moons ago (Eastbourne 1973 I think it was): "Now, remind me, how much did you gentlemen pay to watch my game?" "Nothing." "Well then, you can't complain you didn't get value for money." This value for money argument also applies to BritBase.