Suggestion: display two bases in parallel • page 1/1 • L1Chess Tools Users Team • lichess.org

Hey! First of all, huge thanks for the amazing work on LiChess Tools — it's been a game changer for my study and training workflow.

I had a quick suggestion that could be super useful:

Would it be possible to display the Masters and Players databases in parallel in the opening explorer?
Right now I keep switching back and forth, but it would be awesome to see both at the same time.

Also — just a thought — it’d be great to have the option to use the chat box area to show one of the databases instead. Personally I almost never use the chat while analyzing, and that panel takes up a lot of space that could be used for something more practical.

Anyway, thanks again for all the features you've already brought in!

Hey! First of all, huge thanks for the amazing work on LiChess Tools — it's been a game changer for my study and training workflow. I had a quick suggestion that could be super useful: Would it be possible to display the Masters and Players databases in parallel in the opening explorer? Right now I keep switching back and forth, but it would be awesome to see both at the same time. Also — just a thought — it’d be great to have the option to use the chat box area to show one of the databases instead. Personally I almost never use the chat while analyzing, and that panel takes up a lot of space that could be used for something more practical. Anyway, thanks again for all the features you've already brought in!

TotalNoob69

#2

I am glad to hear LT helps you, @Ascomany !

There is shift-T shortcut to cycle between Masters and Lichess databases.

It's an interesting idea to move Explorer to the chat area, but there is no easy way to do that and preserve functionality without recreating the entire Explorer code for it. Similar to showing two databases at the same time.

So, in order to create a "new Explorer" we need to discuss specifics. How would it look? What would it show? What would it do?

I am glad to hear LT helps you, @Ascomany ! There is shift-T shortcut to cycle between Masters and Lichess databases. It's an interesting idea to move Explorer to the chat area, but there is no easy way to do that and preserve functionality without recreating the entire Explorer code for it. Similar to showing two databases at the same time. So, in order to create a "new Explorer" we need to discuss specifics. How would it look? What would it show? What would it do?

pondini

#3

I can't speak for the OP, but I also think it would be a really nice feature to have the Masters book moves listed in a pane to the left of the chessboard (possibly with navigation arrows below it if that is possible) and the Lichess database would remain in its normal area to the right of the chessboard. The feature could include existing stats when hovering over with the mouse as well as move execution upon clicking each book move.

Ascomany

#4

Thanks for that shortcut tip, I didn't know about it!

To be honest, I haven't thought in detail about the ideal design or interface.
My main motivation was that, in many positions, especially in less theoretical variations, the moves played by masters and those played by Lichess users often diverge greatly. I personally find it very useful to see both in order to compare theoretical and practical options.
Having both databases open side by side would allow you to prepare for both types of responses without having to constantly switch tabs.

To integrate this, my first idea is simply to be able to see and follow both at the same time, with full access to their statistics and move lists. But there are certainly different options for displaying this effectively.

Thanks for that shortcut tip, I didn't know about it! To be honest, I haven't thought in detail about the ideal design or interface. My main motivation was that, in many positions, especially in less theoretical variations, the moves played by masters and those played by Lichess users often diverge greatly. I personally find it very useful to see both in order to compare theoretical and practical options. Having both databases open side by side would allow you to prepare for both types of responses without having to constantly switch tabs. To integrate this, my first idea is simply to be able to see and follow both at the same time, with full access to their statistics and move lists. But there are certainly different options for displaying this effectively.

TotalNoob69

#5

@Ascomany and @pondini , be aware that you are talking about comparing oranges to apples. The masters games are often OTB (if not all) and have no filter for time controls. You are talking about completely different contexts. For example gambits rarely work on master level, at least the ones we like to talk about that start in the first 10 ply, but they may be devastating in short time controls. Then there is the mentality of people studying in order to increase their ELO in official competitions, which also implies techniques to vary their moves and hide their repertoire. Very different from people who just randomly play with other people.

In short, I doubt there is much value in statistics over Master games. Maybe show the master games that contain the current position so you can study it in context? But then it takes two clicks and a scroll to see and open a master game and tens of minutes to properly analyse it. On the other hand the main value of the Lichess database is statistical.

I believe that value (which I don't see) over effort (reinventing the Explorer) is pretty tiny. But you can change my mind.

@Ascomany and @pondini , be aware that you are talking about comparing oranges to apples. The masters games are often OTB (if not all) and have no filter for time controls. You are talking about completely different contexts. For example gambits rarely work on master level, at least the ones we like to talk about that start in the first 10 ply, but they may be devastating in short time controls. Then there is the mentality of people studying in order to increase their ELO in official competitions, which also implies techniques to vary their moves and hide their repertoire. Very different from people who just randomly play with other people. In short, I doubt there is much value in statistics over Master games. Maybe show the master games that contain the current position so you can study it in context? But then it takes two clicks and a scroll to see and open a master game and tens of minutes to properly analyse it. On the other hand the main value of the Lichess database is statistical. I believe that value (which I don't see) over effort (reinventing the Explorer) is pretty tiny. But you can change my mind.