The strongest version, combining human and computer theory for competitive play.
The (with both .ctg and .bin) is arguably the best commercial opening book for the serious amateur to expert player. The inclusion of both formats makes it future-proof and GUI-agnostic. The only reason it loses half a star is the price point and the fact that raw engine users may find free books "good enough." Chess Hiarcs 15q Openings Book Includes Ctg And...
: HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro users can view multiple books—including local CTG files and online premium books—simultaneously to compare different theoretical approaches. The strongest version, combining human and computer theory
represents a quantum leap. The “q” suffix denotes a refined neural evaluation function combined with traditional search heuristics. However, the crown jewel of the package is its opening book. The only reason it loses half a star
Every line is annotated with (when viewed in ChessBase), explaining the strategic goals: “This knight maneuver controls the dark squares,” or “Black will aim for ...d5 break after castling.”
The is not just a database of moves; it is an artificially intelligent sparring partner. What makes this product indispensable is that it includes CTG and BIN formats out of the box. If you are serious about your opening preparation, understanding why these two formats matter will change the way you study chess.