What is this?
This is the chess information page for IM Christer Sundqvist (ICCF rating 2508). I build high-quality chess opening databases. I have been doing this for a long time (since the early 1980s). My chess opening databases have vastly improved over the last five years, and I am now able to provide chess players all over the world with standard lines of play in many popular chess openings, as well as exciting new ideas from my collections.
High-quality chess opening collections
To demonstrate the quality of my collections, I’ve included some files that you can freely download. If you are interested, I can offer you a partnership as well as sell you my collections (at very reasonable prices). Some chess players (both CC and OTB players) have already used my resources for several years. You can reach me at: turpaduunari@outlook.com
I believe in information transparency, so I encourage you to share your thoughts on chess with just me. I simply enjoy chess too much to keep it just for myself. If you find any of the information on this page useful, please let me know.
I collect, analyze, and write about chess openings using ChessBase software. ChessBase has been a valuable tool for me, providing instant access to previous chess games and allowing me to plan new chess strategies. I am an avid collector of chess game results, scores, books, and other chess-related items. I’ve incorporated a lot of ideas into my chess opening databases from various chess books and chess resources (for example, chess courses I’ve taken) into my collections (crediting the author whenever possible).
Below, you’ll find my advice on how to delve deeper into a specific chess opening. Who knows, maybe you’ll want to create your own chess databases and get more enjoyment out of your chess play. I am happy to assist you further if you so desire.
IM Christer Sundqvist’s high-quality chess opening database
This collection of free and reasonably priced chess files is expected to grow in the future. Keep an eye on this webpage!
Do not expect me to give everything away for free. These chess database collections have taken countless hours, months, and years to create. You get the majority of the benefits by investing a small amount of money (I use PayPal). Money, or the exchange of very valuable information, will change things for you because you will receive regular updates to my chess opening database.
Some examples of my chess openings database
Here you will find some of my available chess opening files. All the freely downloadable material is in the form of a PGN-datafile (there are other formats available. Please ask.).
My advice how to dig deeper into a chess opening
I have the background information that I have been playing correspondence chess since the 1980s and this is a very good way to learn how to master a chess opening. I played chess before strong chess computers evolved, and also now in the current era, when chess computers (engines) are really strong. What are the differences between these eras? Surprisingly, I say that there are very few differences! In the era before the chess engines, it was customary to buy the latest chess books and actively participate in discussions on chess forums (they were already these available in the 1980s). We then used this information and the luxury of being able to think about the next move for a really long time. We still do this today, but chess books have mostly been replaced by that strong chess computer and high-quality chess opening courses!
I am the second strongest correspondence chess player in Finland at the moment. There are about 150 stronger correspondence chess players in the world than me. How did I achieve this rare feat? At least not by relying solely on a chess computer. Let me tell you how I was able to reach this level of play. A key feature has been my keen interest into getting better in my chess opening play. I think deeper chess opening understanding can be achieved without correspondence chess playing activities, but for me correspondence chess was the great inspiration. Maybe it will be your inspiration as well?
I am taking a huge risk by revealing how I got to this position. First of all, someone might think that I want to boast about my achievements. However, chess players who know me know that I am a very humble person. On the other hand, I am taking the risk that someone will copy my success story. The latter is not a very big risk, because every (top) player has their own chess journey to go through. What helps me will not 100% help another player. We are so different as people. I argue that true development as a remote chess player requires personal analysis, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the game.
Here’s what I’ve done (in short!):
1) I decided to focus on chess openings that suit me. I spent years (decades!?) trying to find a way to make chess opening moves that would take me to a middle-game position in chess where my game ideas could flourish. I didn’t need the help of an engine for this. I needed a good chess database and a few reliable chess books. I’ve collected all the information I could, especially regarding my chess openings. I’ve gone so far as to have 1500-page chess opening books (in Chessbase and PDF format) of chess openings that I’ve made myself. I update these opening books every week to reflect the current understanding of opening theory. This has had a huge impact on my level of play!
2) I play a lot of remote chess (very little local chess) on different servers. The most important server is ICCF (”official remote chess organization”), where I invest a lot of money. Sometimes it’s about dedicating entire working days (I’m retired) to thinking about a single move. On two other servers (LSS and GameKnot) I play more taking risks and trying out different variations on my favorite openings. Some new things have ended up in my use on ICCF. So on other servers I test move options, on ICCF I play for real. If you don’t love finding the perfect chess move, this is not your game!
3) I use the best possible analysis tools to support the concept of the best possible move in the current game position. Here are my tools:
– chess engine Stockfish 17.1 combined with a fairly powerful laptop
– chess position analysis tool ”Chinese Terror” https://www.chessdb.cn/queryc_en/ (currently over 50 billion game positions in the database, an artificial intelligence-powered move selector and supercomputer computing power)
– En-Croissant chess program https://encroissant.org/ (a really handy analysis tool that allows you to download several chess engines and chess databases for comparing moves)
– Chessbase 16 (newer versions of this have been released, but updating is an expensive task and the new versions contain features that I may not need). I need this paid program to keep my chess opening books up to date. It also runs the strongest engine conveniently.
4) I am extremely meticulous about sending the right move. It may sound strange, but in remote chess, games are decided by the ”mouseslip” phenomenon, i.e. accidentally entering a wrong move. This is such a humiliating experience that I always do double-triple checks now. My last game loss due to a wrong move was several years ago, but they have been hit. (knock on wood!!)
All remote players (except for a few heroes with a strength of 2200 or less) use all modern tools these days. It’s no wonder that the number of draws is alarmingly high. Wins are rare. But draws are different! I have played enjoyable draws, far from boring. I have to get used to draws these days.
Tomorrow I start another round in the hunt for the remote chess world championship, WCCC49SF (semi-final of the World Championship). Keep your fingers crossed! We’ve already missed a few semi-finals. The World Championship final is always on our minds, but it’s a long way to go.
For the love of chess,
IM Christer Sundqvist