HIARCS Chess Opening Books
Each HIARCS chess product comes with its own digital chess opening book with the latest chess opening theory at the time of the release of the particular product. However, many chess players need to remain up to date with the latest chess opening theory throughout the year and online chess engine players like to have the latest and strongest chess opening books.
For many years HIARCS has had the strongest opening books available and it keeps getting stronger with every release. We even supplied the HIARCS tournament chess opening book to help five time World Chess Champion, Vishy Anand's team prepare for his World Championship match in which he was so successful.
We now find our books are sought after by many of world's strongest human players for both over the board and correspondence play - an essential resource for the serious chess player.
For customers of HIARCS Chess Explorer (Pro) we recommend the Online Access to HIARCS Chess Opening Books from HIARCS Chess Explorer (Pro)
For customers of HCE Pro, Fritz and ChessBase products we recommend the HIARCS Tournament Chess Opening Book in CTG, HCS formats
The following table explains the different HIARCS opening books available and in what package they can be found.
Opening Book | Based On | Positions | Accessed Using | Available in product | Location | Format |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Local Book in HCE | Grandmaster over the board games | 1,129,149 | HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) | HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) | Local (included with Chess Explorer) | HBS |
Local Book in HCE Pro | Grandmaster over the board games | 2,277,149 | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
Local (included with Chess Explorer Pro) | HBS |
GM in HCE | Grandmaster over the board games | 2,890,164 | HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) | HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) | Online | FHBS |
GM in HCE Pro | Grandmaster over the board games | 7,098,368 | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
Online | FHBS |
GM+ in Deep HCE Pro | Grandmaster over the board and correspondence games | 18,056,747 | Deep HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
Deep HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
Online | FHBS |
HIARCS 15s (Engine book) | Strong human and computer games | 15,422,195 (moves only, no statistics) | HIARCS 15 and Deep HIARCS 15 series chess engines | HIARCS 15 series engines or HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) |
Local (included with Chess Explorer Pro) | HCS |
Human Reference | All known human master games including correspondence | 64,191,876 | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) OR HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) |
HCE Pro Premium OR Online Book Explorer Access Subscription | Online | FHBS |
GM++ Reference | Grandmaster and Elite correspondence games | 29,602,275 | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) OR HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) |
HCE Pro Premium OR Online Book Explorer Access Subscription | Online | FHBS |
Tournament Book | Strong human and computer games | 32,270,531 | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) OR HIARCS Chess Explorer (Mac & PC) |
HCE Pro Premium OR Online Book Explorer Access Subscription | Online | FHBS |
HIARCS 15t (ChessBase CTG) | Strong human and computer games | 32,270,531 | HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro (Mac & PC) and ChessBase compatible GUIs, e.g. ChessBase, Fritz or Aquarium | HIARCS Tournament CTG Download Subscription | Local (download book) | CTG |
HIARCS 15t (13.617) (iPhone/iPad) | Strong human and computer games | 32,270,531 | HIARCS Chess for iPhone or iPad | HIARCS Tournament CTG Download Subscription | Local (download book) | HBG |
HIARCS 15t (Engine HCS) | Strong human and computer games | 32,270,531 (moves only, no statistics) | HIARCS 15 and Deep HIARCS 15 chess engines | HIARCS Tournament CTG Download Subscription | Local (download book) | HCS |
All books unless stated otherwise contain moves and detailed statistics including game results, Elo ratings, performances, year and play recommendations.
Purchase HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro for a World class chess database, analysis and playing user interface, this includes the essential local and GM books (Deep HCE customers also get the GM+ book)
HIARCS Chess Explorer and HIARCS Chess Explorer Pro customers can purchase the Online Book Explorer Access product giving 1 year online access to our Human Reference, GM++ and Tournament books using HIARCS Chess Explorer and HCE Pro, please note all online books are available in HCE Pro Premium edition for 1 year following purchase.
Users of HCE Pro, ChessBase and Fritz software may be interested in our HIARCS Tournament CTG Downloads giving 1 year download access to our latest HIARCS Tournament book in multiple formats for use in HCE Pro, Fritz and ChessBase User Interfaces.
The online book access subscription product includes monthly updates to the H-Ref and GM++ books with the latest theory being played including new novelties. The online Tournament book and downloadable CTG Tournament book is updated quarterly. Improvements per year have averaged about 40 Elo points. Over the course of a year the opening book may contribute more to chess strength improvement than the increase in chess engine strength.
Please note the HIARCS opening books are for your personal use only. Under no circumstances are the books to used for commercial purposes, hosted on another website or used in official tournaments without the prior express written permission of Applied Computer Concepts Ltd. All HIARCS books are copyright © 1991-2025 Applied Computer Concepts Ltd. All rights reserved.