Chess Academy has more than 21,500 opening key positions, 917 middlegame key positions (typical Structures), 829 middlegame key positions (typical Sacrifices), 721 middlegame key positions (typical Motives), and 176 endgame keys. All the keys represent the contents of a given database through which you can access specific games.

If you would like to look through all key positions, which are compiled in Chess Academy by all 500 opening keys (more than 21,500 key positions available now!), click the toolbar button or choose Key positions > Contents from the Keys menu.

Alternatively: press the keyboard shortcut Alt+F9.

The program looks through all key positions attached to the selected opening index choosing Key Positions> Select by index from the Keys menu.

Alternatively: press the keyboard shortcut Alt+X.

You can also load any key position by choosing Key Positions> Load position from the Keys menu.

Alternatively: press the keyboard shortcut Alt+F8.

The program displays a dialog window called “Load” which includes the following message “Enter the index number of the key position to be displayed now”. Enter the number you wish to display and confirm your choice by clicking OK.

A list of all the games which are classified by that key can be created and displayed by clicking the toolbar button and then searching by ECO, (it will be automatically transferred into the corresponding field of the “Header Search Pattern” window).

This window also includes a traditional opening description for all ECO codes (see additional description of the “Openings” line). Any other search option can also be invoked from the window.

The theme keys are called up via the special windows.

The opening codes are called up via the “ECO list” window by clicking the toolbar button , and choosing Opening codes from the Keys menu.

Alternatively: press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+O.

The “ECO list” window includes also a traditional opening description for each ECO code.

Chess Academy attributes an Opening Code to a game using Chess Informant’s world-known classification of 500 codes. There are five groups of codes (A, B, C, D, E). Each main group is divided into ten main codes (A0-E9) which, then, are divided into ten basic Opening Codes (A00 to E99). This reference system of opening codes is used worldwide by numerous chess players, publishers, and software producers. This is an internationally recognized standard system of describing chess openings. All 500 main opening keys are also presented in this program. Chess Academy database “Profi” is classified by ECO codes.

Any opening codes can be expanded by adding more detail keys.

The list of ECO codes is presented in a quite understandable tree structure. You can manage with it in the same manner as with Windows Explorer tree of folders for example. There are two helper buttons at the top of the list and two more at the bottom of it. Press the first or the second button to ensure all codes of a second (from A0 through E9) or third (from A00 through E99) tree levels are expanded. Similarly, press the button to ensure all codes of first (from A through E) or second (from A0 through E9) tree levels are collapsed.

To display a list of all opening key positions attached to the current index choose Key Positions > Select by Index… command from the Keys menu.

Alternatively: press the keyboard shortcut Alt+X.

A list of all the games attached to the current index can be created and displayed by clicking the Toolbar button and then searching by ECO index (it will be automatically transferred into the corresponding field of the “Header Search Pattern” window). ). In case you select a code like A or A0, the search will be performed on all parent codes. Position search and Route search can also be invoked from the window.

The list of middlegame keys is presented in a quite understandable tree structure. You can manage with it in the same manner as with Windows Explorer tree of folders for example. Click the rectangle marked with ‘+’ sign or press the right arrow key to expand the current tree item to the next tree level. Click the rectangle marked with ‘-‘ sign or press the left arrow key to collapse the current tree item. Use mouse cursor and cursor control keys to navigate in the tree.

There are two helper buttons at the top of the list and two more at the bottom of it. Press the first or second button to ensure all codes of the second or third tree levels are expanded. Similarly, press the button to ensure all codes of the first or second tree levels are collapsed.

If you would like to look at the Middlegame Keys > Structures, click the toolbar button or choose Middlegame Keys > Structures from the Keys menu.

A list of all the games that are classified by that key can be created and displayed by clicking the toolbar button and then searching by Position, which is automatically transferred onto the chessboard in the “Position Search Pattern” dialog window.

Examples of defining middlegame structures: White isolated d-pawn, White hanging pawns on c4 and d4, Black hedgehog pawn structure, White Maroczy-Bind pawn structure

If you would like to look at the Middlegame Keys > Sacrifices (829 keys are available), click the toolbar button or choose Middlegame Keys > Sacrifices from the Keys menu.

A list of all the games that are classified by that key can be created and displayed by clicking the toolbar button and then searching by Route in the “Route Search Pattern” dialog window.

Examples of defining middlegame sacrifices: Rook c1 takes Knight on c6, Bishop on d3 takes the h7-Pawn with the check.

If you would like to look at the Middlegame Keys > Motives (721 keys are available), click the toolbar button or choose Middlegame Keys > Motives from the Keys menu.

A list of all the games that are classified by that key can be created and displayed by clicking the toolbar button and then searching by Route in the “Route Search Pattern” dialog window, or by searching by Position, which will be displayed on the chessboard in the “Position Search Pattern” dialog window.

Examples of defining middlegame motives: Rook on open d-file, Pawn breakthrough d4-d5 in the middlegame positions with isolated d-Pawn.

The Material search option can also be invoked from the window with middlegame keys.

If you would like to look at the Endgame Keys (176 keys available now), click the toolbar button , or choose Endgame keys from the Keys menu.

Alternatively: press the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+E.

The program shows a window called “Chess Academy Endgame Classification” which includes 176 endgame keys.

The search by endgame keys looks for specific endgame types.

Select an appropriate line and double-click it or click the Search button to call up the window “Material Search Pattern” where all settings will be transferred automatically by the program.