ChessRoller: Looking for feedback on a new database GUI (.cbh/.2cbh support, Mac/Win)

[chessroller]

Hi folks, I'm a software engineer, and I’ve been working for the past few years on a chess database program called ChessRoller (https://chessroller.com), which I released publicly last week, and I would greatly appreciate any feedback from folks interested in trying it. The project started off first as a UCI chess library, then a GUI, then a database...and now ChessRoller.

A few highlights currently implemented:
• Imports ChessBase .cbh and .2cbh, scid, pgn, and one vintage easter egg Mac format.
• Fast position search. On my dev machine I'm getting sub-second position queries for databases of ~11M games.
• macOS (Apple Silicon) and Windows (x64/arm64) builds. I don't currently publish a Linux build, but if that potential Linux user is you, please tell me!

Any constructive feedback/criticism on performance, interface usability, or missing features that you want would be immensely helpful, and I'd be happy to answer any questions that I can. Of course, I'm happy to hand out license keys for those that try it and provide feedback.

Thank you!
Lu

[Ponti]

I'm a linux user (most of my machines run Debian or Mint ). I´d be glad to test a linux version.

[chessroller]

I'm a linux user (most of my machines run Debian or Mint ). I´d be glad to test a linux version.

Sorry for the slow reply, I missed this. I'll put together a Linux test build (probably an AppImage or .deb) in the next few days and send it to you by PM. I'd welcome any feedback, especially on how it behaves on Debian and Mint.

[chessroller]

Also, thanks to everyone who reached out privately with feedback!

ChessRoller 27.2 is out. Changes since the first release:

- Better 2CBH import: guiding texts with their pictures and links, .2cbv archives, and a bunch of smaller import fixes.
- Polyglot (.bin) and CTG opening books. These are only used for engine play for now, so let me know if you'd like to browse CTG stats too.
- E-boards (beta): Chessnut Air/Pro, DGT e-Board and Millennium ChessLink.
- A toggle for an inline move list, alongside the existing column view.
- Even faster position search and statistics. The goal is for filtering a large database to feel interactive, with next-move and opening statistics updating as you move through a line.
- An engine installer for free engines (Stockfish, Lc0, Reckless). For Lc0 it detects your GPU and sets up the right build, and it offers Maia networks for human-like play.
- Many more keyboard shortcuts, mostly following ChessBase conventions.
- An experimental local MCP server, so an AI assistant can search your database and open games.

Full release notes: https://chessroller.com/release-notes/

Lu