Patrick wrote:
I was impressed with Fritz's 250K-game database when I first installed
it. Then, after loading a couple games and looking at them, I suddenly
realized I had no use for all that.

A game database is helpful for learning about an opening.

For example, yesterday I played a game that went 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6
3.Nf3 Nc6 4.e3 Bb4. This is the English Opening / Four Knights.

I played 5.Qc2, but noted 5.Nd5 looked strong. After the game, I opened
my database to check. I found that 5.Qc2 is the mainline and wins 50.5%
while 5.Nd5 wins only 46.5%.

So 5.Qc2 may be better, but why? I follow a few games. After 5.Nd5 e4!
6.Ng1 White has to undevelop his knight, which looks rather ugly. After
5.Qc2 Bxc3 Qxc3 development is equal... so now I know why 5.Qc2 is
better and will play it in future games.

Quickly playing through some GM-level games in those lines would also
help me get a feel for the typical continuations, middlegame plans, and
endgames in that line.