Engine Updates

Arasan 12.2 (WB/UCI)
C++ source; mp; Win32/64, Linux
- somewhat complex trade scoring has been removed - in favor of just adjusting piece values
- more aggressive futility pruning, margin is adjusted at 1/2 ply increments
- changes to extension/pruning logic. LMR now done after futility; extra LMR is done at high depths/move counts
- king safety scoring changed - open files are now scored separately, score is based on opposing Rook + Queen count
- bishop pair score reduced (but increases in endgame)
- changes to pawn scoring: outside pawn & doubled pawn scores reduced
- outside pawn calc is done via a table, like Crafty does
- penalty for own pieces ahead of passer; somewhat reduced bonus for rook behind passer
- EGTB values are no longer hashed (seemed to cause problems)
- minor GUI fix: remove trailing junk after game description
http://www.arasanchess.org/

Protector 1.3.5 (UCI)
1 revision(s) to the C++ source code today (current = rev. 377), no new build
http://sourceforge.net/projects/protector/

Jim Ablett Win/Linux builds
Redqueen 0.75 JA (UCI)
C++ source; Win32/64, Linux32/64
http://homepages.tesco.net/henry.ablett/jims.html

Redqueen 0.7.5 (UCI)
3 commit(s) to the C++ source code (commits= 466), no new build
- these are new changes not included in JA build shown above
http://sourceforge.net/projects/redqueenchess

Tornado 4.25 (UCI)
FRC; multi-pv; mp, Win32/64; limit strength
- move generator now generate only legal moves
- some bug fixes in search and eval
- add new castle rule like O-O for chess960 to play in Arena too, thats not need to play with polyglot as winboard engine
- limit strength adjustments now betweeen 500-2600 Elo
- time management changed
- lazy eval exit adjustements, increased of eval speed
http://sites.google.com/site/mychessengines/

Chess News

LittleBlitzer 2.5 (UCI)
Windows tournament manager program for UCI chess engines at fast time controls by Nathan Thom
- fixed number of games played in total and per engine; will now always play the exact number asked
- fixed reporting of illegal move when it should have been a repetition draw
- each illegal move now generates a new file with a random suffix
- some GUI tweaking
- improved logging output
- reduced LB overheads and more accurate measurement of real time taken by engines
- added option to pick a random EPD position (defaults to sequential)
- added LB_Name engine parameter to overwrite engine's name in the results
http://www.kimiensoftware.com/littlethought/littleblitzer.php

WinBoard 4.5.0 beta (WB)
The grand-daddy of all the free chess GUIs
- this is a *beta* release
http://www.open-aurec.com/wbforum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=51303 (announcement)
http://hgm.nubati.net/WinBoard-4.5.beta.zip (direct link)
http://hgm.nubati.net/news.4.5.0.html (info)

Down/Problem Chess Websites

Frenzee homepage down for 85 days (webpage taken down until new engine release)
NSVChess homepage down for 39 days (403 error: forbidden)
Pawny homepage down today (no response in 60 seconds)
Prophet site down for 9 days ("This domain name expired on 11/01/2010 and is pending renewal or deletion")
Holger Schluckebier Mac builds homepage down for 19 days (internal server error)
Smash homepage down today (no response in 60 seconds)
Igor Gorelikov homepage homepage back up
Safrad homepage back up

Wiki Changes
Nothing new today

Bonus Notifications (recent releases of free stuff)

Warnings:
- do not install unwanted toolbars, etc.
- alpha releases have new features; crashes and bugs are to be expected
- beta releases have new features; they may contain bugs or crash
- release candidate software may contain minor bugs; crashes are rare

Defraggler 2.00.230
free file/directory defragmenter
"This new release pushes the capabilities of Defraggler far beyond any other free defragmentation tool,
by offering complete offline defrag during the boot process with full OS support."
http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
http://www.piriform.com/blog/2010/11/10/defraggler-v20 (announcement)

Firefox 4.0 beta 7
open source browser. Recommended!
- this is a *beta* release
http://www.mozilla.com/ (homepage)
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/all-beta.html (beta page)

Networx 5.1.5
free network traffic (bandwidth) monitor & usage reporting w/ real-time graphs
http://www.softperfect.com/products/networx/

UltraVNC 1.0.9.1
cross platform open source remote desktop; can view/control Win, Linux, or Mac
http://ultravnc.sourceforge.net/
http://www.uvnc.com:8080/downloads/ultravnc/90-ultravnc-1091.html (download)

µTorrent 2.2 (build 23071)
open source BitTorrent client
http://www.utorrent.com/

Meaning of Colors

Red = New or Warning
Green = Updated
Gray = Info Only

Engine List: http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:chess_engine_list
Chess News: http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:chess_news_list