Engine Updates

Deep Saros 2.3gs (UCI)
C++ source; mp; Win32/64, Linux64; Ippolit/Toga/Glaurung derivative
"new version is very "strategic", and is proving to be very strong on a long time games"
- improved the evaluation functions of pieces and pawns
- improved management of outposts (knight, bishop and tower)
- improved evaluation functions of pawns
http://deepsaros.jimdo.com/

Simplex 0.9.7 (UCI)
C++ source with Spanish comments; Win32
"I expect a +100 elo improve"
- new Cache code
- added cache command in the uci protocol
- search adapted for the new cache code
- for debugging purpose, less aggresive search
--- no LMR in PV
--- no Futility pruning in PV
--- changed logic on PVS research (reduced nodes)
- extensive work on the evaluation function
--- the evaluation function looks now more conventional
--- tapered eval (opening - ending) smoothed with a 16 step phase
--- 152 auto-tuned parameter set
- split of killers moves, now accessed by side to move.
- bug fixed: crash on games longer than 256 moves. (increase of internal array to 512)
- bug fixed: improved the function for validating the "hash move"
- silent until iteration 5
- some cleanup. unused function and some warnings
http://sites.google.com/site/barajandotrebejos/

Chess News

Norm Pollock site
PGN & EPD Utility Suites and Opening Book PGN Databases
- new EPD database: "OpPosSte" - contains opening position suites of 8 and 12 moves
- R-Mates EPD database updated
http://www.hoflink.com/~npollock/chess.html

Down/Problem Chess Websites

Aldebaran homepage down for 22 days (no response in 60 seconds)
Frenzee homepage down for 144 days (webpage taken down until new engine release)
Sorgenkind homepage down for 10 days (no response in 60 seconds)
Usurper homepage down for 8 days

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

Game Booster 2.2
free; increases performance by temporarily shutting down background processes
and maximizing available RAM; Recommended!
http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html (homepage)
http://www.majorgeeks.com/Game_Booster_d5952.html (download)

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

NOTE: If you want me to track a website for you, please email me and I will add it.