Update Information: January 4, 2012 (Updates)
Engine Updates
Jim Ablett Win/Linux builds
EXchess 6.02 Beta JA (WB)
C++ source; Win32/64, Linux32/64, Android; limit strength
- recompile - to fix ponder in Windows builds
http://jimablett.net63.net/
Prédateur 2.2 (UCI)
Win32/64, Mac
"the Elo boost might be between +50/+100 compared with Prédateur 2.1"
- a lot of speedup everywhere, made possible by using Intruments, XCode's code profiling tool
- the promotion "bug" is fixed, so Olivier and Leo should be happy, now
- many ply-variables have been gathered into fieldbits, speeding up many parts of the engine
- the search have been polished and finely tuned
- Prédateur now understands the "go nodes xx" command
- time management and response improved (Prédateur can now play games will less than 200ms per move)
- perft is now available to everyone
- more binaries in the archive: MorphOS PPC added
- many tidbits here and there I don't even remember
http://predateur-chess.blogspot.com/
SharpChess2 2.6.4 (WB)
C# source; own GUI; Win32/64; requires .NET Framework version 4.0 (or later)
http://sharpchess.com/
- a new busy-cursor is displayed if the mouse is moved over the board whilst the computer is thinking
- The text "Thinking..." has been removed from the status bar once the computer has finishes thinking
- bugfix: fixed crash on loading a game when pondering is enabled. Game now loads "paused", and resumes either when user clicks play, or makes a move
- bugfix: fixed a bug where the user is unable to move pieces, if they click the board during the opponent's turn
- bugfix: fixed the installer and project so that SharpChess works correctly with "DotNet Framework 4 (Client Profile)"
- bugfix: fixed an issue where SharpChess would crash after the first move, when trying to create the backup save game on a computer where the user doesn't have Administrator rights. "BackupGame.sharpchess" is now saved in the "My Documents" folder, typically found located a "C:\Users\<username>\Documents"
http://sharpchess.com/
Chess News
Chess for Android 3.1.0 (WB/UCI)
Aart Bik's free gui + chess engine for the Android phone
- engine pondering (UCI and XBoard)
- fixed coach bug with move from/to a1
- added application/x-chess-pgn MIME support
http://aartbik.blogspot.com/
http://www.aartbik.com/MISC/android.html
Down/Problem Chess Websites
Asterisk homepage down for 62 days
ChessAlex homepage is down for 15 days
Dann Corbit homepage down for 191 days
GarboChess homepage down for 3 days (but project page is fine)
Jonny homepage down for 8 days (no response in 60 seconds)
Wiki Changes
Chess Engine List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- added alternate link for Jim Ablett
- SharpChess2: revised comment
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:chess_engine_list
Engine GUI List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Gromit: comment revised
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:engine_gui_list
ICGA Tournament Engine List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Falcon: added to the list
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:icga_tournament_list
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
CrystalDiskInfo 4.2.0 Beta 1
open source hard drive monitoring/warning/alarm system using SMART technology
- this is a *beta* release
http://crystalmark.info/?lang=en
JSDuck 3.3.0
open source JavaScript documentation generator
https://github.com/nene/jsduck
Notepad++ 5.9.8
open source programmer's editor; recommended
http://notepad-plus-plus.org/
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.
ron _at_ computer-chess _dot_ org