Update Information: May 13, 2012 (Updates)
Engine Updates
BagaturChess 1.2e (UCI)
Java source; mp
- 40 ELO stronger
- optimized search
- improved move ordering and search parameters
http://sourceforge.net/projects/bagaturchess/
DiscoCheck 3.5 (UCI)
not really new, Lucas Braesch has renamed his old DoubleCheck engine, but engine is updated
C source; Win32/64, Linux32/64, Mac64, Android
- no futility pruning of killer moves: scores equal in self-play, but slightly better in tactics
- futility and eval pruning now done also at PV nodes
- bugfix: returned the previous iteration move when mate found in certain cases
- bugfix: print_pv was calling move_to_string with illegal moves
- run_epd: run an EPD file, produce a nice report of missed positions and total score
- move_to_san added
- bugfix: calc_attacks was functionally incorrect, rewritten and speeded it up a little too
- improved evaluation of connected passed pawns
- "a new interesting feature of DiscoCheck is the EPD support, as documented in the readme.txt file!"
http://wbec-ridderkerk.nl/html/details1/DoubleCheck.html
Gibbon 2.57.a (UCI)
Win32
- a new Gibbon download is listed, but fails to download
http://perso.numericable.com/monique.marathee/gibbon_downloads_page.html
Jim Ablett Win/Linux builds
MinkoChess 1.3 JA (UCI)
C++ source; mp; Win32/64, Linux32/64, Android; supports Gaviota tablebases and Polyglot books; Fruit derivative; engine formerly named 'Umko'
- first time for Android build
http://jimablett.net63.net/
Sting SF has been removed from the Chess Engine List due to deliberate violation of GPL license
Chess News
Nothing new today
Down/Problem Chess Websites
Chad's Chess homepage down for 14 days (provider has discontinued free website hosting)
ChessMind homepage down for 10 days ("Server not found")
Dann Corbit homepage down for 321 days
Surprise homepage down for 6 days (server is misconfigured)
Wiki Changes
Chess Engine List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Chad's Chess: added alternative download link
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:chess_engine_list
Chess Logos List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- 'Chessmaster 9000 / 10th Edition / Grandmaster Edition': minor comment revision
- added to Graham Banks logos: RumbleMinze, WChess
- 'CM 9000 - 10th Edition' renamed to 'Chessmaster Crunchtime'
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:chess_logos_list
GUI Protocol List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Chessmaster: added another link & revised comment
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:gui_protocol_support_list
SMP Engine List
update by Norbert Raimund Leisner
- 'Chessmaster - The King' renamed to 'Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition - The King'
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:smp_engine_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
Cobian Backup 11.2.0.556
free multi-threaded Win32/64 backup; supports ftp upload/download, compression, encryption, backup of locked files
http://www.educ.umu.se/~cobian/cobianbackup.htm
Cython 0.16
a Python-to-C translator / compiler; handles Python 2.3 to 3.2 syntax, inclusive
- first time listed here
http://cython.org/
Glary Utilities 2.45.0.1486
free; cleanup, repair, optimize and enhance your privacy & security, etc.
http://www.glaryutilities.com/gu.html
Greenshot 1.0
free, open source screenshot capture program for Windows
http://getgreenshot.org/
Task Coach 1.3.14
open source cross-platform desktop todo manager with task or calendar viewing, project tracking, etc
http://www.taskcoach.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