Update Information: February 7, 2010 (Updates)
Engine Updates
Arasan 11.7 (WB/UCI)
C++ source, Linux, Mac, Win32/64, mp
- fix in PGN parser for rare cases where moves need rank + file for disambiguation
- changes to LMR and other pruning logic
- fix time measurement bug in Linux version
- fix thread deadlock problems on Linux
- convert to POSIX unnamed semaphores for Linux, to ensure semaphore cleanup on program exit
- multiple other code fixes and warning removals for Linux/Mac compiles
- bug fix in Board::wouldCheck
- increased scores for bishop pair, Rook on 7th
- fix UCI mate score output
- fix crash bug in UCI mode on Vista, Windows 7
http://www.arasanchess.org/
Chaturanga 2.4.3 (WB)
Win32
http://www.stefanomalloggi.altervista.org/index.htm
Jim Ablett Win builds
Dendron 0.42b JA (WB) for Win32 & Linux32
- force mode fixed; can play with gui opening books now
- added very basic (search depth based) time control
- fixed illegal moves out of check bug
- fixed not playing as black bug
- fixed on promotion freeze bug
- new Linux compile
http://homepages.tesco.net/henry.ablett/jims.html
Umko 0.7 (UCI)
C++ source; mp; Win32/64
- bugfix for losses on time while playing as Black
http://sourceforge.net/projects/umko/
Chess News
ChessX 0.6 GUI (WB/UCI)
PGN database program for Windows, Mac & Linux with engine support for analysis only (not for playing)
NOTE: project cannot handle large PGN files yet
14 (!!!) new commit(s) to the C++ source, (rev = 1007), no new build
- refactoring: use EngineList to get the list of engines
- fix: Try to keep current engine running after Preferences are changed
- fix: stop engine when AnalysisWidget is really hidden
- refactoring: Make some slots private; drop obsolete attributes
- refactoring: clear API
- move analysis formatting to separate class
- hide 'Analyze' button; now engine runs always if it is visible
- re-enable start/stop engine button
- add global shortcut to start/stop engine
- avoid restarting engine when minimizing/hiding
- fix a typo in slot name
- try to better detect dock closing
- first version of new engine management list
- do not rely upon sorting IDs of engines
- revert to previous engine list management
- prevent crash when deleting last engine
http://sourceforge.net/projects/chessx/develop/
Winboard/XBoard News
news about new Winboard alpha releases
- observe a game 'in the background', while playing on an ICS
http://hgm.nubati.net/news.html
Down/Problem chess websites
Amundsen homepage down for 23 days
Ares homepage down for 14 days
Betsy homepage down for 33 days
Colossus homepage down for 39 days
Kenny Dail (Mac) builds site down for 11 days
Omar homepage down for 2 days
Typhoon homepage down for 17 days
Wiki Changes
Chess Engine List
- added Rybka
http://computer-chess.org/doku.php?id=computer_chess:wiki:lists:chess_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 occasionally crash
- release candidate software may contain minor bugs; crashes are rare
Fresh HTML 3.43
free html editor
http://www.freshwebmaster.com/index.html
Notepad2 4.1.24 RC 3
open source Notepad replacement based on Scintilla w/ sytax highlighting for many languages
this is a *release candidate*
http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html (homepage & downloads)
https://sourceforge.net/projects/notepad2/ (project page)
Paint.NET 3.5.3
very nice free image and photo editing software (paint program). Recommended.
http://www.getpaint.net/ (homepage)
Spicebird 0.7.1 beta
open source calendaring/contacts app with integration for email and instant messaging
project seems to be based upon Thunderbird Lightning addon
this is a *beta* release
http://www.spicebird.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