Critter goes SMP (version 0.60 is released)

[Zagalo]

Thanks, looks good. Any JA compile ?

Dont forget to 'get ideas from Robbo code' to get a big boost as stockfish 1.7

[alpha123]

The first SMP version of Critter is available:

http://www.mediafire.com/?jgydzytfyro

Main changes:

* SMP support (max 8 threads). If hyperthreading is turned on, please set number of threads to number of physical cores.
* Support of "searchmoves" UCI option (useful for IDEA)
* Decreased middlegame pawn value, but much larger passed pawn bonuses
* Added some endgame heuristics (KRPKR, KQKP, opposite colored bishop endings)
* Somewhat slower NPS, but faster time-to-depth

My own single thread testing against Critter 0.52b shows 42 ELO improvement (with error margins +-7). I don't have a precise figure about performance vs. other engines.

Enjoy,

Richard

HOORAY!

Seriously, I've been waiting an MP release since like 0.42 or something.


Protector 1.3.4 JA 64-bit,
Crafty 23.2 JA 64-bit,
Scorpio 2.5 JA 64-bit,
and bright-0.5c will likely be its first opponents. Maybe some version of Toga also.

Congratulations,
Peter

[Graham Banks]

Protector 1.3.4 JA 64-bit,
Crafty 23.2 JA 64-bit,
Scorpio 2.5 JA 64-bit,
and bright-0.5c will likely be its first opponents. Maybe some version of Toga also

Sounds like a sensible selection of opponents.

[alpha123]

Protector 1.3.4 JA 64-bit,
Crafty 23.2 JA 64-bit,
Scorpio 2.5 JA 64-bit,
and bright-0.5c will likely be its first opponents. Maybe some version of Toga also

Sounds like a sensible selection of opponents.

Thanks. The CCRL list helped . It's kinda tough to find some decent amateur SMP engines, so I might through in a stronger engine (Thinker, spark, or Shredder probably) on a single core.

Peter

[Mincho Georgiev]

I'm sure this one is going to jump in CCRL's top 10 on 4 cores. And sorry if it's an underestimation.
Nicely done!

[nepossiver]

Any plans for a linux compile? I - and I bet many more people here - would love a linux version. (Or maybe the source...)

Anyway, thanks for the engine.

[mhalstern]

I've been waiting for this.

I'm going to run a Gauntlet on my 4.0 GHZ I7-920. Look for the crostable and a link to the games on the "Computer Chess Club: Tournaments and Matches" forum, sometime before the weekend.

[Martin Thoresen]

Hello Richard!

Looking forward to test your engine.

Here's your new beauty in action:

[Elorejano]

Hi, Richard!
Why Critter needs gtb.dll?
In uci options seems that gtb use are not allowed..
Are there any site to download gtb.dll?
Or are in alpha state?
Thanks in advance

[rvida]

Any plans for a linux compile? I - and I bet many more people here - would love a linux version. (Or maybe the source...)

There is some unportable windows specific code which needs to be rewritten first (mostly the threading stuff). But the windows compile runs just fine under linux + wine.

Richard