Komodo 13 released
Posted: Tue May 07, 2019 1:05 am
Komodo 13.01 has been released at komodochess.com. Elo gains since the last release, version 12.3, are about ten elo in standard mode, 30 elo in MCTS single thread mode, and over 40 elo in MCTS multi-thread mode. Since the last annual version, Komodo 12, elo gains in MCTS mode are in the 300 to 400 elo range depending on time control and number of threads. We predict that the MCTS version will earn a rating around 3440 on CCRL blitz, and that on most lists it will be ahead of all other CPU engines except for Stockfish, normal Komodo, and Houdini.
While the default mode is still the strongest one for engine vs engine play, the MCTS mode is now stronger whenever MultiPV is set to 2 or more. Since most people use MultiPV for analysis and since the MCTS mode tends to produce more "human" moves because it does not assume that the opponent will play perfectly (by its criteria), we feel that the MCTS mode is now the more useful one for the majority of users, except perhaps for correspondence players. According to my tests, Komodo 13.01 MCTS can now defeat any CPU based engine, including recent Stockfish, if both are set to use MultiPV of 6 or more. This is because Komodo MCTS pays no performance penalty for obtaining this information, while normal alpha-beta engines pay a very heavy price to give analysis for several moves. For users who don't have a good GPU and who use high values of MultiPV, Komodo 13 MCTS should be the strongest engine available regardless of price.
Pricing remains the same (free for subscribers), and we give 20% discount for anyone who bought Komodo 12 or later version or any subscription that included Komodo 12. We have now made Komodo 10 free, and have made Komodo 11 available at a 70% discount. Anyone who bought Komodo 12.3 on or after April 15 can get a free upgrade to Komodo 13.01 on request.
We anticipate continued development of both versions, which may be separated at some future date. Subscribers will get both for a year. Our priority is the MCTS version, but we often find ideas that help both versions. The gap between them is getting rather small (see chess.com computer chess championship to illustrate) and there is no theoretical reason why Komodo MCTS can't pass normal Komodo even without MultiPV use.
While the default mode is still the strongest one for engine vs engine play, the MCTS mode is now stronger whenever MultiPV is set to 2 or more. Since most people use MultiPV for analysis and since the MCTS mode tends to produce more "human" moves because it does not assume that the opponent will play perfectly (by its criteria), we feel that the MCTS mode is now the more useful one for the majority of users, except perhaps for correspondence players. According to my tests, Komodo 13.01 MCTS can now defeat any CPU based engine, including recent Stockfish, if both are set to use MultiPV of 6 or more. This is because Komodo MCTS pays no performance penalty for obtaining this information, while normal alpha-beta engines pay a very heavy price to give analysis for several moves. For users who don't have a good GPU and who use high values of MultiPV, Komodo 13 MCTS should be the strongest engine available regardless of price.
Pricing remains the same (free for subscribers), and we give 20% discount for anyone who bought Komodo 12 or later version or any subscription that included Komodo 12. We have now made Komodo 10 free, and have made Komodo 11 available at a 70% discount. Anyone who bought Komodo 12.3 on or after April 15 can get a free upgrade to Komodo 13.01 on request.
We anticipate continued development of both versions, which may be separated at some future date. Subscribers will get both for a year. Our priority is the MCTS version, but we often find ideas that help both versions. The gap between them is getting rather small (see chess.com computer chess championship to illustrate) and there is no theoretical reason why Komodo MCTS can't pass normal Komodo even without MultiPV use.