Vajolet2 2.8 release

[elcabesa]

Thanks for the release, Marco.

While it may be a minor issue, I would like to ask you to clarify whether its version is 2.8 or 2.8.0. You announce it here as 2.8 but the engine itself says 2.8.0.

I'm currently using a semantic versioninig scheme. Third number is "PATCH version when you make backwards compatible bug fixes."
So I informally call this version 2.8 but the complete number is 2.8.0, just the same happened with 2.7.0.
2.6.0 had 2 patches release after the first release, so you can find 2.6.1 and 2.6.2

[Modern Times]

With pleasure I'd like to announce the release of Vajolet2 2.8.

Notable features of this release are the ability to play Fisher Random Chess

I look forward to trying it out !

[Gabor Szots]

Thanks for the release, Marco.

While it may be a minor issue, I would like to ask you to clarify whether its version is 2.8 or 2.8.0. You announce it here as 2.8 but the engine itself says 2.8.0.

I'm currently using a semantic versioninig scheme. Third number is "PATCH version when you make backwards compatible bug fixes."
So I informally call this version 2.8 but the complete number is 2.8.0, just the same happened with 2.7.0.
2.6.0 had 2 patches release after the first release, so you can find 2.6.1 and 2.6.2

So a patch does not affect playing strength, right?

[elcabesa]

it depends, vajolet2 2.6.1 wes released with a minor patch because vajolet2 2.6.0 crashed under tcec conditions (>40 threads). but the overall strenght was the same

[Modern Times]

For info, the standard x64 exe does not work on a Phenom II X6, which does have popcount support but not full SSE4.2 support. The "old" exe has to be used on that machine which is presumably slower. I suspect this may be a compilation issue - for example the Stockfish "modern" exe works on this machine, and engines like Komodo for example recognise and use the popcount support. The standard exe works on an FX8350 which has full SSE4.2 support.

[elcabesa]

For info, the standard x64 exe does not work on a Phenom II X6

sorry to hear that
those are the requirements for vajolet executable:
standard: sse4.2 64 bit popcnt
old: sse3 64 bit
bmi: sse4.2, 64 bit, bmi, bmi2, popcnt

[Modern Times]

For info, the standard x64 exe does not work on a Phenom II X6

sorry to hear that
those are the requirements for vajolet executable:

standard: sse4.2 64 bit popcnt
old: sse3 64 bit
bmi: sse4.2, 64 bit, bmi, bmi2, popcnt

OK then that does explain - the Phenom II X6 does support popcnt but not SSE4.2. Some other authors do mange to compile for popcnt support without requiring SSE4.2 support but I doubt it make much difference anyway.

[AlexChess]

Hi Marco,

could you please compile Vajolet 2.8 also for mac (preferably Silicon M1, but ok also for Intel x64) ?

Sto usando la versione 2.61 mac e vorrei provare le migliorie.

Grazie,
AlexChess, Italy

[elcabesa]

Ciao Alex,

sorry for the delay, I really don't know how to compile for mac