FREEWARE: Group 1- Entrants and Start Time!

[geots]

Entrants:
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Group 1
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1.Critter 1.6a 64-bit
2.Stockfish 2.3.1 pcnt x64
3.Strelka 5.5 x64
4.Ivanhoe 46h x64
5.RobboLito 0.21Q x64 SSE4.2
6.DeepSaros ver.3.2 pcnt x64
7.Fire 2.2b xTreme GH x64
8.Bouquet_1.6 pop64
9.BlackMamba 1.0 x64 SSE42
10.IvanHoe 50kQ x64 SSE4.2
11.Gull II beta2 x64
12.Sting SF 2_VE 64bit

Start time- Tonight



A couple of points: I went about this seriously. I was intrigued with BlackMamba as compared to some other derivatives. The seemingly low kNs count as compared to some others- led me to believe this was for sure no copy and paste deal. And they readily admitted where it started, and freely answered all questions. So I contacted someone I trust implicitly on this clone/ derivative situation. I told him what I needed to know, and this is what he returned with. Only name changes to protect the innocent and the possibly guilty as well:

"It is only one core, and is based on Robbolito, Fire and IvanHoe

-the author gives an acknowledgement on his home page.

Unlike others we've already spoken about, it's more than just a code recompile with names changed...

He's added several new features which show programming skill:

adjustable playing strength

support for polyglot opening books

support for Gaviota tablebases

load and save hash content

Black Mamba is more deserving than blank, blank and blank
IMHO."



Sincerely,

John Doe


Of the 3 "blanks" he refers to- 2 are in this RR. And will stay. The third is not entered. One of the "blanks" I will likely cut my ties with when this Freeware tournament ends.

As for the Ivanhoes, 46h has proven to be the strongest 1CPU 64-bit version. It stays. But lately IvanHoe 50kQ has entered the scene- a compile by Quocvuong. He readily admits "it is what it is"- an Ivanhoe compile. Nothing more- nothing less. That is fair. And of the 10 or 12 50-game matches I have run with it- it has so far proven to be soundly stronger than 46h. At any rate- a good addition.

In summary- as I said- there is one engine here that I will likely cut my ties with after this tournament. But there are no cash prizes- and the idea is to recognize and honor the freewares and their authors- this is certainly not the place or the time to ignite a controversy with any of them.



Best,

george

[geots]

There is one important last minute change. Most all the other 13 RRs were 2 cycle with 16 entrants, which = 240 games.

With this being the top group- Group 1- with 12 entrants, a 2 cycle would = 132 games. So I have decided to go with a 4 cycle = 264 games. Very manageable, and only 24 more games than a 2 cycle 16-entrant field.


Best-

george

[Carlos777]

Why dont you include Komodo 3 and Houdini 1.5a? They are free and can hang up with the rest of the group. Just an idea.

Thanks for all the tournaments.

[geots]

Why dont you include Komodo 3 and Houdini 1.5a? They are free and can hang up with the rest of the group. Just an idea.

Thanks for all the tournaments.

You missed the rules I set down at the beginning of the first RR. I think a lot of people did. Basically this was it: If an engine is commercial, it cannot play- and none of its versions prior to going commercial will be allowed either. I tried to toe the line as best I could. I did not allow Komodo 3, but did allow Doch, the predecessor to Komodo, in Group 2. This meant that Houdini 1.5a could not play, and neither could any of the early Rybkas or betas. I felt this was being more fair to all the other entrants- and would make for a more exciting RR.

And I do thank you for your interest. (Group 1 is beginning as we speak.)



Best,

george