New engine releases & news H1 2026

[Frank Quisinsky]

Raphael 3.0
https://github.com/Orbital-Web/Raphael
by Rei Meguro (Japan, USA)

Halogen 16
https://github.com/KierenP/Halogen/
by Kieren Pearson, Australia

Rusty-Rival 1.0.29
https://github.com/chris-moreton/rusty-rival
by Chris Moreton, England

It is always better to point out engine updates than to tell others what they should or should not do. I find that presumptuous, or am I mistaken? It simply does not go down well. Always keep in mind the different characters, fan clubs and so on that are out and about here.

[Carbec]

Zangdar version 6.1

This is a correction , and "should" gain a little against version 6.

https://github.com/Carbecq/Zangdar/releases/tag/v6.1

[AdminX]

Hi Brendan,

I think your project is a nice idea, to have an engine that plays 'human-like' with realtime annotation comments. I downloaded the src code (luckily before you deleted the project) and have been tinkering with it to get it to a somewhat useable/playable state.

Download fixed src code here with Windows executable here:
https://drive.proton.me/urls/AZBWR4SW84#mlX0vmx0VG6l

I apologize for some the nasty comments of some users on here and hope you will consider continuing with the project,

regards,
Jim.

Hi Jim,

I downloaded your file and was able to build a Linux version of HumanChessEngine.

Thank you and Thanks Brendan!

[Andres Valverde]

Caligula 6.0 released
New NN arch, bigger arch, trained with 240 Mpos more than 5.0 (Total 760 Mpos)
No changes in search
Linux version included (Thanks to Jim Ablett ! ) , I couldnt test it so any feedback will be appreciated.

https://sites.google.com/view/dirtychess/dirtychess

[Damir]

Hi Andres

Thanks a lot for the engine.

Any possibility for more than just 1 Thread ?

[Frank Quisinsky]

For Philippe:
Zangdar 6.1 works here (ETOC-G test-run is still running) without any problems!
Looks like to: "Lieutenant Colonel" after 430 games
https://www.amateurschach.de/main/_engines.htm
Strong, very strong!

Tcheran 11.0
https://github.com/tcheran-chess/tcheran
by Jonathan Gilchrist (England)

[Frank Quisinsky]

Minke 5.0.0
https://github.com/enfmarinho/Minke
by Eduardo Marinho, Brazil

[ericlangedijk]

chessnix 1.3 is there.

Estimated ELO: 3150-3200
release: https://github.com/ericlangedijk/chessn ... es/tag/1.3
home: https://github.com/ericlangedijk/chessnix

Quite curious what it will do on CCRL.
Plays chess960 too.
Thanks.

[Werner]

Zangdar version 6.1
This is a correction , and "should" gain a little against version 6.
https://github.com/Carbecq/Zangdar/releases/tag/v6.1

Zangdar 6.1 uses always over 1GB even when I set hash to 32MB

[Carbec]

Zangdar 6.1 uses always over 1GB even when I set hash to 32MB

Hi,

Indeed. Its a problem, and Zangdar should not use this amount.
I will look at this, and will make a correction soon
Thanks for your help in testing.

Philippe