WCCC 2024 participants are announced

[crem]

GridChess using Fritz
Johnny
Leela Chess Zero
Raptor
rofChade
Shashchess
Stoofvlees
Tech 4
Tornado

[lucametehau]

From trashing on Rybka, to accepting an SF clone. Just disappointing

[Moderation] Note that Shashchess is a derivative or fork, not a clone. Please refrain from inaccurate terminology that could be considered offensive.

[noobpwnftw]

Maybe that is why we call things end with a blast.
Don't you see it is exceptionally entertaining that they'll end their entire episode with a slap on their own face?
I'd rather not whine now and have history written as it is, and soon we'll get this over with.

[Guenther]

From trashing on Rybka, to accepting an SF clone. Just disappointing :D

Horrible decision...

[Rebel]

What a dramatic change with the past, glad I am not going.

[Modern Times]

Derivative engines have always been allowed to participate I think, as long as it was declared on the entry form ?

[Rebel]

Derivative engines have always been allowed to participate I think, as long as it was declared on the entry form ?

True, but even so only with permission of the original author, SF in this case.

The question to the Shashchess programmer is if he got permission.

[Rebel]

Reported by amchess « Mon Sep 02, 2024 10:47 pm
The post is a slander: ShashChess is a derivative not a clone of Stockfish, as evidenced by its code and several articles explaining the various underlying ideas that make it different from the original.
I ask the moderators to intervene.

------

I am sorry friend but you have to answer some questions first.

1. Did you inform the ICGA that ShashChess is a derivative on the entry form?

2. Did you get permission from SF team?

[Graham Banks]

Reported by amchess « Mon Sep 02, 2024 10:47 pm
The post is a slander: ShashChess is a derivative not a clone of Stockfish, as evidenced by its code and several articles explaining the various underlying ideas that make it different from the original.
I ask the moderators to intervene.

------

I am sorry friend but you have to answer some questions first.

1. Did you inform the ICGA that ShashChess is a derivative on the entry form?

2. Did you get permission from SF team?

I believe that he did both of those.

[Graham Banks]

ShashChess description for the WCCC

ShashChess is a GPL-licensed chess engine derived from Stockfish, featuring the following enhancements:
Shashin Theory: Utilizes position classification based on the theory developed by renowned nuclear physicist and pioneer chess instructor Alexander Shashin, alongside the WDL model. This approach aims to guide search direction and mitigate the effects of selectivity techniques. Classification can also be configured at engine startup if the position has already been classified.
R-learning: Implements both standard reinforcement learning (based on the score of individual moves) and Q-learning (or Self-learning, based on the game result).
ChessDB Livebook Integration: Connects to the ChessDB Livebook for game’s phases assistance.
Experimental Monte Carlo Tree Search: Introduces a hybrid approach where the main thread uses Alpha-Beta pruning, and a configurable number of additional threads utilize MCTS.
Standard Play Variety without Elo Loss: Allows the engine to not always choose top lines of equal strength, either for psychological play to simulate human-like aggression or for more varied gameplay without compromising Elo rating.

//Da eliminare da qui in poi per la wccc, ma utile per descrivere Alexander sinteticamente
There is also a human-centric version of ShashChess called Alexander, which:
Uses a classic evaluation function instead of NNUE to simulate the playing strength through a different thinking system.
Allows importing avatar files to simulate individual playing styles.
Supports handicapped depth play to emulate the intuition of players at various levels.
Includes psychological variety to simulate the typical “bluffing” of psychological players.