contact address or email of Steen Suurballe

[mclane]

The strength of Gandalf came from building king attacks out of nothing.
The program tried to attack and did not see this in the tree.
It knew how to group the pieces statically and used this knowledge for making
Strange moves the treesearch programs would not have played or seen.

So I would say Gandalf was able to plan !


E.g.

https://chessprogramming.wikispaces.com/IPCCC+1998

Chess tiger could have won the tournament.
But the game against Gandalf, where Gandalf created a king attack out of nowhere, stopped tiger from winning the tournament.

I was operating tiger therefore I remember the game...

[pgn][Event "7th IPCCC 1998 Paderborn"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.02.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Chess Tiger"]
[Black "Gandalf"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4 a5
9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O 15. Nc3
Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5 21. Bb2 Qe6
22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4 27. Qe7 Be4 28.
Re2 Qf6 29. Bc4+ Kh8 30. Qxf6 Rxf6 31. Rd2 Ne5 32. Be2 Rff8 33. Kh2 Bf3 34. Bb5
Bd5 35. Be2 f4 36. gxf4 Rxf4 37. Kg3 Rdf8 38. Ba3 d3 39. Bh5 Rf3+ 40. Kh2 R8f5
41. Rc8+ Bg8 42. Be8 Bxf2 43. Bd6 R3f4 44. Rxd3 Rxh4+ 45. Kg2 Nxd3 46. Nxf2
Nxf2 47. Bd7 Ne4 48. Bxf5 Nxd6 49. Rxg8+ Kxg8 50. Be6+ 0-1[/pgn]

The 2 black bishops kill the white king position , but the center is blocked with pawns. By moving the pawns away the bishops attack.
No other proam would have seen this. Humans see it. I saw the danger coming and I knew chess tiger did not recognize the danger. And when the search tree of tiger saw it, it was too late.

Look position after move 23. Queen is on h6. Knight on g4 attacks, and both bishops ready to rock the position.

Move 25...d4

Now the bishop has reached the goal of destruction. White position is without any defense.
The pawns have moved forward, center is open and the bishops rule the diagonals plus queen and knight attack the king.

This is what I mean.
Gandalf knew it was good to do all the manouevers when the center was blocked.

[Frank Quisinsky]

Hi Thorsten,

yes, the main reason why Gandalf is such a nice program. More or less a second search the program used for it, I wrote before.

But after my testing ...
Only if many pieces are on the board.

With lesser pieces on board I think other engines are stronger at this time.

Best
Frank

[Frank Quisinsky]

Gandalf 4.32f by Steen Suurballe and Dan Wulff
 
Index

Introduction
With the purchase of Gandalf 4.32f you have aquired one of the strongest chessprograms in the world. Steen Suurballe and Dan Wulff have been working on this project for approx. 9 years. Dan Wulff is responsible for the opening book and is known by a lot of people as the operator of Gandalf at various computerchess tournaments. The playing strength of Gandalf, used with standard hardware (Intel Pentium III 600 MHz, AMD Athlon 600 MHz), is approx. 2.600 ELO ! Gandalf has a positional playing style with emphasis on attack. The specially prepared opening book used by Gandalf is one of the reasons for its great playing strength. Gandalf  uses the endgame files by Nalimov. Further information about the Nalimov endgame files can be aquired at your local dealer specialising in computerchess.
Gambit-Soft have startet a „WinBoard Collection“ with the introduction of Gandalf, and further designated „WinBoard Engines“ or „WinBoard CD's“ are planned.
Gandalf will be offered for purchase as a so-called „WinBoard Engine“ without its own GUI (GUI = Graphical User Interface).
 
 
WinBoard engine advantages
The programmer can concentrate on improving the „actual chessprogram“ instead of devoting attention to the actual GUI as well.
A „WinBoard engine“ is comparable to a modular system.
The WinBoard engine Gandalf will work under all commercial programs with WinBoard support.
Examples listed alphabetically:
Chess Academy 2000
Chess Assistant 5.1
Chess-Base GUIs
Millennium Chess System
And so on ...
WinBoard engine disadvantages
It is heard frequently, from different sources, that „WinBoard engines“ are complicated to integrate into other systems. This is because of the 60 freely available programs, most of which differ when it comes to their parameters, making configuration quite complicated. In this document there will be a thorough explanation regarding the configuration of Gandalf.
Examples of websites related to this subject:
Gambit-Soft, Phase X
Frank`s Chess Page
And so on ...
 
1.1 Note
This CD doesn't contain any GUI.
The freely available WinBoard GUI offers the possibility of using 60 different chessprograms. WinBoard is a program by Tim Mann and is used by approx. 80-100 different chessprograms worldwide.
 
 
1.2 Sources
Steen Suurballe (Website)
WinBoard von Tim Mann
(4.1.0, latest version)
Gambit-Soft (Website)
Chess-Base (Website, the WinBoard adapter for Chess-Base GUIs is on the CD)
Frank`s Chess Page (News, configuration, downloads, tournaments and more)
 
1.3 Content of CD
Gandalf_432f.exe
20.09.00
385.024 bytes
DBchs.dat
18.09.00 Opening book
8.360.723 bytes
DBchs.key
01.06.98 Book data
28.266 bytes
DBchs.nam
01.06.98 Book data
75.361 bytes
Gandalf4.res
---.---.--- Configuration *1
 
Gandalf_432f.init
---.---.--- Configuration *2
 
Gandalf_432f.eng
27.07.00 WinBoard Adapter
22.016 bytes
 
 
 
Eugene Nalimov
Endgame files
3-4 piece, some 5-piece
Helpfiles !
HTML
 
Frank Quisinsky
computerchess games
games in PGN / CBH format
Gandalf 3.0 MS DOS
 
 
Matthias Wüllenweber, Chess-Base GmbH, gave his permission for the WinBoard adapter to be included on the Gandalf CD.
*1 Here you configure various options inherent to the usage of Gandalf.
*2 Configuration file for use with Gandalf under Chess-Base GUIs !
 
Alternatively it's possible to copy the relevant setup to harddisk
(Setup for WinBoard, setup for Chess-Base GUIs and setup for Nalimov endgame tables).
 
 
1.4 Registration / Updates
It is intended to offer the possibility that registered users can aquire program updates free of charge by e-mail. For this purpose there will be an e-mail available on Gambit-Soft‘s website, under the title „Gandalf 4.32f registration“. Don‘t forget to give your complete address. If that isn‘t the case, send a request to Gambit-Soft.
 
 
1.5 Copy Protection
 Gandalf does not contain any copy protection.
 
 
1.6 Copyright
Gandalf is licensed to the respective buyers. They have the right to create safety copies or make a backup. Distribution of Gandalf data to others is illegal and will result in the initiation of legal action against the culprite.
© Copyright
Gandalf, e-mail: Steen Suurballe, Denmark
Opening book, e-mail: Dan Wulff, Denmark
Help files, e-mail: Steen Suurballe, Denmark & Frank Quisinsky, Germany
German / English translation: Website: Mogens Chr. Larsen, Denmark
German / French translation: Website: Patrick Buchmann, France
English / Spanish translation: Website: Sergio Martinez, Spain
A copy of the original, even if it isn't complete, requires a permission from the author !

Steen Suurballe (Gandalf) and Roland Pfister (Patzer) during WC 1996 in Jakarta !
 
 
1.7 Configuration
The WinBoard engine Gandalf is capable of running under other commercial products. It would be too comprehensive to describe the configuration necessary for the GUI's available in this short introduction.. More informationen can be found in the respective help files. Also the project Phase X (joint project by Gambit-Soft and Frank Quisinsky) offers relevant information.
The English readme.htm by author Steen Suurballe:
 
 
1.8 Elaboration / explanation
To facilitate easy use of the chess program Gandalf, it's advised to download a version of the GUI WinBoard. As far as the configuration of WinBoard itself is concerned, the file „WinBoard.ini“ contains the various parameters necessary to accomplish that. After the WinBoard Setup is completed you'll find no WinBoard.iniin the WinBoard directory. This file will be created automatically the first time you start WinBoard and then you can make the desired alterations.
In the case of WinBoard engines there's a defined division between parameters for the GUI and parameters for the engine itself (eg. Gandalf). With GUI's from Chess-Base GmbH it is necessary to place the  parameters for the GUI in a separate *.init configuration file for each engine.
Gandalf needs a parameter as well for Configuration.
Parameter = xboard
Special parameter for Chess-Base GUIs = nodebug xfritz
 
 
1.9 „Parameter“ WinBoard.ini !
         WinBoard example
After installing WinBoard 4.0.7 in the directory c:\WinBoard you‘ll find the the following entries for the integrated versions of GnuChess (4.14 and 5.0) in the WinBoard.ini.
"
/firstChessProgramNames="GNUChess
\"GNUChes5 xboard\"
"
/secondChessProgramNames="GNUChess
\"GNUChes5 xboard\"
"
Execute the Gandal setup after installing WinBoard succesfully. After the Gandalf installation you'll find a subdirectory under c:\WinBoard called c:\WinBoard\Gandalf. Alternatively, you can create the directory yourself and copy the relevant files from the CD. Now add the commandline for Gandalf to the WinBoard.ini. After the configuration of Gandalf the following lines should be contained in the WinBoard.ini:.
"
/firstChessProgramNames="GNUChess
\"GNUChes5 xboard\"
\"Gandalf_432f xboard\" /fd=c:\\WinBoard\\Gandalf
"
/secondChessProgramNames="GNUChess
\"GNUChes5 xboard\"
\"Gandalf_432f xboard\" /sd=c:\\WinBoard\\Gandalf
"
Make sure that the directories are defined correctly, ie. check spelling and path. As an example there's a copy of the WinBoard.ini on your Gandalf CD! The necessary options for WinBoard.ini are almost identical for all chessprograms under WinBoard. The change from engine to engine is mostly minor differences regarding variables and/or parameters !
For modifications to the configuration files it is sufficient to use a normal texteditor, eg. Notepad for Windows.
Gandalf is now available for selection with WinBoard Startup Dialog as an alternative to the GnuChess programs. On the internet you can find additional WinBoard engines and install them in a similar way.
 
 
2.0 „Parameter“ Gandalf_432f.init !
         Chess-Base GmbH GUI example
Gandalf_432f.init
[Parameter]
CommandLine = nodebug xfritz xboard
Engine      = Gandalf 4.32f
Author      = Steen Suurballe / Dan Wulff, Denmark
Debug       = False
[Support]
AnalyzeMode = True
PonderMode  = False
CastleAndEP = False
The parameters necessary for WinBoard engines, and special commands related to their operation under Chess-Base Gui's, must be added after the commandline entry in the *.init configuration file. The special commandline options created by the programmer Steen Suurballe for Gandalf, besides the standard parameter xboard, are xfritz(only necessary for engine-engine matches) and nodebug (essential).
 
 
2.1 „Adapter“ Gandalf_432f.eng !
         Chess-Base GmbH GUI example
In the same directory, alongside Gandalf_432f.init, an adapter is necessary for Gandalf to operate under Chess-Base Gui's. The adapter with the name Gandalf_432f.engis also located on the CD. Here it's appropriate with a special thanks to Chess-Base, particularly Mathias Feist and Matthias Wüllenweber for their assistance.
This is how the directory structure of Gandalf under the Chess-Base GUI's should look like:
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f.eng
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\Gandalf_432f.exe
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\Gandalf_432f.init
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\Gandalf4.res
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\DBchs.dat
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\DBchs.key
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\DBchs.nam
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\Empty.ctb
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\Empty.ctg
C:\CBase\Fritz6\Engines\Gandalf_432f\Empty.cto
By this example Fritz 6 has been installed in the directory c:\CBase\Fritz6. In the Fritz directory there's an Engines subdirectory ! The adapter „Gandalf_432f.eng“must be copied to that directory alongside a subdirectory by the name of Gandalf_432f. Naturally, this subdirectory contains Gandalf_432f.exe, Gandalf_432f.init, and Gandalf_432f.eng. That is, the same names, but a different dataformat.. Furthermore, the Gandalf opening book data (3 files, DBchs.*) and an empty opening book in Chess-Base format (3 files, Empty.*) can be placed in the Chess-Base Engines / Gandalf directory.
 
 
2.2 „Gandalf Configuration“ Gandalf4.res !
The configurationen of Gandalf itself is controlled with the Gandalf4.res file.
LEARNING 1
DRAW 6 50
CONTEMPT 0
RESIGN 7 6
TB f:\nalimov
BOOKPATH c:\WinBoard\Gandalf
HASH 56
TBCACHE 8
The example is taken from an ongoing tournament by Frank Quisinsky.
Learning =  1 (on) or 0 (off)!
Draw = If the score after the 50. move is close to 0.00 for 6 consecutive moves, Gandalf will offer a draw.
Resign =  If the score is below –7.00 for 6 consecutive moves Gandalf resigns.
TB = Directory for Nalimov endgame files. The complete 4-piece and some 5-piece tables is located on the CD. If you copy these files to a particular directory, eg. f:\nalimov, you need to make sure that the tbpath in Gandalf4.res is correct.
Bookpath = A very important parameter. If you use Gandalf under different GUI's, eg. WinBoard or Young Talents by Chess-Base, you don't have to use different copies of the book for both. It is sufficient to set the path in Gandalf4.res.
Hash = Size of hash tables !
TBCache = Unless you have the complete 5-piece tables, 8Mb for tbcache should be enough for Gandalf. If you only use  the 4-piece set,  4Mb is sufficient.
 
 
2.3 „Opening book and Tablebases“
      under Chess-Base GUI's !
A small peculiarity for use with Chess-Base GUI's. Gandalf can use it's own book. Please create an empty book with the name Empty.ctg (eg. with Fritz 6, access window under File / New / Openings Book). Copy the three bookfiles Empty.ctb, Empty.ctg and Empty.cto to the Gandalf directory  c:\CBase\Engines\Gandalf_432f\ (alternatively there's a copy of the files on the Gandalf CD).
Deactivate the following settings:
01. Use book
02. Tournament book
in the window under Edit / Openings Book/ Book Options.
If you don't follow this approach various error messages might appear during use under Chess-Base GUI's.
Tablebase use is controlled by Gandalf. Deactivate „Use tablebases“ in the Load engine window. Gandalf will use the Nalimov endgame files if the path in Gandalf4.reshas been set correctly.
 
 
2.4 „Other GUI's“ !
Finally it is worth mentioning that several commercial products supports the use of WinBoard engines. The specific configurations differ from program to program, because of the different concepts applied and their intended area of usage.
Examples of commercial GUI's that supports WinBoard engines:
Bookup 2000
Chess Academy 2000 from Version 5.0
Chess Assistant from Version 5.0 (Convekta Ltd.)
Various Chess-Base GUIs: Fritz 5-32, Fritz 6, Junior 5.0, Junior 6.0, Hiarcs 7-32, Nimzo 99, Nimzo 7-32, Nimzo 8.0, Youg Talents,
Chess-Base 7.0, Chess-Base 8.0
Chess Partner
Chessvision
Millennium Chess System
Have fun with Gandalf …
Steen Suurballe and Dan Wulff
Readme files created by:
Steen Suurballe, Mogens Chr. Larsen, Patrick Buchmann, Sergio Martinez, Gambit-Soft and Frank Quisinsky !

[Frank Quisinsky]

Code: Select all

Readme file by Gandalf`s programmer Steen Suurballe !
 
 
Gandalf 4.32f WinBoard engine
This release of Gandalf is a pure WinBoard engine.
Gandalf 4.32f plays positional attack chess and uses a speculative attack function to determine when to attack. But Gandalf also handles quiet positions and the endgame phase very well. The opening book contains 1.2 million unique positions highly optimized for Gandalf 4.32f.
You need Tim Mann's WinBoard interface (WinBoard 4.1.0 is included on this CD):
http://research.compaq.com/SRC/personal/Tim_Mann/chess.html
Or commercial GUIs, before you can start playing.
This CD included separate directorys for:
a) Gandalf 432f WinBoard engine and the latest opening book.
b) WinBoard 4.1.0 by Tim Mann !
b) Nalimov endgame files (3,4 and some 5 piece).
    For Gandalf 3 the older Nalimov 4-piece endgame files.
c) Files for Chess-Base interface.
d) Frank Quisinsky`s computer chess database in PGN and CBH.
e) The previous version of Gandalf, MS DOS Gandalf 3.0 with the older Gandalf 3 opening book !
 
 
Installation of Gandalf 4.32f WinBoard Engine
Copy the Gandalf files in your WinBoard directory.
 
 
To play with the WinBoard interface
See the help file and examples given with the WinBoard download on how to attach the Gandalf 432f engine to the WinBoard interface. There is included a WinBoard.ini file which you can copy to your WinBoard installation directory.
You can also play on ICS / FICS with Gandalf 4.32f (also see WinBoard help files).
NOTE:
If you add ics to the commandline for server play, Gandalf will whisper/kibitz the opening played and later its evaluation of the position.
 
 
Installation of Nalimov endgame files
Copy the Nalimov files in your tablebase directory.
 
 
Installation of Fritz interface
1) Copy the Gandalf files in your Chess-Base engines directory.
2) Edit Gandalf4.res so BOOKPATH point to your "gandalf-installation" directory.
3) Edit Gandalf4.res so TB point to your "gandalf-installation\tb" (or your nalimov) directory.
4) In Fritz: 
    - disable "Use Book" and disable "Tournament Book" under the "Book-options" when you "edit" Gandalf_432f from the list of engines in a match.
       then Fritz 6 (i dont think Fritz 5.32 does this?) will display "No Book" in book choice.
       If you encounter problems try this :
       Attach the "empty" book (found in your engines\gandalf_432f directory) to Gandalf. Fritz should display "empty" in Book Choice Gandalf will
       (in both cases) then use its own book which is preferred.
    - also disable "Use Tablebases". Gandalf handles this by itself.
       PS: I have noticed that in the "Invite Engine" window (tournament mode) the engine you "Edit" is not always highlighted.
             Gandalf 432f MUST be highlighted when "Edit"!
    When using its own book, Gandalf displays "0.00/1" after its book moves in the game list window.
5) The Gandalf_432f.init file:
    a) For engine matches (default) 2'nd line should read:
        CommandLine = nodebug xfritz xboard
    b) For manual play 2'nd line should read:
        CommandLine = nodebug xboard
Now Gandalf 432f appears in the engines list and is available for playing.
NOTE:
Since this is a WinBoard engine it is NOT 100% certain that all "Fritz options" works under this interface !
 
 
Installation of Frank Quisinsky database
Copy the database files in your database directory.
 
 
Installation of Gandalf 3.0
Copy the Gandalf 3.0 files on your harddisk.
 
 
Gandalf4.res settings
Default is:
LEARNING 1                    --> Learning enabled.
DRAW 6 50                     --> If abs &#40;score&#41;<= CONTEMPT for six consecutive moves after move 50 then offer a draw.
CONTEMPT 0                    --> The contempt factor.
RESIGN 7 6                    --> Resign if the score is less than -7.00 for six consecutive moves.
TB c&#58;\winboard\gandalf\tb\    --> Path to the Nalimov endgame files.
BOOKPATH c&#58;\winboard\gandalf\ --> Path to the dbchs.dat file &#40;opening book&#41;.
HASH 32                       --> 32 Mb of memory to hashtables &#40;valid numbers are &#58; 4, 8, 16, 20, 32, 56 and 104&#41;.
TBCACHE 8                     --> 8 Mb of memory to cach the Nalimov files.
Recommended setting for memory use&#58;
PC with <  32 MB &#58; HASH   8 TBCACHE  2
PC with    32 MB &#58; HASH  16 TBCACHE  4
PC with    64 MB &#58; HASH  32 TBCACHE  8
PC with   128 MB &#58; HASH  56 TBCACHE 16
PC with > 128 MB &#58; HASH 104 TBCACHE 32
Don't hesitate to Mail if you have any questions to&#58;
Enjoy!

[Frank Quisinsky]

Code: Select all

Gandalf 4.32f plays positional attack chess and uses a speculative attack function to determine when to attack. But Gandalf also handles quiet positions and the endgame phase very well. The opening book contains 1.2 million unique positions highly optimized for Gandalf 4.32f. 

So what I mean or Thorsten worte here ...

Best
Frank

[MikeB]

The strength of Gandalf came from building king attacks out of nothing.
The program tried to attack and did not see this in the tree.
It knew how to group the pieces statically and used this knowledge for making
Strange moves the treesearch programs would not have played or seen.

So I would say Gandalf was able to plan !


E.g.

https://chessprogramming.wikispaces.com/IPCCC+1998

Chess tiger could have won the tournament.
But the game against Gandalf, where Gandalf created a king attack out of nowhere, stopped tiger from winning the tournament.

I was operating tiger therefore I remember the game...

[pgn][Event "7th IPCCC 1998 Paderborn"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.02.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Chess Tiger"]
[Black "Gandalf"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4 a5
9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O 15. Nc3
Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5 21. Bb2 Qe6
22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4 27. Qe7 Be4 28.
Re2 Qf6 29. Bc4+ Kh8 30. Qxf6 Rxf6 31. Rd2 Ne5 32. Be2 Rff8 33. Kh2 Bf3 34. Bb5
Bd5 35. Be2 f4 36. gxf4 Rxf4 37. Kg3 Rdf8 38. Ba3 d3 39. Bh5 Rf3+ 40. Kh2 R8f5
41. Rc8+ Bg8 42. Be8 Bxf2 43. Bd6 R3f4 44. Rxd3 Rxh4+ 45. Kg2 Nxd3 46. Nxf2
Nxf2 47. Bd7 Ne4 48. Bxf5 Nxd6 49. Rxg8+ Kxg8 50. Be6+ 0-1[/pgn]

The 2 black bishops kill the white king position , but the center is blocked with pawns. By moving the pawns away the bishops attack.
No other proam would have seen this. Humans see it. I saw the danger coming and I knew chess tiger did not recognize the danger. And when the search tree of tiger saw it, it was too late.

Look position after move 23. Queen is on h6. Knight on g4 attacks, and both bishops ready to rock the position.

Move 25...d4

Now the bishop has reached the goal of destruction. White position is without any defense.
The pawns have moved forward, center is open and the bishops rule the diagonals plus queen and knight attack the king.

This is what I mean.
Gandalf knew it was good to do all the manouevers when the center was blocked.

27.Qe7 was a huge mistake by Chess Tiger. 27.Rc6 would have been much better for white. Two games below with SF against Toga with both of those moves.

[pgn][Event "Computer Chess Game"]
[Site "Mac-Pro.local"]
[Date "2017.03.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "McBrain 2017 v1.4 64 POP"]
[Black "Toga II 3.0"]
[Result "1-0"]
[TimeControl "15+0"]
[Annotator "27. -0.70 27... +1.11"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4
a5 9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O
15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5
21. Bb2 Qe6 22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4
27. Rc6 {-0.70/18 1.1} Bxc6 {+1.11/10 0.1} 28. Rxc6 {+0.15/16 0.2} Rf6
{+0.83/12 0.4} 29. Bc1 {+0.21/15 0.1} d3 {+0.61/12 0.5} 30. Qe7
{+0.53/18 0.5} Rxc6 {-0.29/11 0.3} 31. Bxh6 {+0.58/18 0.2} Rxh6
{-0.38/11 0.2} 32. Bxd3 {+0.72/19 0.7} Rhd6 {-0.45/13 0.5} 33. Be2
{+0.58/19 0.7} Kh8 {-0.69/12 0.3} 34. Kg2 {+0.81/19 1.1} Nf6 {-0.26/13 0.4}
35. Ne3 {+0.75/20 0.5} R6d7 {-0.53/14 0.3} 36. Qe6 {+0.82/20 0.6} Bxe3
{-0.45/15 0.5} 37. Qxe3 {+1.06/18 0.2} Ne4 {-0.77/14 0.5} 38. g4
{+1.05/16 0.4} Nf6 {-0.79/12 0.4} 39. gxf5 {+1.22/15 0.1} Rd5
{-0.88/13 0.5} 40. Qf4 {+1.59/15 0.2} Rc5 {-0.88/13 0.4} 41. Bc4
{+1.67/18 0.4} h6 {-1.12/14 0.3} 42. Be6 {+1.73/18 0.7} Rc2 {-1.14/13 0.3}
43. b4 {+1.97/18 0.3} Re2 {-0.54/12 0.4} 44. Qc7 {+3.07/17 0.4} Rdd2
{-0.71/13 0.4} 45. Qb6 {+3.06/17 0.2} Kh7 {-1.32/9 0.3} 46. bxa5
{+3.17/16 0.3} Ne4 {-1.57/11 0.3} 47. Kf3 {+5.24/16 0.3} Rb2 {-1.99/11 0.2}
48. Qa7 {+5.16/15 0.1} Re1 {-2.25/10 0.3} 49. a6 {+6.72/18 0.4} h5
{-4.12/12 1.0} 50. Qd4 {+7.77/19 0.9} Rd2 {-5.09/12 0.3} 51. Qb6
{+8.20/17 0.3} Rd3+ {-5.10/11 0.2} 52. Kg2 {+8.58/17 0.2} Rdd1
{-5.20/11 0.4} 53. f6 {+8.66/17 0.1} Nxf6 {-10.29/13 5} 54. a7
{+9.18/20 0.2} Rxe6 {-10.78/12 0.2} 55. Qxe6 {+9.54/20 0.1} Rd8
{-10.96/13 0.2} 56. Qc6 {+9.76/21 0.2} Kg6 {-11.78/12 0.3} 57. a8=Q
{+127.32/18 0.3} Rxa8 {-11.80/12 0.2} 58. Qxa8 {+127.40/19 0.1} Nh7
{-21.22/12 2.9} 59. Qe4+ {+127.42/28 0.3} Kh6 {-17.62/9 0.1} 60. Qxh7+
{+127.43/29 0.1} Kxh7 {-9.76/4 0.1} 61. a5 {+127.44/35 0.3} Kg6
{-11.03/11 0.1} 62. a6 {+127.44/34 0.1} Kf5 {-11.09/11 0.1} 63. a7
{+127.45/35 0.3} g5 {-11.02/8 0.1} 64. hxg5 {+127.48/37 0.3} Kxg5
{-11.45/9 0.1} 65. a8=Q {+1000.12/24 0.2} h4 {-11.86/8 0.1} 66. Qf8
{+1000.07/32 0.4} Kg4 {-1000.09/10 0.1} 67. Qf6 {+1000.05/47 0.3} h3+
{-1000.05/63 0.1} 68. Kh2 {+1000.04/117 0.1} Kh5 {-1000.04/4 0.1} 69. Qg7
{+1000.03/127 0.1} Kh4 {-1000.02/4 0.1} 70. f4 {+1000.02/127 0.1} Kh5
{-1000.01/4 0.1} 71. Qg5# {+1000.01/127 0.1}
{White mates} 1-0

[Event "Computer Chess Game"]
[Site "Mac-Pro.local"]
[Date "2017.03.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "McBrain 2017 v1.4 64 POP"]
[Black "Toga II 3.0"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "15+0"]
[Annotator "27. -0.70 27... +1.20"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4
a5 9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O
15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5
21. Bb2 Qe6 22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4
27. Qe7 {-0.70/18 1.1} Bd5 {+1.20/11 0.4} 28. Rc6 {-2.21/19 1.5} Bxc6
{+1.83/13 0.4} 29. Rxc6 {-2.26/18 0.2} Qd2 {+1.82/14 0.4} 30. Qe2
{-1.90/18 0.2} Qxe2 {+1.86/13 0.1} 31. Bxe2 {-1.78/18 0.1} Rf6
{+1.96/14 0.4} 32. Bc4+ {-1.94/20 0.9} Kh8 {+1.94/14 0.4} 33. Rxf6
{-2.12/18 0.1} Nxf6 {+2.00/13 0.3} 34. Kf1 {-2.00/20 0.4} f4 {+1.93/13 0.3}
35. gxf4 {-1.42/18 0.3} d3 {+2.06/14 0.4} 36. Bxf6 {-1.36/20 0.5} gxf6
{+2.14/13 0.1} 37. Nb2 {-1.96/22 1.5} d2 {+2.12/16 0.3} 38. Ke2
{-2.00/22 0.9} Bd4 {+2.19/17 0.4} 39. Nd1 {-2.02/20 0.1} Bc5 {+2.09/17 0.4}
40. h5 {-2.04/22 0.7} Kg7 {+2.16/15 0.3} 41. Bd3 {-1.92/22 0.2} Bb4
{+2.18/16 0.4} 42. Ne3 {-2.05/21 0.1} Kh6 {+2.22/15 0.4} 43. Bc4
{-2.47/20 0.9} Kxh5 {+2.09/14 0.4} 44. Kd1 {-2.66/16 0.1} Kg6
{+2.93/13 0.3} 45. Bd5 {-3.04/22 2.4} h5 {+3.29/11 0.3} 46. Be4+
{-3.69/20 1.4} Kf7 {+3.45/14 0.3} 47. Nc2 {-3.75/21 0.3} Bc5 {+3.38/14 0.3}
48. f5 {-4.15/20 0.5} h4 {+4.13/14 0.3} 49. Bg2 {-4.28/17 0.1} Bxf2
{+4.39/15 0.4} 50. b4 {-4.67/20 0.4} axb4 {+4.95/13 0.3} 51. Nxb4
{-4.78/18 0.2} Be3 {+5.22/14 0.4} 52. Nc2 {-4.59/16 0.3} Bf4 {+7.55/14 0.4}
53. Bf3 {-10.85/17 0.5} h3 {+8.79/11 0.3} 54. Nb4 {-28.80/19 1.4} Rb8
{+10.40/14 0.4} 55. Bh5+ {-127.31/17 1.1} Kg7 {+14.67/10 0.3} 56. Nd5
{-127.42/18 0.2} h2 {+15.43/8 0.1} 57. Nxf4 {-1000.13/19 0.2} h1=Q+
{+16.82/10 0.3} 58. Kxd2 {-1000.11/19 0.1} Rb2+ {+1000.14/11 0.6} 59. Kd3
{-127.46/18 0.2} Qb1+ {+1000.10/11 1.0} 60. Kd4 {-127.45/18 0.2} Qg1+
{+1000.09/63 0.1} 61. Ke4 {-1000.08/24 0.3} Rb4+ {+1000.08/63 0.1} 62. Kf3
{-1000.07/24 0.1} Qf1+ {+1000.07/11 0.4} 63. Ke3 {-1000.06/26 0.1} Qxf4+
{+1000.06/12 0.2} 64. Ke2 {-1000.05/26 0.2} Rb2+ {+1000.05/15 0.2} 65. Kd3
{-1000.04/37 0.2} Rd2+ {+1000.04/28 0.1} 66. Kc3 {-1000.03/1 0.1} Qd4+
{+1000.03/63 0.1} 67. Kb3 {-1000.02/1 0.1} Rb2+ {+1000.02/63 0.1} 68. Ka3
{-1000.01/1 0.1} Qb4# {+1000.01/63 0.1}
{Black mates} 0-1[/pgn]

new users should click the ellipsis ( 3 dots upper left of the board ) to access the second game

[BrendanJNorman]

The strength of Gandalf came from building king attacks out of nothing.
The program tried to attack and did not see this in the tree.
It knew how to group the pieces statically and used this knowledge for making
Strange moves the treesearch programs would not have played or seen.

So I would say Gandalf was able to plan !


E.g.

https://chessprogramming.wikispaces.com/IPCCC+1998

Chess tiger could have won the tournament.
But the game against Gandalf, where Gandalf created a king attack out of nowhere, stopped tiger from winning the tournament.

I was operating tiger therefore I remember the game...

[pgn][Event "7th IPCCC 1998 Paderborn"]
[Site "?"]
[Date "1998.02.15"]
[Round "7"]
[White "Chess Tiger"]
[Black "Gandalf"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A07"]
[PlyCount "99"]
[EventDate "1998.??.??"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4 a5
9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O 15. Nc3
Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5 21. Bb2 Qe6
22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4 27. Qe7 Be4 28.
Re2 Qf6 29. Bc4+ Kh8 30. Qxf6 Rxf6 31. Rd2 Ne5 32. Be2 Rff8 33. Kh2 Bf3 34. Bb5
Bd5 35. Be2 f4 36. gxf4 Rxf4 37. Kg3 Rdf8 38. Ba3 d3 39. Bh5 Rf3+ 40. Kh2 R8f5
41. Rc8+ Bg8 42. Be8 Bxf2 43. Bd6 R3f4 44. Rxd3 Rxh4+ 45. Kg2 Nxd3 46. Nxf2
Nxf2 47. Bd7 Ne4 48. Bxf5 Nxd6 49. Rxg8+ Kxg8 50. Be6+ 0-1[/pgn]

The 2 black bishops kill the white king position , but the center is blocked with pawns. By moving the pawns away the bishops attack.
No other proam would have seen this. Humans see it. I saw the danger coming and I knew chess tiger did not recognize the danger. And when the search tree of tiger saw it, it was too late.

Look position after move 23. Queen is on h6. Knight on g4 attacks, and both bishops ready to rock the position.

Move 25...d4

Now the bishop has reached the goal of destruction. White position is without any defense.
The pawns have moved forward, center is open and the bishops rule the diagonals plus queen and knight attack the king.

This is what I mean.
Gandalf knew it was good to do all the manouevers when the center was blocked.

27.Qe7 was a huge mistake by Chess Tiger. 27.Rc6 would have been much better for white. Two games below with SF against Toga with both of those moves.

[pgn][Event "Computer Chess Game"]
[Site "Mac-Pro.local"]
[Date "2017.03.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "McBrain 2017 v1.4 64 POP"]
[Black "Toga II 3.0"]
[Result "1-0"]
[TimeControl "15+0"]
[Annotator "27. -0.70 27... +1.11"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4
a5 9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O
15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5
21. Bb2 Qe6 22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4
27. Rc6 {-0.70/18 1.1} Bxc6 {+1.11/10 0.1} 28. Rxc6 {+0.15/16 0.2} Rf6
{+0.83/12 0.4} 29. Bc1 {+0.21/15 0.1} d3 {+0.61/12 0.5} 30. Qe7
{+0.53/18 0.5} Rxc6 {-0.29/11 0.3} 31. Bxh6 {+0.58/18 0.2} Rxh6
{-0.38/11 0.2} 32. Bxd3 {+0.72/19 0.7} Rhd6 {-0.45/13 0.5} 33. Be2
{+0.58/19 0.7} Kh8 {-0.69/12 0.3} 34. Kg2 {+0.81/19 1.1} Nf6 {-0.26/13 0.4}
35. Ne3 {+0.75/20 0.5} R6d7 {-0.53/14 0.3} 36. Qe6 {+0.82/20 0.6} Bxe3
{-0.45/15 0.5} 37. Qxe3 {+1.06/18 0.2} Ne4 {-0.77/14 0.5} 38. g4
{+1.05/16 0.4} Nf6 {-0.79/12 0.4} 39. gxf5 {+1.22/15 0.1} Rd5
{-0.88/13 0.5} 40. Qf4 {+1.59/15 0.2} Rc5 {-0.88/13 0.4} 41. Bc4
{+1.67/18 0.4} h6 {-1.12/14 0.3} 42. Be6 {+1.73/18 0.7} Rc2 {-1.14/13 0.3}
43. b4 {+1.97/18 0.3} Re2 {-0.54/12 0.4} 44. Qc7 {+3.07/17 0.4} Rdd2
{-0.71/13 0.4} 45. Qb6 {+3.06/17 0.2} Kh7 {-1.32/9 0.3} 46. bxa5
{+3.17/16 0.3} Ne4 {-1.57/11 0.3} 47. Kf3 {+5.24/16 0.3} Rb2 {-1.99/11 0.2}
48. Qa7 {+5.16/15 0.1} Re1 {-2.25/10 0.3} 49. a6 {+6.72/18 0.4} h5
{-4.12/12 1.0} 50. Qd4 {+7.77/19 0.9} Rd2 {-5.09/12 0.3} 51. Qb6
{+8.20/17 0.3} Rd3+ {-5.10/11 0.2} 52. Kg2 {+8.58/17 0.2} Rdd1
{-5.20/11 0.4} 53. f6 {+8.66/17 0.1} Nxf6 {-10.29/13 5} 54. a7
{+9.18/20 0.2} Rxe6 {-10.78/12 0.2} 55. Qxe6 {+9.54/20 0.1} Rd8
{-10.96/13 0.2} 56. Qc6 {+9.76/21 0.2} Kg6 {-11.78/12 0.3} 57. a8=Q
{+127.32/18 0.3} Rxa8 {-11.80/12 0.2} 58. Qxa8 {+127.40/19 0.1} Nh7
{-21.22/12 2.9} 59. Qe4+ {+127.42/28 0.3} Kh6 {-17.62/9 0.1} 60. Qxh7+
{+127.43/29 0.1} Kxh7 {-9.76/4 0.1} 61. a5 {+127.44/35 0.3} Kg6
{-11.03/11 0.1} 62. a6 {+127.44/34 0.1} Kf5 {-11.09/11 0.1} 63. a7
{+127.45/35 0.3} g5 {-11.02/8 0.1} 64. hxg5 {+127.48/37 0.3} Kxg5
{-11.45/9 0.1} 65. a8=Q {+1000.12/24 0.2} h4 {-11.86/8 0.1} 66. Qf8
{+1000.07/32 0.4} Kg4 {-1000.09/10 0.1} 67. Qf6 {+1000.05/47 0.3} h3+
{-1000.05/63 0.1} 68. Kh2 {+1000.04/117 0.1} Kh5 {-1000.04/4 0.1} 69. Qg7
{+1000.03/127 0.1} Kh4 {-1000.02/4 0.1} 70. f4 {+1000.02/127 0.1} Kh5
{-1000.01/4 0.1} 71. Qg5# {+1000.01/127 0.1}
{White mates} 1-0

[Event "Computer Chess Game"]
[Site "Mac-Pro.local"]
[Date "2017.03.05"]
[Round "-"]
[White "McBrain 2017 v1.4 64 POP"]
[Black "Toga II 3.0"]
[Result "0-1"]
[TimeControl "15+0"]
[Annotator "27. -0.70 27... +1.20"]

1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 e6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bg2 f5 5. O-O Bd6 6. b3 Qe7 7. c4 c6 8. a4
a5 9. e3 Ngf6 10. c5 Bc7 11. Re1 b6 12. cxb6 Bxb6 13. Ba3 c5 14. Bf1 O-O
15. Nc3 Bb7 16. Rc1 Rac8 17. Bb5 e5 18. Re2 Qe6 19. Nxe5 Nxe5 20. dxe5 Qxe5
21. Bb2 Qe6 22. Rec2 Ng4 23. Qe2 Qh6 24. h4 Rcd8 25. Nd1 d4 26. exd4 cxd4
27. Qe7 {-0.70/18 1.1} Bd5 {+1.20/11 0.4} 28. Rc6 {-2.21/19 1.5} Bxc6
{+1.83/13 0.4} 29. Rxc6 {-2.26/18 0.2} Qd2 {+1.82/14 0.4} 30. Qe2
{-1.90/18 0.2} Qxe2 {+1.86/13 0.1} 31. Bxe2 {-1.78/18 0.1} Rf6
{+1.96/14 0.4} 32. Bc4+ {-1.94/20 0.9} Kh8 {+1.94/14 0.4} 33. Rxf6
{-2.12/18 0.1} Nxf6 {+2.00/13 0.3} 34. Kf1 {-2.00/20 0.4} f4 {+1.93/13 0.3}
35. gxf4 {-1.42/18 0.3} d3 {+2.06/14 0.4} 36. Bxf6 {-1.36/20 0.5} gxf6
{+2.14/13 0.1} 37. Nb2 {-1.96/22 1.5} d2 {+2.12/16 0.3} 38. Ke2
{-2.00/22 0.9} Bd4 {+2.19/17 0.4} 39. Nd1 {-2.02/20 0.1} Bc5 {+2.09/17 0.4}
40. h5 {-2.04/22 0.7} Kg7 {+2.16/15 0.3} 41. Bd3 {-1.92/22 0.2} Bb4
{+2.18/16 0.4} 42. Ne3 {-2.05/21 0.1} Kh6 {+2.22/15 0.4} 43. Bc4
{-2.47/20 0.9} Kxh5 {+2.09/14 0.4} 44. Kd1 {-2.66/16 0.1} Kg6
{+2.93/13 0.3} 45. Bd5 {-3.04/22 2.4} h5 {+3.29/11 0.3} 46. Be4+
{-3.69/20 1.4} Kf7 {+3.45/14 0.3} 47. Nc2 {-3.75/21 0.3} Bc5 {+3.38/14 0.3}
48. f5 {-4.15/20 0.5} h4 {+4.13/14 0.3} 49. Bg2 {-4.28/17 0.1} Bxf2
{+4.39/15 0.4} 50. b4 {-4.67/20 0.4} axb4 {+4.95/13 0.3} 51. Nxb4
{-4.78/18 0.2} Be3 {+5.22/14 0.4} 52. Nc2 {-4.59/16 0.3} Bf4 {+7.55/14 0.4}
53. Bf3 {-10.85/17 0.5} h3 {+8.79/11 0.3} 54. Nb4 {-28.80/19 1.4} Rb8
{+10.40/14 0.4} 55. Bh5+ {-127.31/17 1.1} Kg7 {+14.67/10 0.3} 56. Nd5
{-127.42/18 0.2} h2 {+15.43/8 0.1} 57. Nxf4 {-1000.13/19 0.2} h1=Q+
{+16.82/10 0.3} 58. Kxd2 {-1000.11/19 0.1} Rb2+ {+1000.14/11 0.6} 59. Kd3
{-127.46/18 0.2} Qb1+ {+1000.10/11 1.0} 60. Kd4 {-127.45/18 0.2} Qg1+
{+1000.09/63 0.1} 61. Ke4 {-1000.08/24 0.3} Rb4+ {+1000.08/63 0.1} 62. Kf3
{-1000.07/24 0.1} Qf1+ {+1000.07/11 0.4} 63. Ke3 {-1000.06/26 0.1} Qxf4+
{+1000.06/12 0.2} 64. Ke2 {-1000.05/26 0.2} Rb2+ {+1000.05/15 0.2} 65. Kd3
{-1000.04/37 0.2} Rd2+ {+1000.04/28 0.1} 66. Kc3 {-1000.03/1 0.1} Qd4+
{+1000.03/63 0.1} 67. Kb3 {-1000.02/1 0.1} Rb2+ {+1000.02/63 0.1} 68. Ka3
{-1000.01/1 0.1} Qb4# {+1000.01/63 0.1}
{Black mates} 0-1[/pgn]

new users should click the ellipsis ( 3 dots upper left of the board ) to access the second game

Hey Michael,

Forgive my wordy answer...I just woke up and haven't had coffee yet.

I don't think anybody disagrees that that computer chess games from the 1990-2000s contained a lot of mistakes, and even that Stockfish would maul all of the engines from then.

(Actually, last year I did a post on my blog which featured SF gauntletting against the engines I used around 2001 which was amusing and impressive. )

The way SF handled the position from 27.Rc6!! is an example of modern day power chess from engines, but the follow up is pretty computer like.

We must remember that Chesstiger is/was not weak and around that time (2001 I think) scored a 2788 performance against human GMs in Argentina.

So Gandalf's game is essentially an example of a smooth attacking gem played against a strong GM.

I think what we're admiring here is not Gandalf's overwhelming strength, but the manner in which he scored his win, knowledege based and without the massive search depths of Stockfish.

Chesstiger thinks it's gaining a tempo with 27.Qe7 (which is rather human-like despite being a mistake) and is punished, but knowing this is a serious mistake with Stockfish switched off is another matter.

It might look suspicious to leave the passed d-pawn, as well as the king unattended, but we'd struggle to call it an outright mistake without proper analysis.

Seeing the alternative 27.Rc6!! without SF is another matter too (although admittedly, I'd see it in a game).

Exchange sacrifices are par for the course for modern engines, but I believe they had a huge blind spot back in those days, and that goes for Fritz, Tiger, Junior, Hiarcs, Shredder.

Last night I tested a sacrifice one of my aggressive Rodent personalities played and none of the so-called "tactical" personalities from those days wanted to play it.

Not Gambit Tiger (on suicidal mode), Junior 7, or even Prodeo Q3 (Prodeo Storm did though! )

So with such low search depths, I think a move like Rc6 would have been pruned pretty early by CT, right?

On another note, wasn't Chess System Tal the first engine to play a positional exchange sac (in it's game against Chess Genius) in a game?

[Robert Flesher]

Hello Norbert

I just talked to Steen today, and he have no problems with someone hosting all available versions also 6.

The commercial side of his chess program was stopped 10-12 years ago - so there is no problems in this.

I asked if he would come to the Talkchess forum to answer questions etc. and it may happen

Else maybe I could gather questions and send to him and maybe we will get some answers.

With regards
Kim

IS this going to happen ? I would love to have 4.32 again, I purchased it but cannot find the back-up. I would even purchase it again without a second thought.

[Frank Quisinsky]

Hi Robert,

I can't make the file I wrote before (around 50 versions, WB, UCI, DOS) available if I have not the OK from Steen Suurballe, sorry!

I haven't the currrent mail address from Steen and can't ask him. I must have a mail with the OK by Steen in my mail account or from my point of view nothing is possible.

An OK from Steen in TalkChess is OK for me too.
Otherwise, I can nothing do ... because Gandalf isn't my own.

The OK from myself for the development files for the Gambit-Soft CD I created in the past and other beta versions I have isn't enough.

So, let us wait what Raimund can do!

It's no my part because I don't have interest to make it available ... other things to do but sure ... if my helps are important for others I will do it.

Best
Frank

[mclane]

On another note, wasn't Chess System Tal the first engine to play a positional exchange sac (in it's game against Chess Genius) in a game?

you refer to the following game:




[pgn][Event "World Computer Chess"]
[Site "Championship 1995"]
[Date "1995.??.??"]
[Round "4"]
[White "Genius3"]
[Black "Chess System Tal (version 93)"]
[Result "0-1"]

1. c4 e5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. g3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Nb6 7. O-O Be7 8. a3 O-O 9. b4 Re8 10. Rb1 Bf8 11. d3 a5 12. b5 Nd4 13. Nd2 Rb8 14. e3 Ne6 15. Nf3 Ng5 16. Nxg5 Qxg5 17. Ne4 Qd8 18. Qc2 Bg4 19. f4 exf4 20. Rxf4 Be6 21. Rf2 f5 22. Nc3 Bf7 23. Ne2 Qd7 24. Qc3 Nd5 25. Bxd5 Qxd5 26. Nd4 Re5 27. Qxc7 Ra8 28. Qc3 Rae8 29. Nf3 Rxe3 30. Bxe3 Rxe3 31. Nd4 g6 32. Re2 Bc5 33. Rxe3 Bxd4 34. Qc8+ Kg7 35. Re1 f4 36. gxf4 Qf3 37. Qc7 Bxe3+ 38. Rxe3 Qxe3+ 39. Kg2 Qe2+ 40. Kg1 Qxd3 41. Qxb7 Qxa3 42. b6 Qc5+ 43. Kf1 a4 44. Qc7 Qxc7 45. bxc7 Be6 46. h4 a3 0-1[/pgn]

in preparation to the championship in paderborn
CSTAL was running on 3 or 4 autoplayer systems at oxford softworks.
one autoplayer against genius.
one autoplayer against fritz.
one autoplayer against mchess.
and maybe another one against hiarcs. i do not remember it 100%
but in oxford softworks company there were these autoplayers.
this was all dos at the time.

it was my job to optimize and control all this.
bugs were reported to the programmers and hopefully fixed (not all bugs were found, as we later found out, but this is another anecdote).

target was to tune CSTAL dos for the market without taking away the
unique playing style done by the TAL function invented by Chris Whittington.

when the game against genius happened, ossi weiner and richard lang took place in front of chris and me in the tournament hall.

i was confident that we would win because our autoplayer games against genius were very good. i told ossi weiner that he can play whatever opening , cstal would find a win no matter which system he chooses.

i took out of my suitcase a printout with many many autoplayer games, all kind of openings.
gave them ossi.
he studied it.
and then changed his tournament book by loading a disk into the floppy.
he thought this would help.

during the game ossi and me, and chris and richard watched the evaluations and main lines. this is the whole reason you do such a tournament. it makes
fun and is the best and most exciting thing you can do.

genius did a wrong exchange. and i asked ossi/richard why it is doing that.
giving away an important fianchetto bishop for an unimportant knight.
ossi meant this is indeed normally not good, but not in this position. and richard was satisfied.
but i looked to chris and we were both sure that ossi was only trying to
keep richard calm ...
we knew this was exactly the kind of "mistake" cstal would benefit from.
and so it happened.

of course for todays machines this is nothing special. but remember that the hardware in 1995 was not the machines we have today and that also
computerchess programing at the time was not as good and strong as stockfish.