OICS: Computers Only ICS based Chess server for anyone
Posted: Mon Aug 26, 2013 6:23 am
Kind of an obligatory post but wanted to make it.
For those who know, or especially those who do not know. I run a 24/7 FICS and ICC based chess server, strictly for computer chess programmers to play their engines.
It's open to all, but prefer engine authors.. though I do allow clones, non-engine authors, really anyone with hardware where they want to test or play games. Though so far in the last 1.5 years it's been strictly engine authors.
The goal of this project spawned from my own desire to play and test engines on FICS. It's still a great place to play, however I found tournaments and game play was slow to find players.
This server, plays tournaments 24/7 and is open to EVERYONE. In fact it's 100% automated, looks for whoever is online, and automatically adds you to the tournament.
It's a great place to test your engines, since it plays at minimum 18 players, though I'm working to keep 24-28 "core" players on at any give time.
Each of my "core engines" is the latest available, running at 1 full core each. With a common opening book I update often.
The server also runs 24/7 a couple "private engines" that you might not find that often, outside the H.G. Muller once a month tourney. I respect, and even donated hardware specifically to Nightmare and Raptor (both I greatly respect, and greatful they allowed me to host their engines).
Side note, if you have custom code you do not want to share with the world, or do not have the capbilities of running 24/7, I may be able to host and run your engine for you. All games played I share online for free via my website. Plus like FICS/ICC you can have games automatically emailed to you.
About it for now I'm looking forward to new users. This has been running strong for over 1.5 years now. Bugs/kinks have been worked out and I monitor it 24/7 and make frequent updates to ensure stability.
Since this is FICS/ICC based you can use any client you wish. xbooard/winboard/arena, etc.. even icsdrone due to the hardwork of Michel Van den Bergh. Anything that works on ICC/FICS or H.G. Muller's server will work (my server is a fork of his).
-Josh
http://olympuschess.com
ICS: oics.olympuschess.com port 5000
For those who know, or especially those who do not know. I run a 24/7 FICS and ICC based chess server, strictly for computer chess programmers to play their engines.
It's open to all, but prefer engine authors.. though I do allow clones, non-engine authors, really anyone with hardware where they want to test or play games. Though so far in the last 1.5 years it's been strictly engine authors.
The goal of this project spawned from my own desire to play and test engines on FICS. It's still a great place to play, however I found tournaments and game play was slow to find players.
This server, plays tournaments 24/7 and is open to EVERYONE. In fact it's 100% automated, looks for whoever is online, and automatically adds you to the tournament.
It's a great place to test your engines, since it plays at minimum 18 players, though I'm working to keep 24-28 "core" players on at any give time.
Each of my "core engines" is the latest available, running at 1 full core each. With a common opening book I update often.
The server also runs 24/7 a couple "private engines" that you might not find that often, outside the H.G. Muller once a month tourney. I respect, and even donated hardware specifically to Nightmare and Raptor (both I greatly respect, and greatful they allowed me to host their engines).
Side note, if you have custom code you do not want to share with the world, or do not have the capbilities of running 24/7, I may be able to host and run your engine for you. All games played I share online for free via my website. Plus like FICS/ICC you can have games automatically emailed to you.
About it for now I'm looking forward to new users. This has been running strong for over 1.5 years now. Bugs/kinks have been worked out and I monitor it 24/7 and make frequent updates to ensure stability.
Since this is FICS/ICC based you can use any client you wish. xbooard/winboard/arena, etc.. even icsdrone due to the hardwork of Michel Van den Bergh. Anything that works on ICC/FICS or H.G. Muller's server will work (my server is a fork of his).
-Josh
http://olympuschess.com
ICS: oics.olympuschess.com port 5000