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I test my winboard chess engine Nameless with gauntlet matches in Arena GUI using some epd starting positions. As I was looking for a way to use GUI books I searched the Arena website. In playwitharena>Home > Tips + Tricks > Engine Tournaments I found the following in the last paragraph of Engines configuration section:

In opening books, the first moves of a game are saved. Many engines use their own books, which are often tailored to the game style of the engine. There is also the possibility to use so-called GUI books, in doing so the engine does not decide about the first moves but the GUI. (translation)

So I opened Arena GUI, entered book>manage>data, selected Arena\Books\Perfect_2010.abk, pressed "load", ticked all the boxes and started the gauntlet match with default starting position. My engine as well as the sparring partners insisted on searching for the opening moves.

What have I missed?

This will probably solve your issue.

Book - Manage (Ctrl + Alt + B)

Make sure "Use Arena main book" & "Use Arena engine book" is checked.

PGN books need to be loaded in two directories (twice) to make them play desired openings.

You also have to tell each engine to actually use the book.

Engines->Manage->Details

Under the Books tab, check 'Use Arena main book with this engine'

Book - Manage (Ctrl + Alt + B)

Make sure "Use Arena main book" & "Use Arena engine book" is checked.

I reached that point. Thanks

elpapa wrote:You also have to tell each engine to actually use the book.

Engines->Manage->Details

Under the Books tab, check 'Use Arena main book with this engine'

That was missed. Now it works. Thanks

thanks for the info, helpful and informative