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Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 6:37 am
by jd1
Dear all,

Happy New Year! It is my pleasure, after a break of several years from computer chess, to release Toga II 4.0.

Strength

Self-play results:
+80 elo at 4' + 0.04' on 1 thread after 4000 games
+85 elo at 10' + 0.1' on 4 threads after 2000 games

So while I doubt the rating lists will show +80 elo it should be significantly stronger than Toga II 3.0 or any other Fruit derivative and also one of the strongest array-based engines in the world. Needless to say, Stockfish and the other top engines still smash it though ...

Compiles

- The IntelPGO compiles should be the fastest. However, if there are any problems, GCC and Intel non-PGO compiles are also provided.
- The x64 compile runs about 10% faster than the w32 compile on my machines.
- At this stage I do not have Linux, Mac or Android compiles. Hopefully someone will provide these at some stage.

Major changes

For a full list of changes since Toga II 3.0, see readme.txt in the package. The major changes are:
- code tidy-up, removed a lot of unused / defunct code and fixed a few bugs.
- Toga II can now use up to 16 GB hash and up to 64 threads, and the lazy SMP design has been tweaked.
- fixed aspiration windows, and skip fail-high research for single-thread competitive games (same patch as SF tested a day ago).
- removed egbb support. Instead I plan to add support for Ronald De Man's excellent syzygy bases for future releases.
- added eval pruning (also called static null move pruning), and move count based pruning;
- improved null move: reduction (3 + depth/4) from Stockfish used, and double null move avoided;
- better usage of hash in quiescent search;
- bad captures reduced less;
- history aging.

Have fun!

Jerry

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 6:44 am
by Graham Banks
That is a nice surprise! :)
Thanks.

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:07 am
by Damir
Thanks Jerry. You are doing an amazing work so far. :) :) :D

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:27 am
by Ovyron
Wow, I assumed this project was dead, or something. Thanks!

BTW, does anybody know why is it called Toga II? I had expected to see a Toga III eventually, but it seems it'll follow II x.0... numeration.

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:37 am
by BrendanJNorman
Ovyron wrote:Wow, I assumed this project was dead, or something. Thanks!

BTW, does anybody know why is it called Toga II? I had expected to see a Toga III eventually, but it seems it'll follow II x.0... numeration.
Will we see a new Checkov version you think? :lol:

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:39 am
by jd1
Ovyron wrote:Wow, I assumed this project was dead, or something. Thanks!

BTW, does anybody know why is it called Toga II? I had expected to see a Toga III eventually, but it seems it'll follow II x.0... numeration.
Thomas Gaksch decided to put the II in and it's stayed since.

I guess one day I should make it Toga III ... maybe next version :D

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 9:46 am
by jpqy
Wow Jerry ,this is indeed a very nice surpise :!:

Tested Toga for so many years with Misha all these versions..always thought you will come back one day..ones bitten and addicted to chess they say :wink: these kind off people you see back!

This is nice..will be sure on my do to list..

Wish you a nice end years holdidays..

Best regards,
Jean-Paul.

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:22 am
by tomitank
I'm very happy! I like Toga! I learned a lot from it.
Thank you Donald!

-Tamás

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:42 am
by Dokterchen
A nice belated Christmas gift. Thanks Jerry.

Re: Toga II 4.0 release

Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2017 10:47 am
by Ovyron
BrendanJNorman wrote:Will we see a new Checkov version you think? :lol:
The real question is if Toga II sacrificed style for improving its strength!

I recall that back when Toga II 3.1.2SE Chekov was released, there were stronger Togas around, but wouldn't plays as attractive with these settings (or, am I hallucinating, apparently II 3.1.2SE was released in 2008, while II 2.0 was released on 2012 o_O), so maybe it's like Rybka, that had her style going downhill after version 3.

What we need is a tool to measure the engine style, with a pieces en prise, sacrifices and so on, to end with such speculation :wink: