Hello,
is anyone of you a member of Linked in and/or keep in touch with Steen Suurballe, the author of Gandalf?
cf. https://dk.linkedin.com/in/steen-suurballe-977a3ba
January 2010-January 2011 Design and Development of version 7 of my commercial computer chess program Gandalf. Various design changes and multithreaded capabilities added
As far I know , v6 was last edition sold by Lokasoft B.V. including Chess-Partner GUI http://www.lokasoft.nl/gandalf6.aspx
The company TOP-TOY, probably a previous employer, wrote to me:
Steen Suurballe is unfortunately not working with us anymore, so we cannot forward you an email to get in touch with him via us.
I will ask him if the former shareware editions could be publicly released
now for free . What´s it all about version 7? You can contact me here via private message.
Best wishes,
Norbert
contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
Moderators: hgm, Rebel, chrisw
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Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Posts: 1643
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- Location: Augsburg - Germany
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kiroje
- Posts: 60
- Joined: Wed Jul 25, 2012 10:12 am
- Location: Copenhagen, Denmark
- Full name: Kim Jensen
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
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
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
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Guenther
- Posts: 4606
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 6:33 am
- Location: Regensburg, Germany
- Full name: Guenther Simon
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
This is great news!kiroje wrote: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
Guenther
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mclane
- Posts: 18749
- Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:40 pm
- Location: US of Europe, germany
- Full name: Thorsten Czub
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
When I met him first in Munich championship, he was dressed very well and said to me: my name is bond, James Bond.
Then I found out that he said: my name is surballe, steen surballe.
But it sounded similar.
The 2, dan wolf and steen, were very nice people. I loved the program and the nice guys from Denmark.
Then I found out that he said: my name is surballe, steen surballe.
But it sounded similar.
The 2, dan wolf and steen, were very nice people. I loved the program and the nice guys from Denmark.
What seems like a fairy tale today may be reality tomorrow.
Here we have a fairy tale of the day after tomorrow....
Here we have a fairy tale of the day after tomorrow....
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BrendanJNorman
- Posts: 2526
- Joined: Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:43 am
- Full name: Brendan J Norman
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
Amazing to hear. Gandalf is a fantastic engine (another old-school favourite) and the author seems like a fantastic guy.kiroje wrote: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
If you guys like, I'd be happy to host it on my site as well as create a nice page dedicated to Gandalf (and Mr Suurballe's) history, achievements etc.
Just let me know, it'd be an honour.
Alternatively, I know that Frank would be rolling in excitement at the prospect of helping out hosting such a priceless engine as well.
For me Gandalf being available is more exciting than Houdini 5 lol.
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Frank Quisinsky
- Posts: 6808
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:16 pm
- Location: Gutweiler, Germany
- Full name: Frank Quisinsky
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
Hi Brendon,
Gandalf 4.32 comes from Winboard Edition I by Gambit-Soft I do. Version 4 is in my opinion stronger as Version 5 ... later available from Ed. And after Gandalf 6 comes by Lokasoft. Gandalf 7 are not availalbe.
Gandalf 6 is stronger as Gandalf 4 but lost a bit the great playing style in the middlegame ... my personal opinion after more as 4.000 games I have here.
I had a lot of Gandalf 432a, 4.32d, 4.32f, 4.32g, 4.32h, 5.0, 5.1., 5.2, 6 versions in my directory. I also have the older Gandalf versions 2.0, 3.0 ... commercial available as DOS version.
Ed don't like UCI and I powered UCI after I powered Winboard. So I believe Gandalf 5 is WB by Ed, I have it as UCI too.
The eval from Gandalf is particulary at this time. I can search on my Winboard Edition CD the information about it by Steen. Have this main information in my brain today. More or less ... Gandalf used two eval options. But I am not the programmer to explain it. Hope I am right here.
Gandalf 4.32h was the number 2 in the World in times I made it available. But differnet testers made some errors in winboard configuration and like it to public bad results. I think commercial testers, I don't know why they made that in the past. German "Rochade", SSDF and others. The results are bad but in each of my results (with absolutely correct settings) Gandalf won vs. all the TOP-Engines at this time with a very nice playing style and much stronger hardware as in the other test-results. Gandalf is an engine ... need a bit more time (double eval).
Can be easy find out ... Fritz vs. Gandalf today and each one can see it ... Gandalf is stronger as the older Fritz versions, available at this time. Different programs are stronger but unfortunately not available ... Chess Wizard for the next example. Ferret for the next example ... a Spain program for the next example. But Ferret and ChessWizard are never available. But games from the engines we can analyse.
In the past different of top programmers are thinking ... never, never a winboard engine can beat us.
Gandalf was great to for a higher attention for the topic "Winboard". Because most interesting available engines at this time are compatible to Winboard. And "The Winboarder" community are bigger and bigger.
So Steen do a lot ...
Also the Gandalf book was very good, all the times ...
Really a nice engine ... very important for powered "protocols". Winboard and UCI.
Most interesting version ... most aggressive, most nice playing style in my opinion absolutely clear was Gandalf 4.32d !!
Gandalf vs. AnMon ...
Gandalf vs. Zarkov ...
AnMon vs. Zakrov ...
In the past ... and I am happy!
This combination of eng-eng games under Winboard ... just great. In my opinion computer chess total!
Best
Frank
I have it all ...
And much others ...
Looking how good are our collectors... for find out it. My harddisk is open for all others if the programmer give the OK for a new publication. I can give my OK for Gandalf 4 versions ... available on a CD I created for Gambit-Soft.
D. Wulf should have more Gandalf versions I have ... think so ... main tester and created the opening book for Gandalf.
Gandalf 4.32 comes from Winboard Edition I by Gambit-Soft I do. Version 4 is in my opinion stronger as Version 5 ... later available from Ed. And after Gandalf 6 comes by Lokasoft. Gandalf 7 are not availalbe.
Gandalf 6 is stronger as Gandalf 4 but lost a bit the great playing style in the middlegame ... my personal opinion after more as 4.000 games I have here.
I had a lot of Gandalf 432a, 4.32d, 4.32f, 4.32g, 4.32h, 5.0, 5.1., 5.2, 6 versions in my directory. I also have the older Gandalf versions 2.0, 3.0 ... commercial available as DOS version.
Ed don't like UCI and I powered UCI after I powered Winboard. So I believe Gandalf 5 is WB by Ed, I have it as UCI too.
The eval from Gandalf is particulary at this time. I can search on my Winboard Edition CD the information about it by Steen. Have this main information in my brain today. More or less ... Gandalf used two eval options. But I am not the programmer to explain it. Hope I am right here.
Gandalf 4.32h was the number 2 in the World in times I made it available. But differnet testers made some errors in winboard configuration and like it to public bad results. I think commercial testers, I don't know why they made that in the past. German "Rochade", SSDF and others. The results are bad but in each of my results (with absolutely correct settings) Gandalf won vs. all the TOP-Engines at this time with a very nice playing style and much stronger hardware as in the other test-results. Gandalf is an engine ... need a bit more time (double eval).
Can be easy find out ... Fritz vs. Gandalf today and each one can see it ... Gandalf is stronger as the older Fritz versions, available at this time. Different programs are stronger but unfortunately not available ... Chess Wizard for the next example. Ferret for the next example ... a Spain program for the next example. But Ferret and ChessWizard are never available. But games from the engines we can analyse.
In the past different of top programmers are thinking ... never, never a winboard engine can beat us.
Gandalf was great to for a higher attention for the topic "Winboard". Because most interesting available engines at this time are compatible to Winboard. And "The Winboarder" community are bigger and bigger.
So Steen do a lot ...
Also the Gandalf book was very good, all the times ...
Really a nice engine ... very important for powered "protocols". Winboard and UCI.
Most interesting version ... most aggressive, most nice playing style in my opinion absolutely clear was Gandalf 4.32d !!
Gandalf vs. AnMon ...
Gandalf vs. Zarkov ...
AnMon vs. Zakrov ...
In the past ... and I am happy!
This combination of eng-eng games under Winboard ... just great. In my opinion computer chess total!
Best
Frank
I have it all ...
And much others ...
Looking how good are our collectors... for find out it. My harddisk is open for all others if the programmer give the OK for a new publication. I can give my OK for Gandalf 4 versions ... available on a CD I created for Gambit-Soft.
D. Wulf should have more Gandalf versions I have ... think so ... main tester and created the opening book for Gandalf.
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Frank Quisinsky
- Posts: 6808
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:16 pm
- Location: Gutweiler, Germany
- Full name: Frank Quisinsky
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
Today we all must have the opinion ...
Thanks Steen because without Steen I think I have much more work to powered the protocol Winboard. All what we have today is the results by programmers like Steen Surrballe. Steen do it ... and most of other commercial don't do it ... WINBOARD !!!
Without the important protocols and the work differnet people do in background we never have so many compatible engines today. Prof. Djordje Vidanovic do a lot in background in the past. Volker Pittlik and much others.
But most important ... are programmers develops the stronger engines. And from Steen I had the full support !!!
So ...
Gandalf is one of the most important parts in computer chess history for the most important point today ... compatibility and protocols. Furthermore an engine with the most spectacular playing style ... OK the style from Hiarcs and Junior are good too.
Many years later ... Hiarcs and Junior are compatible too.
Thanks Steen because without Steen I think I have much more work to powered the protocol Winboard. All what we have today is the results by programmers like Steen Surrballe. Steen do it ... and most of other commercial don't do it ... WINBOARD !!!
Without the important protocols and the work differnet people do in background we never have so many compatible engines today. Prof. Djordje Vidanovic do a lot in background in the past. Volker Pittlik and much others.
But most important ... are programmers develops the stronger engines. And from Steen I had the full support !!!
So ...
Gandalf is one of the most important parts in computer chess history for the most important point today ... compatibility and protocols. Furthermore an engine with the most spectacular playing style ... OK the style from Hiarcs and Junior are good too.
Many years later ... Hiarcs and Junior are compatible too.
-
Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 4:57 pm
- Location: Augsburg - Germany
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
As far I know, Gandalf 4.32 (and former edtions) were distributed by Gambit Soft* http://gambitsoft.com/gambit1d.htm from Rottweil Germany, cf. Peter Schreiner´s (ChessBase) review in German language here:
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 432f.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_b.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_c.shtml`
cf. Wayback Archive http://web.archive.org/web/200112240502 ... andalf.htm
Gandalf 5.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.1 Copyright 1994-2001 by Lokasoft
Gandalf 6.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.4 Copyright 1994-2006 by Lokasoft
Conclusion: ChessPartner GUI cannot be published generally without Lex Loep´s permission, only the Gandalf chess engine.
Both applications can be launched under Windows 7 32-bit SP1 in compatibility mode "XP SP3" and administrator rights.
Dan Wulff wrote the Gandalf´s opening book. I am not a Facebook user, but perhaps can ask Dan https://www.facebook.com/danwulff.kristensen
whether his opening book can be released free available too.
Last not least: If some beta testers have still Edition 7, please do not hesitate to contact Frank and me, of course.
Best wishes,
Norbert
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 432f.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_b.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_c.shtml`
cf. Wayback Archive http://web.archive.org/web/200112240502 ... andalf.htm
Gandalf 5.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.1 Copyright 1994-2001 by Lokasoft
Gandalf 6.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.4 Copyright 1994-2006 by Lokasoft
Conclusion: ChessPartner GUI cannot be published generally without Lex Loep´s permission, only the Gandalf chess engine.
Both applications can be launched under Windows 7 32-bit SP1 in compatibility mode "XP SP3" and administrator rights.
Dan Wulff wrote the Gandalf´s opening book. I am not a Facebook user, but perhaps can ask Dan https://www.facebook.com/danwulff.kristensen
whether his opening book can be released free available too.
Last not least: If some beta testers have still Edition 7, please do not hesitate to contact Frank and me, of course.
Best wishes,
Norbert
-
Norbert Raimund Leisner
- Posts: 1643
- Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 4:57 pm
- Location: Augsburg - Germany
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
As far I know, Gandalf 4.32 (and former edtions) were distributed by Gambit Soft* http://gambitsoft.com/gambit1d.htm from Rottweil Germany, cf. Peter Schreiner´s (ChessBase) review in German language here:
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 432f.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_b.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_c.shtml`
cf. Wayback Archive http://web.archive.org/web/200112240502 ... andalf.htm
Gandalf 5.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.1 Copyright 1994-2001 by Lokasoft
Gandalf 6.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.4 Copyright 1994-2006 by Lokasoft
Conclusion: ChessPartner GUI cannot be published generally without Lex Loep´s permission, only the Gandalf chess engine.
Both applications can be launched under Windows 7 32-bit SP1 in compatibility mode "XP SP3" and administrator rights.
Dan Wulff wrote the Gandalf´s opening book. I am not a Facebook user, but perhaps can ask Dan https://www.facebook.com/danwulff.kristensen
whether his opening book can be released free available too.
Last not least: If some beta testers have still Edition 7, please do not hesitate to contact Frank and me, of course.
Best wishes,
Norbert
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 432f.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_b.shtml
http://scleinzell.schachvereine.de/p_sp ... 2f_c.shtml`
cf. Wayback Archive http://web.archive.org/web/200112240502 ... andalf.htm
Gandalf 5.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.1 Copyright 1994-2001 by Lokasoft
Gandalf 6.0 comes with ChessPartner 5.4 Copyright 1994-2006 by Lokasoft
Conclusion: ChessPartner GUI cannot be published generally without Lex Loep´s permission, only the Gandalf chess engine.
Both applications can be launched under Windows 7 32-bit SP1 in compatibility mode "XP SP3" and administrator rights.
Dan Wulff wrote the Gandalf´s opening book. I am not a Facebook user, but perhaps can ask Dan https://www.facebook.com/danwulff.kristensen
whether his opening book can be released free available too.
Last not least: If some beta testers have still Edition 7, please do not hesitate to contact Frank and me, of course.
Best wishes,
Norbert
-
Frank Quisinsky
- Posts: 6808
- Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 7:16 pm
- Location: Gutweiler, Germany
- Full name: Frank Quisinsky
Re: contact address or email of Steen Suurballe
Hi Norbert,
for the others:
I create a file, around 30 winboard versions and 15 UCI versions, DOS version 2.1 and 3.0 with the book files by Dann and configuration examples for Winboard and Chessbase GUI (for the WB versions).
Furthermore:
Included are develop files for Gandalf 4, 5, 6 as UCI engines (Lokasoft GUI not needed, no copy protection).
That's what I have.
The Gambit-Soft CD Norbert worte I created.
I created in the past for Gambit-Soft the Gandalf 4.32f CD and a CD with UCI engines in times I powered UCI.
What I not have are the Gandalf 7 files.
Never have it ... no contacts to Steen at this time.
But older of my beta testers for the Gambit-Soft CD later tested for Steen directly and have it.
And again, sure that Dan Wulff have much more material to Gandalf. Dan created the opening book and was the main tester from Gandalf. I am only one of the fan boys from Gandalf, not more no less ... better ... I need the engine for a better publicity to Winboard / UCI protocols ... my main interest. Of course, Gandalf is a great program and was the Number 2 in the World at the time I generated the material for Gandalf 4.32f.
Not sure what of the material, included in the 83Mb I can public again on my site.
I will not have problems with Ed Schröder / Lokasoft / Steen or Dan. Have enough other things to do.
Again ...
I have here all the older material from times ... I powered Winboard and UCI with Volker, Gambit-Soft, Djordje and much others. All the material is sure here but I will give it if the programmers give here OK.
Best
Frank
for the others:
I create a file, around 30 winboard versions and 15 UCI versions, DOS version 2.1 and 3.0 with the book files by Dann and configuration examples for Winboard and Chessbase GUI (for the WB versions).
Furthermore:
Included are develop files for Gandalf 4, 5, 6 as UCI engines (Lokasoft GUI not needed, no copy protection).
That's what I have.
The Gambit-Soft CD Norbert worte I created.
I created in the past for Gambit-Soft the Gandalf 4.32f CD and a CD with UCI engines in times I powered UCI.
What I not have are the Gandalf 7 files.
Never have it ... no contacts to Steen at this time.
But older of my beta testers for the Gambit-Soft CD later tested for Steen directly and have it.
And again, sure that Dan Wulff have much more material to Gandalf. Dan created the opening book and was the main tester from Gandalf. I am only one of the fan boys from Gandalf, not more no less ... better ... I need the engine for a better publicity to Winboard / UCI protocols ... my main interest. Of course, Gandalf is a great program and was the Number 2 in the World at the time I generated the material for Gandalf 4.32f.
Not sure what of the material, included in the 83Mb I can public again on my site.
I will not have problems with Ed Schröder / Lokasoft / Steen or Dan. Have enough other things to do.
Again ...
I have here all the older material from times ... I powered Winboard and UCI with Volker, Gambit-Soft, Djordje and much others. All the material is sure here but I will give it if the programmers give here OK.
Best
Frank