Komodo - is it worth it.

Discussion of anything and everything relating to chess playing software and machines.

Moderators: hgm, Rebel, chrisw

Krzysztof Grzelak
Posts: 1525
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:47 pm

Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Krzysztof Grzelak »

Komodo - is it worth buying. That is the question.

I decided to test the latest version of the chess engine Komodo a little - with the question whether it is worth buying this engine.

Match Houdini 6.03 Pro x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64

Engine setting " Houdini 6.03 Pro x64 "

Threads = 16
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
FiftyMovesDistance = 50
Move Overhead = 30
Comtempt = 0

Engine setting " Komodo 13.3 x64 "

Threads = 16
Table Memory = 512
Overhead ms = 30
Time Usage = 0
Use Syzygy = On
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Syzygy Probe Depth = 2
Syzygy Probe Limit = 6
Syzygy 50 Move Rule = On
Comtempt = 0

Match Houdini 6.03 Pro x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64 - match results - +2 =39 -9

The next match was played with the engine Chiron 4.

Match Chiron 4 x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64

Engine setting " Chiron 4 x64 "

Threads = 16
Tablebases = Syzygy
Tablebases Usage = Everywhere
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Tablebases Probe Depth = 2
Syzygy 50 Move Rule = On
Comtempt = 0

Engine setting " Komodo 13.3 x64 "

Threads = 16
Table Memory = 512
Overhead ms = 30
Time Usage = 0
Use Syzygy = On
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Syzygy Probe Depth = 2
Syzygy Probe Limit = 6
Syzygy 50 Move Rule = On
Comtempt = 0

Match Chiron 4 x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64 - match results - +1 =13 -36

All matches are played on Shredder Classic 5 - book - Perfect 2019 - Hash - 4096 gb - Tablebases - 6 man Syzygy. Both "pgn" files are available in the links below:

https://www.mirrored.to/files/MSXVVZ6G/ ... .rar_links
https://www.mirrored.to/files/KAI3SNX0/ ... .rar_links

Soon another Komodo engine tests.
Modern Times
Posts: 3546
Joined: Thu Jun 07, 2012 11:02 pm

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Modern Times »

Krzysztof Grzelak wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2020 3:12 pm Komodo - is it worth buying. That is the question.
Clearly a lot of people do. If you need a basket of engines for serious analysis purposes this would surely be one of them. Each individual has to decide if it is of value to them or not.
Gejsi Marku
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2020 4:02 pm
Full name: Gejsi Marku

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Gejsi Marku »

I play ICCF and I still use Komodo 11 in tandem with Stockfish and Leela. It depends on you.
The more chess knowledge you have personally the less relevant is the need for a software update. Unless we are speaking of 150+ elo difference.
I find Komodo very useful in certain situations. I love the fact it is not a Stockfish like engine.

If you have money to spare why not?
User avatar
Ovyron
Posts: 4556
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:30 am

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Ovyron »

Yeah, elo of the engine is irrelevant, but if there's positions where it can still provide the best analysis. Yes, there are, but the question is different for someone that already has Komodo from one that doesn't. It would help if positions were posted where latest Komodo is better than other engines, and the free version of Komodo doesn't find it either, showcasing why Komodo is a must-have.
User avatar
Nordlandia
Posts: 2821
Joined: Fri Sep 25, 2015 9:38 pm
Location: Sortland, Norway

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Nordlandia »

Komodo is worth buying i'd say. Not only that, support goes to a good cause. Further development, et cetera

There is some positions where Komodo play better chess than stockfish. For instance positional fragments involving material imbalances.

Before Leela entered the scene, Komodo was capable to outplay Stockfish in many position where SF thinked it standed better. Now Leela is a more
beefy opponent as leela play arguable better positionaly than stockfish.
Paloma
Posts: 1167
Joined: Thu Dec 25, 2008 9:07 pm
Full name: Herbert L

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Paloma »

Krzysztof Grzelak wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2020 3:12 pm
I decided to test the latest version of the chess engine Komodo a little - with the question whether it is worth buying this engine.
How can you test Komodo without having bought it ? :shock: :shock:
User avatar
Ovyron
Posts: 4556
Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2007 4:30 am

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Ovyron »

Nordlandia wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:32 pm Before Leela entered the scene, Komodo was capable to outplay Stockfish in many position where SF thinked it standed better. Now Leela is a more
beefy opponent as leela play arguable better positionaly than stockfish.
Note Komodo's value decreased after the appearance of Leela because Leela is free. If Ethereal also passes Komodo then it'll be an ever harder sell.
Krzysztof Grzelak
Posts: 1525
Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 12:47 pm

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Krzysztof Grzelak »

There are the next Komodo tests.

Match Fire 7.1 x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64

Engine setting " Fire 7.1 x64 "

Threads = 16
Contempt = 0
Syzygy 50 Move Rule = On
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Syzygy Probe Depth = 2
Syzygy Probe Limit = 6

Engine setting " Komodo 13.3 x64 "

Threads = 16
Table Memory = 512
Overhead ms = 30
Time Usage = 0
Use Syzygy = On
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Syzygy Probe Depth = 2
Syzygy Probe Limit = 6
Syzygy 50 Move Rule = On
Contempt = 0

Match Fire 7.1 x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64 - match results - +1 =34 -15

The next match was played with the engine Ethereal 12.01.

Match Ethereal 12.01 x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64

Engine setting " Ethereal 12.01 x64 "

Threads = 16
ContemptDrawPenalty = 12
ContemptComplexity = 12
Move Overhead = 30
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Syzygy Probe Depth = 2

Engine setting " Komodo 13.3 x64 "

Threads = 16
Table Memory = 512
Overhead ms = 30
Time Usage = 0
Use Syzygy = On
SyzygyPath = d:/Syzygy
Syzygy Probe Depth = 2
Syzygy Probe Limit = 6
Syzygy 50 Move Rule = On
Contempt = 0

Match Ethereal 12.01 x64 - Komodo 13.3 x64 - match results - +2 =39 -9

All matches are played on Shredder Classic 5 - book - Perfect 2019 - Hash - 4096 gb - Time game - 5 minutes + 3 seconds -
Ponder - Off - Tablebases - 6 man Syzygy. Both "pgn" files are available in the links below:

https://www.mirrored.to/files/PWLOCH9T/ ... .rar_links
https://www.mirrored.to/files/ZW9QBMDE/ ... .rar_links

Soon another Komodo engine tests.
mar
Posts: 2554
Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2010 2:00 pm
Location: Czech Republic
Full name: Martin Sedlak

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by mar »

Krzysztof Grzelak wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2020 3:12 pm Komodo - is it worth buying. That is the question.
so far your tests show that Komodo is the "best engine money can buy" (to paraphrase Houdart's quote)

btw you still haven't answered Paloma's question; unless you're an official tester (in which case you wouldn't ask) or have actually bought it ((in which case you wouldn't ask); because otherwise that would make you a thief ;)
Martin Sedlak
User avatar
Master Om
Posts: 449
Joined: Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:57 am
Location: INDIA

Re: Komodo - is it worth it.

Post by Master Om »

Gejsi Marku wrote: Sun Mar 15, 2020 4:16 pm I find Komodo very useful in certain situations. I love the fact it is not a Stockfish like engine.
Can u show me some situations where Komodo does and SF doesnot ?

I am ICCF player and I haven't found any yet.
Always Expect the Unexpected