Arena 3.5

[Michael Diosi]

Hi,

Arena 3.5 is available for download from
the Arena page. This is what it's new:

Most important changes compared to last public version 3.0:

PGN:

• Filter (=Search) positions in PGN
  PGN lists faster sorting
  PGN loads faster
  Rare PGN loading errors fixed
  "PGN->New" command handled correctly: "Select new PGN file"-dialogue, then you can paste PGNs from Clipboard into empty file
  Filter Game Data: Progress bar updated during filtering
  You can now filter games with date ranges
  "Filter games with some fields did not work"- bug removed
  Useless "?"-s removed in PGN list
  PGN and EPD lists can be always on top (click on the icon in the top left corner to see the system menu of the window)
  Arena now remembers column width of PGN and EPD lists
  Arena reads short comments (! ? etc) from PGNs, also in PGN book import

Engines:

• Common max. CPU cores setting for UCI engines
  Switching engine from UCI to Winboard if it is apparent (if engine sends "error: uci", we go Winboard)
  UCI Filter can be switched off for analysis
  Engines can be locked to position, you can go to the lock position
  Engines can be paused, if you have temporarily other things to do with your PC Java engines easier selectable

Settings:

• Default graphics scheme is now BirchTauri
  Tablebases piece letters localised, Gaviota TB information added
  Lists black background bug removed
  Colours for pieces
  Added horizontal scroll buttons for mainlines
  Analysis lines additional option: kNodes in mainlines
  Analysis lines additional option: Show # of cores
  Displaying engine time for the pvs now (was generated by Arena before)
  Analysis lines additional option: Compact variation display (show line only if first move changed)
  Analysis lines additional option: Short form for boxes (e.g. "D" instead of "Depth")
  Re-sizable logo area
  Dialogues clearer design
  Pieces from True Type fonts can now also use Unicode fonts

Tournaments:

• Early draw adjudication (if value = zero) in tournaments
  Table based draw adjudication in tournaments
  Tournament ponder+book bugs fixed
  Arena uses less CPU time in demo and tournament mode
  Bugs where tournament area fonts not selectable removed

Misc:

• Opening classification improved (compares position instead of move sequence)
  Add variation to game: Pop-up menu item and from variation board
  Bug fixes in variation board
  Warnings if too much RAM or too many cores configured
  Autoplayer repaired
  "Book moves not displayed"- bug removed
  "Engine not playing if previous move from Arena engine book"- bug removed
  Ponder display improved
  Save position in EPD format
  Get position in The Problemist format (www.theproblemist.org) from clipboard, no fairy pieces
  Log window now faster and coloured (colours come from arrow colours)
  More player graphics possible
  (http://sourceforge.net/projects/scid/fi ... est%20data, unzip to <Arena>\Graphics\Players)
  Mouse wheel scrolls mainlines and EPD list if above them
  Tool bar can also be on left side
  Option to extract player's country from name, e.g.:(ITA) -> Shows Italian flag
  Help files updated

Please let us know about bugs.

By the way this is what happens when you belive Mr. Duble Dutch as well as Russian sources.

Enjoy!

Michael
http://www.playwitharena.com

[hgm]

You mean otherwise it would not have happened? People should be grateful to me, then!

But still no FRC without Polyglot adapter, I gather?
And a bit weird, of course, that the common max CPU parameter would only work for UCI engines, and not be used for WinBoard engines...

[jd1]

Thank you!

[SzG]

You mean otherwise it would not have happened? People should be grateful to me, then!

But still no FRC without Polyglot adapter, I gather?
And a bit weird, of course, that the common max CPU parameter would only work for UCI engines, and not be used for WinBoard engines...

It seems there is a separate parameter for setting max. CPU's for WB engines.

[hgm]

And also for their hash size, I believe (at least in a previous version). This seems a bit bizar, though. I cannot imagine that there are users that would want WB engines to play with one number of CPUs, and UCI engines with another...

[Kyodai]

You mean otherwise it would not have happened? People should be grateful to me, then!

But still no FRC without Polyglot adapter, I gather?
And a bit weird, of course, that the common max CPU parameter would only work for UCI engines, and not be used for WinBoard engines...

Yes H-G, and now we can all rejoice with the new Arena !

Surely we are all happy for this contribution to the chess community

Totally for free and all in positive spirit!

Thanks

[SzG]

Unfortunately, a very comfortable feature has been spoiled with this release. When you set up a tournament and give it a name, all relevant files (the tournament administration file, the PGN, the results) used to take over that name automatically. Now all file names default to 'Arena chess game' and the tournament administration file (*.at) is not created at all (!) unless you save your tournament. Luckily, I observed this after the first game, otherwise I would have lost the whole tournament.
I am afraid this is intended as a feature...

[beachknight]

Unfortunately, a very comfortable feature has been spoiled with this release. When you set up a tournament and give it a name, all relevant files (the tournament administration file, the PGN, the results) used to take over that name automatically. Now all file names default to 'Arena chess game' and the tournament administration file (*.at) is not created at all (!) unless you save your tournament. Luckily, I observed this after the first game, otherwise I would have lost the whole tournament.
I am afraid this is intended as a feature...

Thanks Gabor.
Best,

[beachknight]

Thanks for the new release.
Best,

[Jouni]

Really great news! But I first tested match from EPD file and repeated colors. First position is still played 4 times .