Deep Saros ver. 4.1.6 released.

After a decent performance obtained in the last tournament of Graham Banks (Don Daley Tribute), I wanted to make more efficient the engine.
DeepSaros wasted many points against weaker opponents, so I implemented a rudimentary function of contempt.

They were also introduced several optimizations, to make the search faster and more efficiently.

The value of the units and the weights of the positional factors have been balanced. The engine now is more balanced and objective in his evaluations.

For installation, follow the instructions in the file 'ReadMe.txt'. To adjust the parameters, read the file 'parameters.txt'. 

For download, see the Downloads Page.

Version 4.1.3c is released.

- correct a serious bug in Time Manager;
- allow the Fisher Random mode (Chess 960);
- correct a bug in Draw Factor.

Go to download page...

Don Dailey Tribute 8CPU (starting soon)

Graham Banks has just started a tournament in memory of the late Don Daley. Deep Saros still suffers of a not optimal Time Manager, but this is a good opportunity to see if he is worthy to aspire to fight with the best engines...

Xeon X5430x2 Octal
ChessGUI
2048mb hash per engine where possible
3-4-5 piece tablebases
Ponder off
ICCFMasters2011.cgb book (limited to 12 move depth)
40 moves in 29 minutes repeating (equivalent to CCRL 40/40)
All engines 64-bit 8CPU where available
2 cycles 26 rounds

Participants

Houdini 4 64-bit 8CPU
Komodo TCEC 64-bit 8CPU
Stockfish DD 64-bit 8CPU
Critter 1.6a 64-bit 8CPU
Rybka 4.1 64-bit 8CPU
Bouquet 1.8 64-bit 8CPU
Gull 2.3 64-bit 8CPU
DeepSaros 4.1.3b 64-bit 8CPU
Sting SF 4 8CPU
Hannibal 1.4b 64-bit 8CPU
Protector 1.5.0 64-bit 8CPU
Chiron 1.5 64-bit 8CPU
Hiarcs 14 8CPU
Deep Junior Yokohama 64-bit 8CPU

Deep Saros ver. 4.1.3b released.

News:

- some experiments in low depth search
- draw factor parameter (contempt)
- PV Hash parameter

Download it in the Download Page...

DeepSaros ver. 4.1.2 it has not been prepared for the challenges against other engines, this is not his goal, but it's a chess engine designed exclusively for chess players who are searching variants and game plans sharp and speculative.
 
Here are some examples of how it is possible, using DeepSaros 4.1.2 to find continuations original and elegantly.

Karpov - Gelfand. Linares, 1993.

In this position, DeepSaros offers immediately the move used by Karpov in the game: 1.Rd1-d5!

Minasian-Jonkman. Anibal op, 2000

Even in this position DeepSaros suggest: 1.Rd1xd6!

Another nice position:

Karpov-Kasparov. New York, 1991

Here, all chess engines suggest the move: 1.Bf8, with draw... But not DeepSaros!
He embraces the choice, brave and speculative, of Gary Kasparov and play 1.Rxe3!


These choices are the best ever?
Probably not. Against a computer, no ... But against a human player, I say yes!
The psychological effect is very important in chess, and that's why the moves unusual and surprising, often have a deadly effect.
Take, eg., the last diagram. Maybe Houdini able to resist the sacrifice of the Black, but a human being? Even a great champion like karpov did not succeed...