TCEC: Superfinal Houdini vs Komodo

by Stephan Oliver Platz
11/23/2017 – Over the years the "Thoresen Chess Engines Competition" (TCEC) has become the unofficial Computer World Championship and the very best programs start in this tournament. After two qualifiers, season 10 now finishes with the superfinal in which Komodo faces Houdini. They play 100 games against each other, and the games are shared live on PlayChess. As a bonus, we bring you a brief modern history of computer chess.
ChessBase's rights to use the Stockfish software are under the terms of the GPL-3.0 licence. ChessBase has agreed with the Stockfish team to cease distributing the product for a period ending on 7 November 2023.

Fritz 16 is looking forward to playing with you, and you're certain to have a great deal of fun with him too. Tense games and even well-fought victories await you with "Easy play" and "Assisted analysis" modes.

Thoresen Chess Engines Competition

Season 10

After the retroactive disqualification of Rybka by the ICGA in 2011, computer chess fans have more and more focused on the TCEC tournament (1), which many see as real Computer Chess World Championship. After all, Rybka and other strong programs which did not take part in the ICGA tournaments were allowed to start in TCEC tournaments.

The prestige of this event is even higher because all participating programs run on identical hardware and because after a number of qualifiers the two strongest programs meet in a so-called "superfinal". Here, each program plays the same opening positions twice, once with white, once with black. This helps to level the field.

Superfinal: Houdini vs Komodo

The finalists are Houdini and Komodo which play 100 games against each other. The programmers were allowed to hand in new, improved program versions for the final which began on Monday, November 20th, 2017. It looks like Houdini may be running away with it, as after 16 games, the program leads with 4 wins and no losses. The table below will remain current. Remember this is a 100 game match!

Current standings

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Karthik Venkataraman-Horvath
MoveNResultEloPlayers
Position not in LiveBook
1.e4 2.9 c5 5.9 2.Nf3 6 e6 4 3.d4 1:13 cxd4 5 4.Nxd4 5 Nc6 5 5.Nc3 1:10 Nf6 5 6.Ndb5 11 Bc5 1:47 7.Bf4 15 0-0 5 8.Bc7 1:18 Qe7 4 9.Bd6 5 Bxd6 3 10.Qxd6 9 Qd8 3 11.Nc7 1:42 Rb8 11 12.Be2 10 b5 1:19 13.e5 10 Ne8 34 14.Nxe8 6 b4 18 15.Ne4 8:09 Rxe8 1:52 16.0-0 17 Qb6 16:09 17.Rfd1 28:28 Ne7 2:13 18.Rd2 14:07 Nf5 30:37 19.Qxb6 1:47 Rxb6 8 20.a4 9:02 bxa3 9:42 21.b3 14 Rb4 11:19 22.f3 6:12 Bb7 10:33 23.Nc5 38 Bd5 6:41 24.Rxa3 16 Rc8 2:12 25.Rxa7 1:36 Rd4 15 26.Nd3 5 d6 1:46 27.exd6 7:44 Nxd6 4 28.c4 4 Bc6 12 29.Rda2 7 f6 1:23 30.Nc5 1:38 e5 3:09 31.Ne6 31 Rh4 10 32.Rxg7+ 1:06 Kh8 2 33.Raa7 24 Nf5 10 34.Rgc7 30 1–0
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StWhiteEloWBlackEloBResRndid
Harikrishnan.A.Ra2467Kushal O20923.11114382
Abrahamyan,T2310Lee,A23863.21279479
Srihari L R2481Prudhvi Kumar V21793.31114385
Vachier-Lagrave,M2722Kadric,D25337.131124003
Petrov,N2567Mamedyarov,S27487.141124004
Maghsoodloo,P2684Erdos,V25427.151124005
Esipenko,A2696Perunovic,M25017.171124007
Heinbuch,D2263Mueller,M23076.31108589
Lehaci,M2212Atalik,E23754.201123837
Kushagra Mohan2400Pranesh M25723.21114383
Raja Rithvik R2538Srihari L R24813.41114387
Ju,W2561Tan,Z25551.11105722
Saric,I2659Parligras,M25077.11123985
Kozul,Z2507Brkic,A25867.21123986
Martinovic,S2549Mohr,G23857.31123988
Schnider,G2368Bosiocic,M25227.41123989
Livaic,L2536Fahrner,K22667.51123990
Krebs,J2231Saric,A24907.61123991
Hodisch,J-Nisipeanu,L25797.71123994
Michalik,P2563Vitouch,A22717.81123995
Rubil,M2276Vogel,R25577.91123996
Votava,J2455Kuthan,A21367.101124000
Lovrinovic,C2062Lanka,Z23267.111124001
Schiestl,J2068Karelina,P19037.121124002
Sankalp Gupta2548Sarana,A26727.161124006
Ivanisevic,I2527Bacrot,E26337.181124008
Dragnev,V2538Mons,L24797.191124009
Koelle,T2459Banusz,T25927.201124010
Blohberger,F2511Deuer,M24647.211124011
Rosner,J2430Peyrer,K24517.221124012
Froewis,G2429Hacker,J23707.231124014
Hinterreiter,M2236Balint,P23667.241124015
Karthik Venkataraman2565Horvath,D25437.251124024
Kozak,A2598Pajeken,J24357.261124025
Janzelj,T2404Markus,R25957.271124026
Korpa,B2543Sebenik,M24917.281124027
Schreiner,P2425Subelj,J25287.291124028
Gschnitzer,A2430Dotzer,L24537.301124029
Pechac,J2600Ragger,M25857.311124032
Costa,L2510Zilka,S25157.321124033
Hracek,Z2538Halvax,G24417.331124035
Genser,H2271Stalmach,R24277.341124037
Haba,P2413Hartl,D22717.351124038
Steiner,J2046Bures,J23967.361124039
Hess,C2168Schneider-Zinner,H23276.11108587
Pieper,T2178Belke,F22356.21108588
Pollmann,S2071Cordts,I21516.41108590
Marentini,M2036Lindam,I21516.51108591
Scheckenbach,F2045Loew,G21756.61108592
Schwarz,A2120Moritz,H20016.71108593
Schrems,H2114Kutschenko,R19946.81108595
Templin,K2039Kannenberg,K21136.91108597
Mareck,S2112Wiendieck,J19926.101108585
Narva,M2380Kirtadze,A21804.11123810
Roebers,E2367Batsiashvili,N24734.21123811
Radeva,V2297Khotenashvili,B24184.31123812
Brunello,M2330Beydullayeva,G24004.41123813
Danielian,E2398Toncheva,N23294.51123814
Mkrtchian,L2388Antolak,J23144.61123815
Maltsevskaya,A2376Unuk,L23014.71123818
Calzetta Ruiz,M2230Socko,M23694.81123819
Urh,Z2244Bulmaga,I23624.91123820
Zherebtsova,A2229Savina,A23314.101123822
Ibrahimova,S2199Arabidze,M24474.111123824
Mkrtchyan,M2282Injac,T24544.121123826
Tsolakidou,S2445Allahverdiyeva,A22664.131123828
Sieber,F2276Wagner,D24404.141123829
Schneider,J2251Ushenina,A24284.151123830
Stefanova,A2426Velikic,A22144.161123831
Kulon,K2401Jarocka,L22314.171123833
Krasteva,B2257Daulyte-Cornette,D23894.181123835
Gevorgyan,M2234Fataliyeva,U23874.191123836
Milliet,S2371Mgeladze,K22004.211123840
Kiolbasa,O2360Dwilewicz,K22034.221123843
Gaponenko,I2349Huseynova,L20654.231123844
Karacsonyi,K2198Mammadova,G23424.241123845
Zhukova,N2306Korenova,M20454.251123854
Kochavi,D2301Hapala,E20924.261123855
Golsta,M1979Heinemann,J22974.271123856
Rida,R2065Yao,L22944.281123857
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Fritz 16 is looking forward to playing with you, and you're certain to have a great deal of fun with him too. Tense games and even well-fought victories await you with "Easy play" and "Assisted analysis" modes.


All Superfinal games

 
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How they got here

The 10th edition — "Season 10" — started October 14th, 2017. In stage 1, 24 programs battled it out and Komodo won.

Stage 1

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All Stage 1 games

 
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MoveNResultEloPlayers
1.e41,165,57054%2421---
1.d4946,47455%2434---
1.Nf3281,31256%2441---
1.c4181,93756%2442---
1.g319,68856%2427---
1.b314,23654%2427---
1.f45,88648%2377---
1.Nc33,79651%2384---
1.b41,75348%2380---
1.a31,19754%2403---
1.e31,06848%2408---
1.d394850%2378---
1.g466246%2361---
1.h444653%2374---
1.c342651%2425---
1.h327956%2416---
1.a410860%2468---
1.f39147%2431---
1.Nh38966%2508---
1.Na34262%2482---
1.c4 c5 2.Nc3 g6 3.g3 Nc6 4.Bg2 Bg7 5.Nf3 e6 6.d3 d5 7.cxd5 exd5 8.0-0 Nge7 9.Bf4 0-0 10.a3 Bg4 11.h3 Bxf3 12.Bxf3 Nd4 13.Bg2 Ne6 14.Bd2 Qd6 15.Qb3 Rad8 16.Rad1 Rd7 17.Qa2 a5 18.a4 Rfd8 19.Rfe1 Qb8 20.Nb5 b6 21.e3 Nf5 22.Re2 Nc7 23.Nxc7 Qxc7 24.Ree1 Re8 25.Qb3 Bf6 26.Qb5 Re6 27.Qb3 Nxg3 28.fxg3 Qxg3 29.Rf1 Be5 30.Rf3 Qh2+ 31.Kf1 Rdd6 32.d4 cxd4 33.Qd3 Rf6 34.exd4 Rxf3+ 35.Bxf3 Qxh3+ 36.Ke2 Qh2+ 37.Kf1 Bg3 38.Qe2 Qh4 39.Qg2 Re6 40.b4 axb4 41.Bxb4 h5 42.Rd3 Be1 43.Bd2 Bxd2 44.Qxd2 Qg3 45.Qf2 Qg5 46.Qd2 Qf5 47.Kg1 g5 48.Bg2 g4 49.Rc3 h4 50.Rc8+ Kg7 51.Rd8 Rf6 52.Rxd5 Qf4 53.Qxf4 Rxf4 54.Bf1 Kg6 55.Rd6+ Kg5 56.Rxb6 Rxd4 57.a5 Rd1 58.a6 Ra1 59.Rb7 f5 60.a7 h3 61.Kh2 Ra2+ 62.Kh1 Kh4 63.Rf7 Kg3 64.Rxf5 Rxa7 65.Bxh3 Kxh3 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017A37TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Chiron 0409173004Stockfish 04101732270–12017A84TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Jonny 8.13040Gaviota 1.0127571–02017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Hannibal 1210173012Fruit 3.226061–02017A00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Ginkgo 23042Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017A10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Rybka 4.13102Booot 6.23047½–½2017D32TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Fire 6.13113Houdini 6.0231840–12017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Laser 2009172660Texel 1.07a3529650–12017A35TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Fizbo 1.912899Komodo 1937.003230½–½2017A05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Wasp 2.52824Nemorino 3.0428991–02017E06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Gull 33112Arasan 20.22741½–½2017A21TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Bobcat 82891Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017A92TCEC Season 10 - Stage 11
Nirvana 2.43034Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017A56TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Arasan 20.22741Bobcat 828910–12017E92TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Nemorino 3.042899Gull 331120–12017A04TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Komodo 1937.003230Wasp 2.528241–02017C25TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Texel 1.07a352965Fizbo 1.9128991–02017D39TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Houdini 6.023184Laser 20091726601–02017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Booot 6.23047Fire 6.131130–12017C69TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Rybka 4.131020–12017D00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Fruit 3.22606Ginkgo 230420–12017A89TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Gaviota 1.012757Hannibal 12101730120–12017A45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Stockfish 0410173227Jonny 8.130401–02017B30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Chiron 0409173004½–½2017A48TCEC Season 10 - Stage 12
Chiron 0409173004Nirvana 2.430341–02017B01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Jonny 8.13040Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017E64TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Hannibal 1210173012Stockfish 0410173227½–½2017D22TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Ginkgo 23042Gaviota 1.012757½–½2017A43TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Rybka 4.13102Fruit 3.22606½–½2017B01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Fire 6.13113Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017B23TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Laser 2009172660Booot 6.23047½–½2017B03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Fizbo 1.912899Houdini 6.023184½–½2017B52TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Wasp 2.52824Texel 1.07a352965½–½2017B29TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Gull 33112Komodo 1937.0032300–12017B90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Bobcat 82891Nemorino 3.0428991–02017A03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Andscacs 0.923094Arasan 20.227411–02017B15TCEC Season 10 - Stage 13
Nirvana 2.43034Arasan 20.227411–02017A03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Nemorino 3.042899Andscacs 0.9230940–12017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Komodo 1937.003230Bobcat 828911–02017B13TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Texel 1.07a352965Gull 33112½–½2017A00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Houdini 6.023184Wasp 2.52824½–½2017E61TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Booot 6.23047Fizbo 1.9128991–02017D11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Laser 20091726601–02017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Fruit 3.22606Fire 6.131130–12017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Gaviota 1.012757Rybka 4.13102½–½2017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Stockfish 0410173227Ginkgo 230421–02017A44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Hannibal 1210173012½–½2017D32TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Chiron 0409173004Jonny 8.130401–02017A04TCEC Season 10 - Stage 14
Jonny 8.13040Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017A36TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Hannibal 1210173012Chiron 0409173004½–½2017C25TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Ginkgo 23042Vajolet2 2.3.22918½–½2017D39TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Rybka 4.13102Stockfish 04101732270–12017E60TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Fire 6.13113Gaviota 1.0127571–02017C00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Laser 2009172660Fruit 3.226060–12017B28TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Fizbo 1.912899Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017A00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Wasp 2.52824Booot 6.23047½–½2017C30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Gull 33112Houdini 6.023184½–½2017C54TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Bobcat 82891Texel 1.07a352965½–½2017A20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Andscacs 0.923094Komodo 1937.003230½–½2017A35TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Arasan 20.22741Nemorino 3.042899½–½2017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 15
Nirvana 2.43034Nemorino 3.042899½–½2017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Komodo 1937.003230Arasan 20.227411–02017B53TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Texel 1.07a352965Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017B34TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Houdini 6.023184Bobcat 82891½–½2017E01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Booot 6.23047Gull 33112½–½2017D79TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Wasp 2.528240–12017B23TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Fruit 3.22606Fizbo 1.9128990–12017B24TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Gaviota 1.012757Laser 20091726601–02017A40TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Stockfish 0410173227Fire 6.131131–02017A45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Rybka 4.13102½–½2017A06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Chiron 0409173004Ginkgo 23042½–½2017C24TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Jonny 8.13040Hannibal 12101730121–02017A04TCEC Season 10 - Stage 16
Hannibal 1210173012Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017C30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Ginkgo 23042Jonny 8.13040½–½2017D06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Rybka 4.13102Chiron 04091730040–12017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Fire 6.13113Vajolet2 2.3.22918½–½2017A03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Laser 2009172660Stockfish 04101732270–12017D00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Fizbo 1.912899Gaviota 1.0127571–02017B27TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Wasp 2.52824Fruit 3.226060–12017E14TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Gull 33112Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017E90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Bobcat 82891Booot 6.23047½–½2017B15TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Andscacs 0.923094Houdini 6.023184½–½2017A50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Arasan 20.22741Texel 1.07a3529651–02017C43TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Nemorino 3.042899Komodo 1937.0032300–12017A03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 17
Nirvana 2.43034Komodo 1937.0032300–12017A50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Texel 1.07a352965Nemorino 3.0428991–02017E61TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Houdini 6.023184Arasan 20.227411–02017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Booot 6.23047Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017B08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Bobcat 828910–12017C18TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Fruit 3.22606Gull 331120–12017D47TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Gaviota 1.012757Wasp 2.52824½–½2017A44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Stockfish 0410173227Fizbo 1.9128991–02017D12TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Laser 20091726601–02017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Chiron 0409173004Fire 6.13113½–½2017A28TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Jonny 8.13040Rybka 4.131021–02017D06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Hannibal 1210173012Ginkgo 230420–12017B07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 18
Ginkgo 23042Nirvana 2.430341–02017D13TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Rybka 4.13102Hannibal 1210173012½–½2017A07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Fire 6.13113Jonny 8.130401–02017B14TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Laser 2009172660Chiron 0409173004½–½2017A40TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Fizbo 1.912899Vajolet2 2.3.229180–12017B06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Wasp 2.52824Stockfish 04101732270–12017B30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Gull 33112Gaviota 1.0127571–02017C31TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Bobcat 82891Fruit 3.226061–02017B56TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Andscacs 0.923094Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017A45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Arasan 20.22741Booot 6.230470–12017A07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Nemorino 3.042899Houdini 6.0231840–12017B30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Komodo 1937.003230Texel 1.07a3529651–02017C20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 19
Nirvana 2.43034Texel 1.07a3529651–02017A43TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Houdini 6.023184Komodo 1937.003230½–½2017A20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Booot 6.23047Nemorino 3.0428991–02017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Arasan 20.227410–12017A09TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Fruit 3.22606Andscacs 0.9230940–12017A25TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Gaviota 1.012757Bobcat 82891½–½2017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Stockfish 0410173227Gull 331121–02017C58TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Wasp 2.528240–12017A11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Chiron 0409173004Fizbo 1.912899½–½2017D39TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Jonny 8.13040Laser 20091726601–02017C50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Hannibal 1210173012Fire 6.13113½–½2017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Ginkgo 23042Rybka 4.131021–02017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 110
Rybka 4.13102Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017A95TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Fire 6.13113Ginkgo 23042½–½2017C55TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Laser 2009172660Hannibal 12101730120–12017D01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Fizbo 1.912899Jonny 8.13040½–½2017A08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Wasp 2.52824Chiron 0409173004½–½2017A17TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Gull 33112Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Bobcat 82891Stockfish 04101732270–12017B07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Andscacs 0.923094Gaviota 1.0127571–02017D77TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Arasan 20.22741Fruit 3.22606½–½2017A11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Nemorino 3.042899Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017D07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Komodo 1937.003230Booot 6.230471–02017B31TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Texel 1.07a352965Houdini 6.0231840–12017A88TCEC Season 10 - Stage 111
Nirvana 2.43034Houdini 6.0231840–12017C21TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Booot 6.23047Texel 1.07a3529651–02017C14TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Komodo 1937.0032300–12017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Fruit 3.22606Nemorino 3.042899½–½2017A28TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Gaviota 1.012757Arasan 20.227410–12017B28TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Stockfish 0410173227Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017B02TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Bobcat 82891½–½2017A00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Chiron 0409173004Gull 33112½–½2017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Jonny 8.13040Wasp 2.52824½–½2017D97TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Hannibal 1210173012Fizbo 1.912899½–½2017A11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Ginkgo 23042Laser 20091726601–02017A04TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Rybka 4.13102Fire 6.13113½–½2017A20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 112
Fire 6.13113Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017A40TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Laser 2009172660Rybka 4.131020–12017D30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Fizbo 1.912899Ginkgo 23042½–½2017B07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Wasp 2.52824Hannibal 12101730120–12017D02TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Gull 33112Jonny 8.130401–02017D85TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Bobcat 82891Chiron 0409173004½–½2017B08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Andscacs 0.923094Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017B22TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Arasan 20.22741Stockfish 0410173227½–½2017B34TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Nemorino 3.042899Gaviota 1.0127571–02017C42TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Komodo 1937.003230Fruit 3.226061–02017D37TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Texel 1.07a352965Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017B21TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Houdini 6.023184Booot 6.230471–02017A40TCEC Season 10 - Stage 113
Nirvana 2.43034Booot 6.230470–12017C00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Houdini 6.0231840–12017D18TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Fruit 3.22606Texel 1.07a352965½–½2017A20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Gaviota 1.012757Komodo 1937.0032300–12017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Stockfish 0410173227Nemorino 3.0428991–02017A05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Arasan 20.22741½–½2017A41TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Chiron 0409173004Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017D85TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Jonny 8.13040Bobcat 828911–02017A03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Hannibal 1210173012Gull 33112½–½2017A45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Ginkgo 23042Wasp 2.52824½–½2017A10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Rybka 4.13102Fizbo 1.912899½–½2017A27TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Fire 6.13113Laser 20091726601–02017A20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 114
Laser 2009172660Nirvana 2.430340–12017D85TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Fizbo 1.912899Fire 6.131131–02017E15TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Wasp 2.52824Rybka 4.13102½–½2017A09TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Gull 33112Ginkgo 23042½–½2017D30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Bobcat 82891Hannibal 1210173012½–½2017A16TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Andscacs 0.923094Jonny 8.130401–02017B04TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Arasan 20.22741Chiron 0409173004½–½2017A34TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Nemorino 3.042899Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017A57TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Komodo 1937.003230Stockfish 0410173227½–½2017B12TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Texel 1.07a352965Gaviota 1.0127571–02017C11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Houdini 6.023184Fruit 3.22606½–½2017C36TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Booot 6.23047Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 115
Nirvana 2.43034Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017A00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Fruit 3.22606Booot 6.230470–12017C20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Gaviota 1.012757Houdini 6.023184½–½2017C01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Stockfish 0410173227Texel 1.07a3529651–02017A30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Komodo 1937.003230½–½2017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Chiron 0409173004Nemorino 3.0428991–02017A42TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Jonny 8.13040Arasan 20.227411–02017A46TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Hannibal 1210173012Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017D44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Ginkgo 23042Bobcat 828911–02017A30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Rybka 4.13102Gull 331120–12017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Fire 6.13113Wasp 2.528241–02017A53TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Laser 2009172660Fizbo 1.9128990–12017B88TCEC Season 10 - Stage 116
Fizbo 1.912899Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Wasp 2.52824Laser 20091726601–02017D31TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Gull 33112Fire 6.13113½–½2017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Bobcat 82891Rybka 4.13102½–½2017B32TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Andscacs 0.923094Ginkgo 23042½–½2017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Arasan 20.22741Hannibal 12101730121–02017A04TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Nemorino 3.042899Jonny 8.13040½–½2017C50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Komodo 1937.003230Chiron 0409173004½–½2017A19TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Texel 1.07a352965Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017A41TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Houdini 6.023184Stockfish 0410173227½–½2017C54TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Booot 6.23047Gaviota 1.0127571–02017A35TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Fruit 3.22606½–½2017C02TCEC Season 10 - Stage 117
Nirvana 2.43034Fruit 3.226061–02017B06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Gaviota 1.012757Hakkapeliitta 21041627780–12017C39TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Stockfish 0410173227Booot 6.23047½–½2017C47TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Houdini 6.023184½–½2017B18TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Chiron 0409173004Texel 1.07a3529651–02017B01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Jonny 8.13040Komodo 1937.0032300–12017C08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Hannibal 1210173012Nemorino 3.0428991–02017B06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Ginkgo 23042Arasan 20.227411–02017B08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Rybka 4.13102Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017C00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Fire 6.13113Bobcat 828911–02017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Laser 2009172660Gull 331120–12017D35TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Fizbo 1.912899Wasp 2.528241–02017A09TCEC Season 10 - Stage 118
Wasp 2.52824Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017A05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Gull 33112Fizbo 1.912899½–½2017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Bobcat 82891Laser 20091726601–02017D00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Andscacs 0.923094Fire 6.13113½–½2017B30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Arasan 20.22741Rybka 4.13102½–½2017C00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Nemorino 3.042899Ginkgo 230420–12017B52TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Komodo 1937.003230Hannibal 12101730121–02017A43TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Texel 1.07a352965Jonny 8.13040½–½2017B15TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Houdini 6.023184Chiron 04091730041–02017A90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Booot 6.23047Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017A38TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Stockfish 04101732270–12017A88TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Fruit 3.22606Gaviota 1.012757½–½2017A08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 119
Nirvana 2.43034Gaviota 1.0127571–02017D59TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Stockfish 0410173227Fruit 3.226061–02017B23TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Hakkapeliitta 21041627781–02017D30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Chiron 0409173004Booot 6.23047½–½2017D02TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Jonny 8.13040Houdini 6.023184½–½2017D45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Hannibal 1210173012Texel 1.07a352965½–½2017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Ginkgo 23042Komodo 1937.0032300–12017A90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Rybka 4.13102Nemorino 3.0428991–02017B00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Fire 6.13113Arasan 20.227411–02017D83TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Laser 2009172660Andscacs 0.9230940–12017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Fizbo 1.912899Bobcat 828911–02017A55TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Wasp 2.52824Gull 33112½–½2017C48TCEC Season 10 - Stage 120
Gull 33112Nirvana 2.43034½–½2017D00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Bobcat 82891Wasp 2.528241–02017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Andscacs 0.923094Fizbo 1.9128991–02017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Arasan 20.22741Laser 20091726601–02017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Nemorino 3.042899Fire 6.131130–12017A80TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Komodo 1937.003230Rybka 4.131021–02017A29TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Texel 1.07a352965Ginkgo 23042½–½2017E16TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Houdini 6.023184Hannibal 1210173012½–½2017A46TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Booot 6.23047Jonny 8.13040½–½2017D41TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Chiron 04091730040–12017D00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Fruit 3.22606Vajolet2 2.3.22918½–½2017D10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Gaviota 1.012757Stockfish 0410173227½–½2017A88TCEC Season 10 - Stage 121
Nirvana 2.43034Stockfish 0410173227½–½2017A50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Vajolet2 2.3.22918Gaviota 1.0127571–02017A30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Chiron 0409173004Fruit 3.226061–02017A10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Jonny 8.13040Hakkapeliitta 2104162778½–½2017A22TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Hannibal 1210173012Booot 6.23047½–½2017B08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Ginkgo 23042Houdini 6.023184½–½2017B35TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Rybka 4.13102Texel 1.07a3529650–12017A17TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Fire 6.13113Komodo 1937.0032300–12017B20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Laser 2009172660Nemorino 3.0428990–12017A03TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Fizbo 1.912899Arasan 20.227411–02017B13TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Wasp 2.52824Andscacs 0.923094½–½2017C41TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Gull 33112Bobcat 82891½–½2017A05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 122
Bobcat 82891Nirvana 2.430340–12017C39TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Andscacs 0.923094Gull 33112½–½2017B45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Arasan 20.22741Wasp 2.528241–02017A53TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Nemorino 3.042899Fizbo 1.912899½–½2017D30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Komodo 1937.003230Laser 20091726601–02017C07TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Texel 1.07a352965Fire 6.131130–12017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Houdini 6.023184Rybka 4.131021–02017A60TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Booot 6.23047Ginkgo 230421–02017A45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Hakkapeliitta 2104162778Hannibal 12101730120–12017A34TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Fruit 3.22606Jonny 8.130400–12017A00TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Gaviota 1.012757Chiron 04091730040–12017A40TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123
Stockfish 0410173227Vajolet2 2.3.229181–02017A50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 123

The multiple computer chess world champion comes in a new and yet more powerful version. Thanks to co-author US Grandmaster Larry Kaufman, Komodo is the strategist among the top chess programs!


Stage 2

In stage 2 the eight best programs played against each other and this turned an exciting fight between Houdini, Komodo, and Stockfish, the winner of last year's edition. In the end Houdini and Komodo finished first with 18½/28 while Stockfish narrowly failed to qualify for the superfinal.

Standings

Click or tap on the table to expand

All Stage 2 games

 
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MoveNResultEloPlayers
Replay and check the LiveBook here
1.b3 f5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 d6 4.d4 g6 5.g3 Bg7 6.Bg2 0-0 7.Bb2 c6 8.0-0 Na6 9.Nbd2 e5 10.dxe5 Nd7 11.Qc2 Nb4 12.Qc3 c5 13.a3 Nc6 14.Nh4 dxe5 15.Bd5+ Kh8 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.e4 f4 18.Ndf3 Rb8 19.Rad1 Qe7 20.Rfe1 fxg3 21.hxg3 Re8 22.Qe3 Nf8 23.Rd3 Rb7 24.Rb1 Kg8 25.a4 Bf6 26.Rbd1 Bg4 27.R1d2 Reb8 28.a5 Bc8 29.Ba1 Bh3 30.Bb2 Bg4 31.Nh2 Bc8 32.N2f3 Bg4 33.Nh2 Bc8 34.a6 Rb6 35.Ba3 Ne6 36.Ng4 Bxh4 37.gxh4 Qxh4 38.Nxe5 Rxb3 39.Rxb3 Rxb3 40.Qxb3 Qg5+ 41.Kf1 Qxd2 42.Qb8 Qd1+ 43.Kg2 Nf4+ 44.Kg3 Ne2+ 45.Kf3 Qd8 46.Ke3 Nd4 ½–½
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WhiteEloWBlackEloBResYearECOEventRnd
Chiron 2510173013Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 21
Booot 6.23091Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017B05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 21
Stockfish 0511173228Andscacs 0.92131001–02017C05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 21
Houdini 6.023184Fire 6.23112½–½2017D09TCEC Season 10 - Stage 21
Komodo 1959.003232Fire 6.23112½–½2017E02TCEC Season 10 - Stage 22
Andscacs 0.9213100Houdini 6.023184½–½2017A75TCEC Season 10 - Stage 22
Ginkgo 2.013052Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017B76TCEC Season 10 - Stage 22
Chiron 2510173013Booot 6.23091½–½2017C78TCEC Season 10 - Stage 22
Booot 6.23091Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017D74TCEC Season 10 - Stage 23
Stockfish 0511173228Chiron 2510173013½–½2017E78TCEC Season 10 - Stage 23
Houdini 6.023184Ginkgo 2.0130521–02017A98TCEC Season 10 - Stage 23
Fire 6.23112Andscacs 0.92131001–02017B90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 23
Komodo 1959.003232Andscacs 0.92131001–02017C96TCEC Season 10 - Stage 24
Ginkgo 2.013052Fire 6.23112½–½2017D97TCEC Season 10 - Stage 24
Chiron 2510173013Houdini 6.0231840–12017E99TCEC Season 10 - Stage 24
Booot 6.23091Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017A44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 24
Stockfish 0511173228Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017B44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 25
Houdini 6.023184Booot 6.230911–02017C41TCEC Season 10 - Stage 25
Fire 6.23112Chiron 2510173013½–½2017D46TCEC Season 10 - Stage 25
Andscacs 0.9213100Ginkgo 2.0130520–12017E45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 25
Komodo 1959.003232Ginkgo 2.0130521–02017A06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 26
Chiron 2510173013Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 26
Booot 6.23091Fire 6.23112½–½2017C11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 26
Stockfish 0511173228Houdini 6.023184½–½2017D11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 26
Houdini 6.023184Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017E12TCEC Season 10 - Stage 27
Fire 6.23112Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017A70TCEC Season 10 - Stage 27
Andscacs 0.9213100Booot 6.23091½–½2017B66TCEC Season 10 - Stage 27
Ginkgo 2.013052Chiron 2510173013½–½2017C61TCEC Season 10 - Stage 27
Komodo 1959.003232Chiron 25101730131–02017A01TCEC Season 10 - Stage 28
Ginkgo 2.013052Booot 6.23091½–½2017B05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 28
Andscacs 0.9213100Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017C05TCEC Season 10 - Stage 28
Fire 6.23112Houdini 6.023184½–½2017D09TCEC Season 10 - Stage 28
Fire 6.23112Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017E02TCEC Season 10 - Stage 29
Houdini 6.023184Andscacs 0.92131001–02017A77TCEC Season 10 - Stage 29
Stockfish 0511173228Ginkgo 2.0130521–02017B76TCEC Season 10 - Stage 29
Booot 6.23091Chiron 2510173013½–½2017C87TCEC Season 10 - Stage 29
Komodo 1959.003232Booot 6.230911–02017D74TCEC Season 10 - Stage 210
Chiron 2510173013Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017E78TCEC Season 10 - Stage 210
Ginkgo 2.013052Houdini 6.023184½–½2017A97TCEC Season 10 - Stage 210
Andscacs 0.9213100Fire 6.23112½–½2017B90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 210
Andscacs 0.9213100Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017C97TCEC Season 10 - Stage 211
Fire 6.23112Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017D85TCEC Season 10 - Stage 211
Houdini 6.023184Chiron 25101730131–02017E99TCEC Season 10 - Stage 211
Stockfish 0511173228Booot 6.230911–02017A44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 211
Komodo 1959.003232Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017B44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 212
Booot 6.23091Houdini 6.023184½–½2017C41TCEC Season 10 - Stage 212
Chiron 2510173013Fire 6.23112½–½2017D46TCEC Season 10 - Stage 212
Ginkgo 2.013052Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017E44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 212
Ginkgo 2.013052Komodo 1959.0032320–12017A06TCEC Season 10 - Stage 213
Andscacs 0.9213100Chiron 2510173013½–½2017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 213
Fire 6.23112Booot 6.230911–02017C11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 213
Houdini 6.023184Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017D11TCEC Season 10 - Stage 213
Komodo 1959.003232Houdini 6.0231841–02017E12TCEC Season 10 - Stage 214
Stockfish 0511173228Fire 6.231121–02017A65TCEC Season 10 - Stage 214
Booot 6.23091Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017B66TCEC Season 10 - Stage 214
Chiron 2510173013Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017C61TCEC Season 10 - Stage 214
Chiron 2510173013Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017D63TCEC Season 10 - Stage 215
Booot 6.23091Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017E63TCEC Season 10 - Stage 215
Stockfish 0511173228Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017A30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 215
Houdini 6.023184Fire 6.231121–02017B08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 215
Komodo 1959.003232Fire 6.231121–02017C19TCEC Season 10 - Stage 216
Andscacs 0.9213100Houdini 6.023184½–½2017D27TCEC Season 10 - Stage 216
Ginkgo 2.013052Stockfish 05111732280–12017E22TCEC Season 10 - Stage 216
Chiron 2510173013Booot 6.23091½–½2017A90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 216
Booot 6.23091Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017B85TCEC Season 10 - Stage 217
Stockfish 0511173228Chiron 2510173013½–½2017C86TCEC Season 10 - Stage 217
Houdini 6.023184Ginkgo 2.0130521–02017D93TCEC Season 10 - Stage 217
Fire 6.23112Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017E81TCEC Season 10 - Stage 217
Komodo 1959.003232Andscacs 0.92131001–02017A54TCEC Season 10 - Stage 218
Ginkgo 2.013052Fire 6.23112½–½2017B51TCEC Season 10 - Stage 218
Chiron 2510173013Houdini 6.0231840–12017C50TCEC Season 10 - Stage 218
Booot 6.23091Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017D20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 218
Stockfish 0511173228Komodo 1959.0032321–02017E18TCEC Season 10 - Stage 219
Houdini 6.023184Booot 6.230911–02017A44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 219
Fire 6.23112Chiron 25101730131–02017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 219
Andscacs 0.9213100Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017C53TCEC Season 10 - Stage 219
Komodo 1959.003232Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017D86TCEC Season 10 - Stage 220
Chiron 2510173013Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017E68TCEC Season 10 - Stage 220
Booot 6.23091Fire 6.23112½–½2017A55TCEC Season 10 - Stage 220
Stockfish 0511173228Houdini 6.023184½–½2017B90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 220
Houdini 6.023184Komodo 1959.0032321–02017C87TCEC Season 10 - Stage 221
Fire 6.23112Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017D45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 221
Andscacs 0.9213100Booot 6.23091½–½2017A88TCEC Season 10 - Stage 221
Ginkgo 2.013052Chiron 2510173013½–½2017B12TCEC Season 10 - Stage 221
Komodo 1959.003232Chiron 25101730131–02017D63TCEC Season 10 - Stage 222
Ginkgo 2.013052Booot 6.23091½–½2017E63TCEC Season 10 - Stage 222
Andscacs 0.9213100Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017A30TCEC Season 10 - Stage 222
Fire 6.23112Houdini 6.023184½–½2017B08TCEC Season 10 - Stage 222
Fire 6.23112Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017C19TCEC Season 10 - Stage 223
Houdini 6.023184Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017D27TCEC Season 10 - Stage 223
Stockfish 0511173228Ginkgo 2.013052½–½2017E22TCEC Season 10 - Stage 223
Booot 6.23091Chiron 2510173013½–½2017A90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 223
Komodo 1959.003232Booot 6.230911–02017B85TCEC Season 10 - Stage 224
Chiron 2510173013Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017C86TCEC Season 10 - Stage 224
Ginkgo 2.013052Houdini 6.023184½–½2017D93TCEC Season 10 - Stage 224
Andscacs 0.9213100Fire 6.231120–12017E81TCEC Season 10 - Stage 224
Andscacs 0.9213100Komodo 1959.0032320–12017A54TCEC Season 10 - Stage 225
Fire 6.23112Ginkgo 2.0130521–02017B51TCEC Season 10 - Stage 225
Houdini 6.023184Chiron 2510173013½–½2017C54TCEC Season 10 - Stage 225
Stockfish 0511173228Booot 6.230911–02017D20TCEC Season 10 - Stage 225
Komodo 1959.003232Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017A13TCEC Season 10 - Stage 226
Booot 6.23091Houdini 6.023184½–½2017A44TCEC Season 10 - Stage 226
Chiron 2510173013Fire 6.23112½–½2017B10TCEC Season 10 - Stage 226
Ginkgo 2.013052Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017C53TCEC Season 10 - Stage 226
Ginkgo 2.013052Komodo 1959.003232½–½2017D86TCEC Season 10 - Stage 227
Andscacs 0.9213100Chiron 2510173013½–½2017E68TCEC Season 10 - Stage 227
Fire 6.23112Booot 6.230911–02017A55TCEC Season 10 - Stage 227
Houdini 6.023184Stockfish 0511173228½–½2017B90TCEC Season 10 - Stage 227
Komodo 1959.003232Houdini 6.023184½–½2017C92TCEC Season 10 - Stage 228
Stockfish 0511173228Fire 6.231121–02017D45TCEC Season 10 - Stage 228
Booot 6.23091Andscacs 0.9213100½–½2017A88TCEC Season 10 - Stage 228
Chiron 2510173013Ginkgo 2.0130521–02017B12TCEC Season 10 - Stage 228

Houdini 6 continues where its predecessor left off, and adds solid 60 Elo points to this formidable engine, once again making Houdini the strongest chess program currently available on the market.


Computer chess

Orion chess computer | Photo: Dezidor (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

"20 ply after 30 million years"

In 1980 computer chess was still in its early stages of development and experts estimated that a computer would need 30 million years to reach a search depth of 20 ply. Of course they were wrong.

In the last ten years computer chess has changed dramatically. More and more and stonger and stronger programs astonish chess fans, help to analyse games and change the way players train and prepare openings. Last week Fritz 16 was released, the latest version of the classic among the chess programs. In May and in October 2017 ChessBase released Komodo 11 and Houdini 6, two of the strongest commercial chess programs. Let's have a look at the most important developments in computer chess from 2007 to 2017:

2007: Zappa wins against Rybka

In their match in Mexico City 2007 Vice World Champion Zappa defeated World Champion Rybka 5½ : 4½ in a dramatic event full of exciting games while Vishy Anand won the FIDE World Championship tournament that was played parallel to the computer match in the same hotel.

But who would have the World Championship tournament if Zappa and Rybka had played in it? A pointless question — one might just as well speculate how the fastest 100-meters runners would fare against a Formula 1 racing car. And neither Zappa nor Rybka had played faultless chess. In fact, the match revealed a number of weaknesses of the programs and thus considerably contributed to their improvement, particularly in regard to Rybka. At the end of July 2008 a markedly improved version of Rybka (Rybka 3) was released and again clearly led the Elo-rankings.

2008 - 2010: Rybka on top again

While Rybka developer Vasik Rajlich made a successful new start with Rybka 3, Anthony Cozzie, the developer of Zappa, finished his new Zappa version ("Zappa Mexico II") but then quit programming chess computers at the end of January 2008 and did not take part in the Computer World Chess Championship 2008 in Beijing, where Rybka won with 8.0/9, ahead of Hiarcs 7.0/9 and Junior 6.0/9. Rybka also won in Pamplona 2009. He finished with 8.0/9, ahead of Deep Sjeng, Shredder and Junior, who all had 6½/9.

In Kanazawa 2010 Rybka won his fourth and last title, again with a score of 8.0/9. Shared second place went to Rondo and Thinker, who both finished with 6½/9. Stefan Meyer-Kahlen's Shredder finished fourth with 6.0/9, Johannes Zwanzger's Jonny became fifth with 5½/9. Interesting is that "Rondo", a version of Zappa, programmed by Zach Wegner, took part in the tournament. Anthony Cozzie had given Zappa's source code to Wegner but unfortunately the work on Zappa was not continued - at least, I did not find a version of Rondo for sale or download. The game between Rybka and Rondo ended in a draw. (a)

The surprising belated disqualification of Rybka and its consequences

To the surprise and dismay of many fans in 2011 the ICGA (International Computer Games Association) belatedly revoked Rybka from all its World Championship titles, because allegedly the source code of Crafty and Fruit had been used and thus the program would no longer meet the requirements of originality demanded by the ICGA. But here the opinions of the experts are divided. The probably best known computer expert who argued against the belated disqualification of Rybka is Dr. Sören Riis (b), and he is supported by the Rebel programmer Ed Schröder. But how did all this happen?


For years Rybka dominated the computer chess scene. For years, no other program was able to achieve a similar increase in playing strength. For chess analysis Rybka has long become one of the most important analysis tools of professions and amateurs alike. So that this state of affairs will continue in the future, the Rybka-team gathered around programmer Vasik Rajlich has developed a new version which is even better: “Rybka 4 plays more aggressively and more tactically”.


From Fruit to Rybka

Here we have to go back a couple of years, to 2005, to be precise, when the French programmer Fabien Letouzey published his program Fruit 2.1 as open source under the GPL (General Public License) (c) and finished second behind Zappa at the Computer World Chess Championship. The International Master Vasik Rajlich studied, as he freely admitted in an interview as early as December 2005, (d) the Fruit source code "forwards and backwards", and incorporated a lot of it into his own chess program Rybka.  (“I went through the Fruit 2.1 source code forwards and backwards and took many things.”) With remarkable results. In the computer chess magazine "Selected Search", from February/March 2011, the Canadian programmer Peter Skinner indicated that soon after the publication of Fruit's source code Rybka's playing strength increased dramatically: previously Rybka had a playing strength of about 1800 Elo but 16 months later Rybka's playing strength had increased by about 1200 ELO-points. (e)

It is also known that a lot of chess programmers follow the open source program Crafty (f) to implement some basic concepts such as e.g. the display of the board and the pieces instead of "reinventing the wheel" time and again. Judging this morally and legally is another question. At any rate, the Crafty code can hardly be hold responsible for the fact that Vasik Rajlich's program was playing so much stronger because the Crafty versions at that time were several hundred Elo-points weaker than Rybka. Some examples: Crafty 23.4 and Rybka 4, both released in 2010, were no less than 280 Elo-points behind Rybka in the CCRL rating-lists. Even the most recent Crafty version (Crafty 25.2 of 2016) still has about 120 Elo-points less than Rybka 4.

But neither was the enhanced Fruit version 2.3.1 from August 2007 as good as the Rybka version 2.2 which had been published about nine months earlier: 2887 ELO for Rybka 2.2 against 2785 ELO for Fruit 2.3.1, that is about 100 Elo-points more for Rybka. (To avoid comparing apples with oranges I used the 32-bit versions on 1 processor for the comparison because unlike Rybka 2.2. Fruit 2.3.1 does not run on multiple processors. With 64-bit and 4CPU Rybka 2.2 reaches 2978 Elo-points.)

Critics of the Rybka-disqualification also pointed out that the interview in which Vasik Rajlich admitted that he had taken a lot from Fruit had already been published when Rybka was allowed to play in the World Championships from 2006 to 2010. Consequently, the program should have been disqualified earlier and not years later. After Rybka's disqualification the programs that finished second in the World Championships were declared as winners, namely Zappa (2007), HIARCS (2008), Shredder, Deep Sjeng, Junior (2009) and Rondo and Thinker (2010).

Every computer chess friend is asked to decide for himself whether the disqualification was justified or not. But one thing is certain: Vasik Rajlich did groundbreaking work for computer chess by continuing the work of Fabien Letouzey, while optimsing it and enriching it with ideas of his own. This made Rybka not only faster but also better than its competitors, positionally and (particularly after version 3) tactically.

From Rybka to IPPOLIT

Ironically, in 2009 unknown programmers did with Rybka what V. Rajlich had done with Fruit, though they probably acquired Rybka's source by disassembling. These unknown programmers very carefully studied the structure of Rybka 3 and other programs such as Fruit, Strelka etc. carefully, and with all these ingredients they developed a new improved chess program which they published in 2009 under the name of "IPPOLIT" as open source.

Only a clone of Rybka 3?

Vasik Rajlich accused the programmers of having published a "clone" of Rybka 3 but a look at the lively discussions in the internet forums (g) reveals that a lot of people disagree with this claim. Why should the programmers take the trouble to produce a Rybka-clone and later strip it of its ability to run on multiprocessors and to take away the multi-PV-ability as well (after which only one variation can be displayed when analysing positions)? IPPOLIT testers also noted that the new program played the endgame significantly better than Rybka 3. Clarifying the issue was impossible because V. Rajlich did not disclose the source code of Rybka 3 or at least more than small parts of it.

A lot of "new" engines

The publication of the IPPOLIT source code suddenly gave all programmers insight into the structure of a chess programs with a playing strength of about 3100 Elo (measured by the CCRL standard 40/40).

Peter Skinner:

"The publication of this code did not only change the landscape of computer chess but also the hierarchy on which many rating systems are based. Cloning this code has occured so often that downloading and using these programs is not accepted by users but is also welcomed as a new evolution in computer chess." (e)

In fact, one can assume that many (if not most) modern chess programs profited from it. But how to judge all this legally or morally is not our topic here. But fact is that computer chess has made enormous progress since IPPOLIT 0.080a was available as open source.

Because IPPOLIT was boycotted by several computer ranking lists — due to the cloning accusations — the newer versions appeared under new names as "RobboLito", "Igorrit" and "IvanHoe". Step-by-step missing functions such as the ability to run on multiprocessors, Multi-PV etc. were implemented and with the so-called "Robbobases" the programmers also developed endgame tables of their own with up to six pieces.

Other leading chess programs such as Kranium and Sentinel tried to combine the best from the four IPPOLIT-variations. This led to "Firebird" and "Fire" (until version 3.0). On the "Chess Logik" site it is claimed that Robert Houdart based his early versions of Houdini on the source code of RobboLito. (h) José Maria Velasco openly admits that his top program "Bouquet" is based on IPPOLIT. The same is the case with "ippos" by Roberto Munter. Further developments of IvanHoe are amongst others "PanChess", "Deep Saros" and "Vitruvius". Igorrit developed into "Elektro", etc., etc. (i)

The concepts and ideas that had been published with the source code of the IPPOLIT programs were sometimes simply copied but often also improved and developed further. This led to another massive push in the development of computer chess.

Houdini — the new number 1

I can imagine that the officials of the ICGA misjudged the long-term consequences of their disqualification of Rybka (j). After all, what is a Computer Chess World Championship without the best program in the world? And since the disqualification of Rybka in 2011 the interest of the computer chess friends has more and more shifted to the TCEC tournament (k), which since then has been seen by many as the real Computer Chess World Championship. Here Rybka was still allowed to participate and other strong programs which were missing at the ICGA tournaments were also allowed to play.

The value of this event is further increased by the fact that all programs run on identical hardware and that after several qualifiers the two strongest programs face each other in a so-called "superfinal". Here, the two programs play the same opening positions twice, one time with White, the other time with Black. This obviously helps to level the field.


Houdini 6 continues where its predecessor left off, and adds solid 60 Elo points to this formidable engine, once again making Houdini the strongest chess program currently available on the market.


A brief history of TCEC

"Season 1", which was played from December 2011 to February 2011 was won by Houdini 1.5a after beating Rybka 4 in the final. As mentioned above, Robert Houdart, the Belgian developer of Houdini, is said to have based his program on the IPPOLIT version RobboLito (h). Even if this is true, he managed to improve this program and to make it faster. And in the endgame, where IPPOLIT is already very strong, additional knowledge was implemented, e.g. about fortress positions which a lot of the other programs still misevaluate. Until the release of version 5, Robert Houdart's homepage also mentioned that a lot of ideas and techniques were taken from the open source programs IPPOLIT and Stockfish. (l) This clearly shows the positive impact of open source programs on the development of playing strength in computer chess.

"Season 2" (February — April 2011) was again won by Houdini 1.5a, this time ahead of Rybka 4.1.

("Season 3" was not played to an end, and there was no TCEC winner in 2012.)

"Season 4" (January — May 2013) went to Houdini 3 after a win against Stockfish 250413 in the final.

Komodo and Stockfish number 1 and 2

"Season 5" was won by Komodo 1142 ahead of Stockfish 191113. With this victory the program that had been originally developed by Don Dailey and Larry Kaufman (at first it was called "Doch" but later was renamed "Komodo") broke into the world's absolute top. Unfortunately Don Dailey died at the age of 57, on November 22, 2013, shortly before Komodo won the tournament. In October 2013 he had brought Mark Lefler into the team who since then has further developed Komodo together with Larry Kaufman. (m)

"Season 6" (February - May 2014) was the first time Stockfish 1705114 could win, after beating Komodo 7 in the superfinal. Stockfish is based on the open source program Glaurung 2.1 of the Norwegian Tord Romstad. Apart from him Marco Costalba, Joona Kiiski, Gary Linscott and a lot of other programmers from various countries successfully work on the further development of the program. (n)

"Season 7" (September - December 2014) was won by Komodo 1333 ahead of Stockfish 141214.

"Season 8" (August to November 2015) was won by Komodo 9.3 ahead of Stockfish 021115.

"Season 9" (May to December 2016) ended in favour of Stockfish 8 who defeated Houdini 5 in a gripping superfinal of 100 games.

"Season 10" has been played since October 14, 2017. In the initial stage, 24 programs started.

Stage 2 in which the eight best programs played turned into an exciting battle between Houdini, Komodo and reigning champion Stockfish. In the end Houdini and Komodo won with 18½/28 each while Stockfish (18.0/28) narrowly missed the qualification for the superfinal. Behind Stockfish were Fire (15.0/28), Chiron (11½/28), Ginkgo (10½/28) and Andscacs and Boot (each with 10.0/28).

Thus Houdini and Komodo meet in the 100-game superfinal.

One sign of the tecnical progress is the fact that Houdini and Komodo will run on 44 processors whereas Zappa and Rybka in 2007 had to content themselves with "only" 8.


Fritz 16 is looking forward to playing with you, and you're certain to have a great deal of fun with him too. Tense games and even well-fought victories await you with "Easy play" and "Assisted analysis" modes.


An amusing prediction from 1980

In the book "Schach dem Computer" I found an interesting table about "Computational effort for analysing positions" (o). In the chapter "Wie ein Computer Schach spielen lernt" ("How a computer learns to play chess") author Frieder Schwenkel gives the following calculations for calculation depths of up to 20 ply:

With 0.5 seconds for one ply, 3 seconds for 2 and 20 seconds for 3 ply the start is rather harmless. For 5 ply he assumes 15 minutes, for 7 ply 10 hours but for 10 ply already the quarter of a year.

To calculate 15 ply deep 2500 years (!) are assumed and for 20 ply 30 million (!) years.

He sums up: "Even the fastest computers of the far-away future will have to capitulate at a depth of 20 to 25 ply."

Calculating 20 to 25 ply deep are easy for modern chess programs. It is amazing how fast 30 million years pass today!

An increase of more than 400 Elo in only ten years

In the Zappa-Rybka match in September 2007 the two strongest chess programs of that time played against each other. Ten years later Komodo, Stockfish and Houdini lead the ranking lists, programs that also succeed at the TCEC. In the revised CCRL-Elo-list (r) of September 9, 2017 (time limit: 40 moves in minutes) Komodo 11.2 (64-bit, 4CPU) was first with a rating of 3440 Elo-points. Second was Stockfish 8 (3423) and third was Houdini 5.01 (3411).

The last Zappa version (Zappa Mexico II) of January 2008 had 3017 Elo-points and was still on rank 26. On 4CPU (Quadcore = 4 processors) it is about 10 Elo-points stronger than the Zappa version that won 5½-4½ against Rybky in 2007.

Thus, the difference between Zappa Mexico from 2007 and Komodo 11.2 from 2017 is no less than 433 Elo-points. This shows that the top engines have dramatically increased their playing strength in the last 10 years!

More Elo = better for analysing games?

But I would like to correct this a bit because I do have the impression that some programmers want first of all to make a good impression in computer-vs-computer duels, and thus their programs have a somewhat limited way to search for the best move. These programs reach impressive search depths but occasionally miss brillant moves. One example is the following position from the game Jeroen Piket – Ilya Smirin (Interzonal Tournament Biel 1993), after move 30 by Black: 

 
Jeroen Piket vs. Ilia Smirin (Interzonenturnier Biel 1993), position after Black's 30th move.
White to move

Play out the moves on the live diagram!

Piket won with the queen sacrifice 31.Qxd7! Rxd7 32.Rxd7 Rd8 33.Re7 and the threats of Rc1-c7 and Nf3xe5 decide the game in White's favour. (The game ended after 33...Be2 34. Nxe5 Qa2 35. Rcc7 Rg8 36. Ne8 1-0.

On my Acer Aspire V5 (Dualcore with 1.6 GHz), Crafty 23.4 (released in November 2010) needed only 16 seconds to find 1.Qxd7! while the top program SugaR XPro 1.2 that has 550 more Elo-points (number 1 on the CCRL-Elo-list from October 2017), after more than 20 minutes still shows the clearly weaker move 1.Qa4.

SugaR is a "Stockfish", modified by Marco Zerbinati, and because it reached a higher rating than Stockfish 8 it represented the Stockfish family for some weeks on the CCRL “Pure List” 40/40. Meanwhile, this role has been taken by the program asmFish which is also derived from Stockfish.

Vasik Rajlich now develops Fritz for ChessBase

In 2015 Vasik Rajlich started to further develop Fritz. Fritz 15 was the first Fritz version developed by him. The program which was originally developed by Frans Morsch and Mathias Feist appeared first in 1991 and is one of the most successful chess programs of all times. I particularly remember the blitz tournament in the "German Museum" in Munich in 1994 in which Fritz 3 started in high class field and finally shared first place with World Champion Kasparov against which it then lost in the tie-break match.

In 1995 Fritz became Computer World Champion in Hong Kong. Matches against GM Robert Hübner (2001), World Champion Vladimir Kramnik (2002) and former World Champion Garry Kasparov (2003) were all drawn. In 2006 the multiprocessor version Deep Fritz played a 6-game match against World Champion Vladimir Kramnik in Bonn and won 4:2. The last versions developed by Frans Morsch (Fritz 13 and Deep Fritz 13) appeared 2011 and 2012. Gyula Horvath was responsible for Fritz 14. It will be interesting to see how the new version Fritz 16 will fare.

In the interview from December 2005 Vasik Rajlich said: "The main goal with Rybka is to provide a useful analysis tool for our customers." The definitely succeeded here with Rybka and with Fritz.

Fritz 16 is available in the ChessBase shop as are top engines such as Houdini, Komodo and Rybka. The interface allows to add and to comfortably use free UCI programs such as e.g. Stockfish 8 or Bouquet 1.8.

Sources and notes:

Translation from German: Johannes Fischer

Links

  • TCEC stands for "Thoresen Chess Engines Competition" or, recently, for  "Top Chess Engine Championship" (Wikipedia)
  • Official site
  • The TCEC "archive" provides an overview of previous TCEC tournaments and allows you to download the games

Stephan is a passionate collector of chess books and for years he has been successfully playing as an amateur for his German club. The former musician and comedian works as a freelance journalist and author in Berlin and in the Franconian village Hiltpoltstein.

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