AlphaZero: Shedding new light on the grand games of chess, shogi and Go
Here is the link :
https://deepmind.com/blog/alphazero-shedding-new-light-grand-games-chess-shogi-and-go/
Showing posts with label _Chess_Machines. Show all posts
Showing posts with label _Chess_Machines. Show all posts
Saturday, December 08, 2018
Friday, July 27, 2018
Chess software
If you are interested in chess software, that is computer programs running in your computer and solving chess problems or presenting databases of chess compositions, then this page of WFCC (World Federation for Chess Compositions) will be useful for you:
https://www.wfcc.ch/software/
As you will observe, some "chess machines" (ie Alybadix), after a successful presence during many years, are "replaced" by newer software.
Some software products are free (ie Fancy for entering definitions and Popeye for solving the composition), while others must be bought (ie WinChloe, which is a solving program, it can create problem databases for the user, and contains a large database with hundreds of thousands problems with solutions and themes).
https://www.wfcc.ch/software/
As you will observe, some "chess machines" (ie Alybadix), after a successful presence during many years, are "replaced" by newer software.
Some software products are free (ie Fancy for entering definitions and Popeye for solving the composition), while others must be bought (ie WinChloe, which is a solving program, it can create problem databases for the user, and contains a large database with hundreds of thousands problems with solutions and themes).
Thursday, August 27, 2015
New version for Popeye software
You know that there are many software tools for chess problems.
You may find information here http://www.wfcc.ch/software/
For example:
In order to create position images and a file for your problems, there is Fancy.
It is copyrighted (C) by Marek Kwiatkowski.
I have version 2.81, you may look for a newer edition.
In order to solve problems, Fancy can use the software tool Popeye.
Mr Thomas Maeder is looking after it.
He has recently announced the version 4.73 : github.com/thomas-maeder/popeye/releases/tag/v4.73
You may find information here http://www.wfcc.ch/software/
For example:
In order to create position images and a file for your problems, there is Fancy.
It is copyrighted (C) by Marek Kwiatkowski.
I have version 2.81, you may look for a newer edition.
In order to solve problems, Fancy can use the software tool Popeye.
Mr Thomas Maeder is looking after it.
He has recently announced the version 4.73 : github.com/thomas-maeder/popeye/releases/tag/v4.73
Saturday, November 08, 2014
Problem-composing machines
Some years ago "The Aesthetic Beauty of chess compositions" was measured by computer, using Chesthetica software by Dr. Azlan Iqbal.
In a recent article Dr. Azlan Iqbal presents a series of three-movers composed by computer, using DSNS (digital synaptic neural substrate).
In a recent post from WCCC in Bern, I said about Mr T. Linß, who presented to the composers of the Congress the past and future of computer software creating compositions. (At present, the demands of storage space limit this software to 6-pieces helpmates and 7-pieces selfmates).
Is there a foreseeable end in human creativity? Let us hope not in this century!
In a recent article Dr. Azlan Iqbal presents a series of three-movers composed by computer, using DSNS (digital synaptic neural substrate).
In a recent post from WCCC in Bern, I said about Mr T. Linß, who presented to the composers of the Congress the past and future of computer software creating compositions. (At present, the demands of storage space limit this software to 6-pieces helpmates and 7-pieces selfmates).
Is there a foreseeable end in human creativity? Let us hope not in this century!
Saturday, November 23, 2013
SmartPhone App for Chess Composers!
Diyan Kostadinov - Project manager
The first app for chess composing on smartphone is here!
http://kobulchess.com/en/news/
Well done!
The first app for chess composing on smartphone is here!
http://kobulchess.com/en/news/
Well done!
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Michel Caillaud, Composing in computer times
A presentation by the great French composer Michel Caillaud, (August 01, 2013, Marianka, Slovakia).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh3wXcrlWB4
When there is good disposition and interesting subject, the language problems are set aside.
Here the French (who is wearing the t-shirt of the Italian problemists) speaks English and there is translation to Slovakian.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bh3wXcrlWB4
When there is good disposition and interesting subject, the language problems are set aside.
Here the French (who is wearing the t-shirt of the Italian problemists) speaks English and there is translation to Slovakian.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Program Popeye
The program Popeye solves chess problems. It was created by Philippe Schnoebelen in Pascal language and operating system MS-DOS in 1983. Later it was transcripted in C language and was maintained and improved by many programmers, (as Elmar Bartel, Norbert Geissler, Thomas Maeder, Torsten Linss, Stefan Hoening, Stefan Brunzen, Harald Denker, Thomas Bark and Stephen Emmerson).
The program Popeye has got many interfaces in order to be used in other operating systems. I use it through program Fancy (by Marek Kwiatkowski). I open Fancy, place easily the pieces on the chessboard, specigy the kind of problem and the valid conditions and the twin positions, and then Popeye is called. Popeye shows a page with the data from Fancy (I can edit this page) and proceeds to the solution. The solution is written on a text file, which can also be edited.
Some notes here :
(1) The program Fancy (in edition 2.9), besides Popeye 4.51, can call other solving programs, as is Stockfish 1.6.3 JA (for solving studies). The creator of Fancy has declared that edition 2.9 is the last one, so we do not expect any improvements.
(2) The program Popeye accepts many commands (see http://www.strategems.org/beginners/software/Popeye/Popeye.htm). It has happened in composing competitions (as in the World Conference in Crete 2010 with the condition CapZug, see here), to be given instructions for modification of commands, so the program can cope with the new kind of chess compositions.
(3) A way of using Popeye is presented by the new composer Julia Vysotska analytically here.
(4) The software programs Popeye and Fancy can be downloaded from the internet free of charge.
The program Popeye has got many interfaces in order to be used in other operating systems. I use it through program Fancy (by Marek Kwiatkowski). I open Fancy, place easily the pieces on the chessboard, specigy the kind of problem and the valid conditions and the twin positions, and then Popeye is called. Popeye shows a page with the data from Fancy (I can edit this page) and proceeds to the solution. The solution is written on a text file, which can also be edited.
Some notes here :
(1) The program Fancy (in edition 2.9), besides Popeye 4.51, can call other solving programs, as is Stockfish 1.6.3 JA (for solving studies). The creator of Fancy has declared that edition 2.9 is the last one, so we do not expect any improvements.
(2) The program Popeye accepts many commands (see http://www.strategems.org/beginners/software/Popeye/Popeye.htm). It has happened in composing competitions (as in the World Conference in Crete 2010 with the condition CapZug, see here), to be given instructions for modification of commands, so the program can cope with the new kind of chess compositions.
(3) A way of using Popeye is presented by the new composer Julia Vysotska analytically here.
(4) The software programs Popeye and Fancy can be downloaded from the internet free of charge.
Friday, April 13, 2012
Program Alybadix
The over-the-board players have specialized software programs for their training and the storing of their games. I have purchased, years ago, the program Fritz 11 (by ChessBase) and it is very good for me, beyond any expectation. (I use it mainly for checking studies, to avoid wrong placing of the pieces).
There are internet services for players in real time and also internet databases with millions of games and searching abilities (by player, by tourney, by opening etc.).
In the realm of chess composition, the creation of a good software application meets obstacles...
(1) The pieces are not six, but over a thousand (in fairy chess) and new pieces are invented continuously.
(2) The chessboards may have another shape (for example, cylindrical).
(3) The aim of the game may change as well as the rivalry. Examples [Black plays 18 moves and then White checkmates], [White forces Black to give mate in n moves], [Black helps White to mate in n moves].
(4) The conditions of gaming may be different (Madrasi with paralysing pieces, Circe with reborn pieces, KoBul kings changing way of moving and capturing).
(5) The flow of the game may be different. Examples : [Find the 25 moves needed to reach this position], [White takes back eight moves and then mates in three].
... and many other things ... you understand the difficulties.
One of the first programs was Alybadix, made by Ilkka Blom (address : Ilkka Blom, Salmikatu 27 A 16, FI-65200 Vaasa, FINLAND, e-mail : iblom@saunalahti.fi) and he is still looking after it, (see http://alybadix.wippiespace.com/).
The program solves problems of many categories (selfmates, multimovers, etc) very fast. (Still, if the number of moves is large, the time needed for a solution climbs up).
The program is not expensive and the opinions about it very favorable.
In its page you will find Demo edition (and many goodies) and a collection (by Eduardo Sadier) of 123006 #2 problems in text-form readable by Alybadix. You will download free APwin v2012 (by Paul H. Wiereyn) to execute Alybadix in Windows environment.
In order to have an idea of the Alybadix speed, note that it can solve all the problems of the Sadier collection in less than 30 minutes!
There are internet services for players in real time and also internet databases with millions of games and searching abilities (by player, by tourney, by opening etc.).
In the realm of chess composition, the creation of a good software application meets obstacles...
(1) The pieces are not six, but over a thousand (in fairy chess) and new pieces are invented continuously.
(2) The chessboards may have another shape (for example, cylindrical).
(3) The aim of the game may change as well as the rivalry. Examples [Black plays 18 moves and then White checkmates], [White forces Black to give mate in n moves], [Black helps White to mate in n moves].
(4) The conditions of gaming may be different (Madrasi with paralysing pieces, Circe with reborn pieces, KoBul kings changing way of moving and capturing).
(5) The flow of the game may be different. Examples : [Find the 25 moves needed to reach this position], [White takes back eight moves and then mates in three].
... and many other things ... you understand the difficulties.
One of the first programs was Alybadix, made by Ilkka Blom (address : Ilkka Blom, Salmikatu 27 A 16, FI-65200 Vaasa, FINLAND, e-mail : iblom@saunalahti.fi) and he is still looking after it, (see http://alybadix.wippiespace.com/).
The program solves problems of many categories (selfmates, multimovers, etc) very fast. (Still, if the number of moves is large, the time needed for a solution climbs up).
The program is not expensive and the opinions about it very favorable.
In its page you will find Demo edition (and many goodies) and a collection (by Eduardo Sadier) of 123006 #2 problems in text-form readable by Alybadix. You will download free APwin v2012 (by Paul H. Wiereyn) to execute Alybadix in Windows environment.
In order to have an idea of the Alybadix speed, note that it can solve all the problems of the Sadier collection in less than 30 minutes!
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Chess and machines
I noticed a post about [Computer Chess Algorithms] which contains a chronological list of evolutionary steps of the chess-playing-machines.
Apart from the historical content, a judgement of the facts by the blogger reaches the conclusion that [If you play in deep positional style, the computer might not be able to evaluate well the position] and you might win.
Interesting!
Apart from the historical content, a judgement of the facts by the blogger reaches the conclusion that [If you play in deep positional style, the computer might not be able to evaluate well the position] and you might win.
Interesting!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
How does a machine think?
http://turbulence.org/project/thinking-machine-4/
To be honest, I do not want to know.
I like the way I think (steepest descend method – and all the rest).
But there is a chess playing machine which lets you see, in an artistically interesting manner, the moves as they are calculated.
Click here to go to the thinking machine, (newer version 6).
Start to play a game, in order to see the graphics, and continue playing, hoping that you will win (which is not sure...).
(Image copyright © Thinking Machine 4, Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / ADAGP, Paris)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Vassilios D. Lyris
Vassilios D. Lyris was one of the best composers of chess problems in his time. He was born in 1914 and he died at 15/08/1994 (same year that Triantafyllos Siaperas and Demetrius Kapralos have left us too).
About Vassilios Lyris his friend Nikos Dambassis writes :
"Vassilios Lyris made his first appearance as a composer of chess problems with the publication of a problem (see next Problem-375) in the newspaper [Proia (=morning)] in 1938, in a special column about chess problems, written by J. Hatziargyris. Vassilios Lyris was the second, after J. Hatziargyris, Greek composer of chess problems appearing in the 20th century.
He first learned the art of chess composition in 1934, when he became subscriber of the German chess magazine [Deutsche Schachblatter]. When the first Greek chess magazine [To Skaki (=the chess)] was issued in 1943, he was one of the four members of the editing committee of the magazine together with Ioannis Koutalidis, Myron Konter and Nikos Dambassis. Since then Lyris continued composing chess problems, limited only by his work load (he was Civil engineer) and his failing health.
Vassilios Lyris has left for the future composers, as mental inheritance, 150 published compositions, mainly multimover problems, in Greek and foreign magazines. He has received many distinctions and has written articles about chess compositions in various magazines, as in [To Mat (=the checkmate)] (1956) and [Probleemblad] (1970). He was member of the Greek national team in the World Championships in Chess Composition."
The Olympiad winner composer Stavros Iatridis writing in his column [Artistic Chess – The chess problems] in the magazine [O Skakistis (=the chessplayer)] (No.4, April 1967) recites verbatim what Vassilios Lyris has written in the magazine [To Mat] (No.51, March 1956) about the basis of problem evaluation :
The Five Basic Elements for Chess Problem Evaluation
1. Acceptability :
A composition is acceptable : (a) If it is original (it is not allowed to be repetition of a previous composition). (b) If it is correct (that is all the expressed by the composer elements must be correct and in accordance with the rules of Chess Composition).
2. Economy of material :
The natural law of making a work by the least effort gives the meaning of economy, which is “inviolable principle” for the composition. The economy is not limited in achieving the desired goal with minimum material force, but is extended in maximum usage of each piece.
3. Esthetics :
This refers to the beauty of the idea and to the way of expression of the “mechanism” (in which must be a “logic” and also a continuity), and even to the various combinations with their complexity and their richness.
4. Quality of the key :
The first move – Key must initially justify the term “problem”, that is it must be as difficult as possible. The difficulty and the beauty of the key are valuable elements of the problem.
5. Exploitation of the Chessboard space :
For every problem a unique placement of the pieces exists, by which the ideal presentation of the desired goal is achieved. The criterion here is the “spaciousness” of the position and the “mobility” and flexibility of the pieces.
In this blog we have presented two problems of V. Lyris (see Problem-12 and Problem-319). He has published many problems in cooperation with Nikos Siotis or with Nikos Dambassis.
Panagis Sklavounos (who has provided material for this post) notes : "Vassilios Lyris continued to publish his compositions even in advanced age. This shows that the occupation of problem composition is independent of age. It depends only on the free time of the composer and his availability."
We publish here four problems by Lyris, selected by Nikos Dambassis.
This is the first published problem of V. Lyris.
Ties : [1.Rh8?/Rg8?/Rf8?/Be7?/c8=Q?/c8=S?/c8=B?/e7?/Kxg2?/Be4?/Bc2? c3!]
Key : 1.c8=R! (zz) c3
2.Rc7 (zz) c2
3.Rxc2 ( > 4.Rxg2#) Kf5
4.Rc5#
Indian theme on row and file.
There exist some set mates : [1...Rd4 2.Qxb1#], [1...Ba2/Bb3/Be6 2.Sc3#], [1...Sb7/Se6 2.Q(x)b7#].
Tries : [1.Rb6+? Axb6!], [1.Rxe5+? Kb4!], [1.Qb7+? Sxb7!], [1.Qxc4+? Kxc4!].
Key : 1.exd8=S! ( > 2.Qb7# )
1...Kb4 2.Rb6#
1...Rd3-~3 2.Rd5#
1...Rxd6/Rd4 2.Qxb1#
1...Rd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#
1...Bc4-~ 2.Sc3#
1...Bd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#
Lyris was awarded with a prize using theme Martin in 1949 and many years later, in 1985, he received 3rd prize in a composition of the German magazine 'Die Schwalbe' perfecting the same evergreen theme.
Tries : [1.Sb5? Ke4!], [1.Re5+? Fxe5!], [1.Bd3? Fxe2!], [1.Bb5? Fxg2!], [1.Rb3+? Axb3!], [1.Qxe1? Rxd4+!].
Key : 1.Ba6! ( > 2.Rc5 and 3.Rc3# )
1...fxe2 2.Rb4-b5 (zz) Kd3 3.Rb3#
1...fxg2 2.Rd5-b5 (zz) Kxe2 3.Re5#
Indian theme in two relative variations.
Key : 1.b3! Ra4-a7 2.Qa6 Rxf4 3.Qxe2 Rf4-a4 4.Kxf3 Rf7#
Exchange of positions of the two white Rooks. The white Rook annihilates a black Pawn and the black Queen annihilates a white Pawn, in order to create the final picture of mate.
More problems are contained in the Internet bases of problems
[http://dt.dewia.com/yacpdb/?rcpp=50&rcp=1#SearchHelp] (you write [Lyris] and click on [SEARCH]) and
[http://www.softdecc.com/pdb/index.pdb] (you write [a='Lyris'] and click on [Search]) and
[http://www.bstephen.me.uk/NonX5/problemsv1.html] (in the field Composer you write [Lyris] and click on [Submit]).
About Vassilios Lyris his friend Nikos Dambassis writes :
"Vassilios Lyris made his first appearance as a composer of chess problems with the publication of a problem (see next Problem-375) in the newspaper [Proia (=morning)] in 1938, in a special column about chess problems, written by J. Hatziargyris. Vassilios Lyris was the second, after J. Hatziargyris, Greek composer of chess problems appearing in the 20th century.
He first learned the art of chess composition in 1934, when he became subscriber of the German chess magazine [Deutsche Schachblatter]. When the first Greek chess magazine [To Skaki (=the chess)] was issued in 1943, he was one of the four members of the editing committee of the magazine together with Ioannis Koutalidis, Myron Konter and Nikos Dambassis. Since then Lyris continued composing chess problems, limited only by his work load (he was Civil engineer) and his failing health.
Vassilios Lyris has left for the future composers, as mental inheritance, 150 published compositions, mainly multimover problems, in Greek and foreign magazines. He has received many distinctions and has written articles about chess compositions in various magazines, as in [To Mat (=the checkmate)] (1956) and [Probleemblad] (1970). He was member of the Greek national team in the World Championships in Chess Composition."
The Olympiad winner composer Stavros Iatridis writing in his column [Artistic Chess – The chess problems] in the magazine [O Skakistis (=the chessplayer)] (No.4, April 1967) recites verbatim what Vassilios Lyris has written in the magazine [To Mat] (No.51, March 1956) about the basis of problem evaluation :
The Five Basic Elements for Chess Problem Evaluation
1. Acceptability :
A composition is acceptable : (a) If it is original (it is not allowed to be repetition of a previous composition). (b) If it is correct (that is all the expressed by the composer elements must be correct and in accordance with the rules of Chess Composition).
2. Economy of material :
The natural law of making a work by the least effort gives the meaning of economy, which is “inviolable principle” for the composition. The economy is not limited in achieving the desired goal with minimum material force, but is extended in maximum usage of each piece.
3. Esthetics :
This refers to the beauty of the idea and to the way of expression of the “mechanism” (in which must be a “logic” and also a continuity), and even to the various combinations with their complexity and their richness.
4. Quality of the key :
The first move – Key must initially justify the term “problem”, that is it must be as difficult as possible. The difficulty and the beauty of the key are valuable elements of the problem.
5. Exploitation of the Chessboard space :
For every problem a unique placement of the pieces exists, by which the ideal presentation of the desired goal is achieved. The criterion here is the “spaciousness” of the position and the “mobility” and flexibility of the pieces.
In this blog we have presented two problems of V. Lyris (see Problem-12 and Problem-319). He has published many problems in cooperation with Nikos Siotis or with Nikos Dambassis.
Panagis Sklavounos (who has provided material for this post) notes : "Vassilios Lyris continued to publish his compositions even in advanced age. This shows that the occupation of problem composition is independent of age. It depends only on the free time of the composer and his availability."
We publish here four problems by Lyris, selected by Nikos Dambassis.
 | (Problem 375) Lyris, Vassilios D. newspaper 'Proia', 1938, Mate in 4 moves. #4 (12 + 11) |
| [3BR3/1pPP2p1/1p1PPsPb/1p4kr/1Pp4p/4P2P/6p1/1B4K1] | |
This is the first published problem of V. Lyris.
Ties : [1.Rh8?/Rg8?/Rf8?/Be7?/c8=Q?/c8=S?/c8=B?/e7?/Kxg2?/Be4?/Bc2? c3!]
Key : 1.c8=R! (zz) c3
2.Rc7 (zz) c2
3.Rxc2 ( > 4.Rxg2#) Kf5
4.Rc5#
Indian theme on row and file.
 | (Problem 376) Lyris, Vassilios D. Prize, Thematic Tourney 'Martin', 1949, Mate in 2 moves. #2 (9 + 13) |
| [3s1B2/p2SPp1K/p2R4/rk2b2R/p1b1Q3/p2r4/3p4/1q1S1B2] | |
There exist some set mates : [1...Rd4 2.Qxb1#], [1...Ba2/Bb3/Be6 2.Sc3#], [1...Sb7/Se6 2.Q(x)b7#].
Tries : [1.Rb6+? Axb6!], [1.Rxe5+? Kb4!], [1.Qb7+? Sxb7!], [1.Qxc4+? Kxc4!].
Key : 1.exd8=S! ( > 2.Qb7# )
1...Kb4 2.Rb6#
1...Rd3-~3 2.Rd5#
1...Rxd6/Rd4 2.Qxb1#
1...Rd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#
1...Bc4-~ 2.Sc3#
1...Bd5 (black correction) 2.Rxd5#
| Theme Martin I : Two black pieces are half-pinned. Each piece attempts corrective defense. The primary and secondary mates are relevant with the other half-pinned piece which is now pinned. |
| Theme Martin II : The corrective defenses are exploiting the unpin of a third black piece. |
Lyris was awarded with a prize using theme Martin in 1949 and many years later, in 1985, he received 3rd prize in a composition of the German magazine 'Die Schwalbe' perfecting the same evergreen theme.
 | (Problem 377) Lyris, Vassilios D. First Prize, Hlas L`udu, 1969, Mate in 3 moves. #3 (14 + 9) |
| [8/8/1P1S1p2/3R1P2/pRBP2Kp/P3kp1P/2prPrP1/2Q1b1B1] | |
Tries : [1.Sb5? Ke4!], [1.Re5+? Fxe5!], [1.Bd3? Fxe2!], [1.Bb5? Fxg2!], [1.Rb3+? Axb3!], [1.Qxe1? Rxd4+!].
Key : 1.Ba6! ( > 2.Rc5 and 3.Rc3# )
1...fxe2 2.Rb4-b5 (zz) Kd3 3.Rb3#
1...fxg2 2.Rd5-b5 (zz) Kxe2 3.Re5#
Indian theme in two relative variations.
 | (Problem 378) Lyris, Vassilios D. First Prize, Probleemblad, 05/1974, Helpmate in 4 moves. h#4 (9 + 14) |
| [K4b2/5R2/8/6p1/Rp3pPp/q1p1pP2/rpPpPk1P/1s1s1B2] | |
Key : 1.b3! Ra4-a7 2.Qa6 Rxf4 3.Qxe2 Rf4-a4 4.Kxf3 Rf7#
Exchange of positions of the two white Rooks. The white Rook annihilates a black Pawn and the black Queen annihilates a white Pawn, in order to create the final picture of mate.
More problems are contained in the Internet bases of problems
[http://dt.dewia.com/yacpdb/?rcpp=50&rcp=1#SearchHelp] (you write [Lyris] and click on [SEARCH]) and
[http://www.softdecc.com/pdb/index.pdb] (you write [a='Lyris'] and click on [Search]) and
[http://www.bstephen.me.uk/NonX5/problemsv1.html] (in the field Composer you write [Lyris] and click on [Submit]).
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