What do you think of Critter 1.6a

Has he some strong points?

The forty-game Elite Match between Houdini and Rybka has just concluded.  Once again, Houdini was the victor, this time by four points.  Early in the match, Rybka was actually up by three games, but Houdini was able to close the gap and finally go ahead.

For a complete replay of all the games (and their associated pgn files) go here.

Same bet as last time? I'll take the fish.

If you win, you write for our blog at triple (!!!) your chess.com rate.

If I win, you write for our blog at just your chess.com rate.

- EJ

Division A ended in a tie between Rybka and Houdini.

They will now face each other in the Elite Match, a head-to-head contest that begins on April 12.  Winner of this match will determine the overall champion for season 2.

qixel wrote:
lol.  Chess.com doesn't pay me anything.  So I'm cheap at twice the price.

Double of nothing?! You drive a hard, but fair, bargain! I agree to your terms!!!

And I would never dare to call you cheap!

- EJ

Seriously, what does Chess.com pay you for your wonderful articles? I'd consider doubling it to get you to write for me.

- EJ

So then does that mean we could see some off beat openings like a kings gambit or some other type of opening not seen at the GM level (like 1. b4?)

hawkeye03 wrote:

Seems our silicone friends honor our Spanish preist with their opening choice!

Just as a note...The engines don't actually select the openings.  To inject variety, the openings are selected randomly from a list.  When the same engines face each other again with colors reversed, they will use the same opening that they used in their first game.

so much for the thought that GM chess was making 1.d4 the way ahead for chess.  Seems our silicone friends honor our Spanish preist with their opening choice!

In their first meeting of the Division A tournament, Rybka and Houdini fought to a draw.  Here's the game.

Thanks Amy!  This is awesome!