TCEC Season 3 is Underway

For fans of computer-computer matches, the third season of Martin Thoresen's TCEC (Thoresen Chess Engines Competition) is underway. Information on how this season's competition is arranged is here, while the live broadcast (and a list of the participating computers, their ratings and their scores) is here.

Comments

[MikeO]

I know it's a computer, but Houdini plays beautiful Chess. I seriously enjoy watching its games.

[crf]

There have been a couple of really cool games. The strongest programs seem to play with what we'd call the riskiest tactics, which is interesting, since I think it satisfies our human biases about what chess should be.

Rybka's queen "sac" against houdini was pretty nice (game 3.2 in stage 1). It didn't work out for Rybka in the end, but it was a wonderful try.

The game junior v zappa (game 3.6 in stage 1) was very funny dance.

Maybe the computers are not playing the middle games perfectly (but we humans would have a hard time telling), but even poor players like me can see mistaken end-game plans in several games (no refs, just look for yourself).