Critter is a cross-platform UCI chess engine by Slovakian programmer Richard Vida which is free for non-commercial use. The engine has achieved top five on most official chess engine Elo rating lists.[1][2][3][4]

Critter
Developer(s)Richard Vida
Stable release
1.6a 64-bit / June 2012
Written inC++
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android
TypeChess engine
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.vlasak.biz/critter/

History

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Richard Vida started working on Critter in late 2008. The first version was originally written in Object Pascal but the code was later converted to C++ using Bitboard technology because Delphi did not perform well under 64-bit processors.[5][6] Critter had its over-the-board (OTB) debut at the ICT 2012, where it became a strong runner-up behind the Rybka cluster.[7]

Notable games

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Tornado vs Critter,
nTCEC S2, Stage 2, 3.6
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8
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
8
77
66
55
44
33
22
11
abcdefgh
Here Critter played 16...Ng4, sacrificing a rook for a strong attack.

References

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  1. ^ "CCRL 40/40 Rating List — All engines (best versions only)". computerchess.org.uk. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  2. ^ "IPON Rating List". inwoba.de. Archived from the original on June 12, 2011. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  3. ^ "SWCR chess engine ratings list". amateurschach.de. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  4. ^ "CEGT Best Versions". husvankempen.de. Archived from the original on December 24, 2007. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  5. ^ "Critter Sourceforge Page". Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  6. ^ "Critter official website". Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  7. ^ "ICT12". Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  8. ^ a b "Interesting Games from Season 2". Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.