update Chess Gambiteer (open source)

 today uploaded an update of my (gambit) opening training package
at  Sourceforge:

Chess Gambiteer open source application(s)

There are various options available in this package,
1) play against a  engine -with gambit book- at (relatively low) club level, or
2) observe games at higher level (between gambit book
and ordinary book, with two different engines; often yielding
quite interesting and instructive -unbalanced- games).

See the various readme.txt files for more info.

Bookbuilder open source

Announced the open source 'package' (lots of files !) again.
after i added some more instructions (in sources directory
and updated the readme.txt. Announced on talkchess.com (programmers forum).

Some history, the functionality of the program speaks for itself,
decades ago the idea was to use the program not only to study
opening theory, but to improve opening theory itself.

NB not offering support (but you always can try to 'bribe' me
of course if you really get stuck :-)
(no guarantees, however)

PS all this work  resulted in my awesome (paper) chess -openingstudy- book (on lulu) :
https://www.lulu.com/shop/jef-kaan/better-chess-openings/paperback/product-1mw8r8qz.html
with five stars on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Better-Chess-Openings-Jef-Kaan/dp/1326180770/

Meanwhile i used my knowledge to play correspondence chess for some years
on ICCF and acquired a CCM (master) title.

While we are approaching the draw limit in computer chess, i've 
stopped with correspondence chess, at least as long as the (endgame
and 3 pos draw) rule haven't been modified to reduce the draw rate at high levels.

Yet based on the more modern Nnue engines of last year, i'm intending to update
my (paper) book (on Lulu/Amazon) or possibly even write a new edition.

Small update in Bookbuilder book

 In the latest download (bookbuilder setup file), there's now
a slight update of the book.pbs file (more than one million positions)

Best move now is 1.e4 in line with experiences in correspondence chess.
With best play, chess is a draw. but humans still may enjoy the g
game; and become a bit more modest in the process. 

The updated book may be useful for otb players, who like
to check/update their repertoire. But it's not perfect, of  course.

In correspondence chess you may of course look at 
bigger databases/ opening books.

Nevertheless, have fun

:)

Bookbuilder (free) download

The opening study and training program Bookuilder
(latest commercial version was 4.3b) now becomes
opensource. The setup file now can be downloaded at 

Bookbuilder download page 

Formerly a trial version for a week, the serial codes
for registration now are given as 'donation-ware'

Method for registration: go to help entry on menu 

username: customer@2013

serial code(s) FA95  997

Latest, medium size book was made by analyzing 
endmodes with SFNNue (!) and backsolving /full minimax
of the book with the older version bb36 (also included).

Enjoy

A donation a foundation in Moldova will be appreciated

See info in the readme.txt

PS sourcecodes of the program will be uploaded soon
(in the directory sources of this project on sourceforge.net)

Updated Chess-Gambiteer program

Now uploaded as open source project to Sourceforge

Chess-gambiteer on Sourceforge

It's a training program for weaker to average club players
to play against gambit opening lines (with a rather weak engine0

See the further description on Sourceforge.

SImply download the zip file, unzip, and start with the startdjeng.bat

Have fun !

2019

New layout again (January 2019)

some other news: (old) site www.bookbuilder.nl discontinued
(looking for other server).

Meanwhile my program Bookbuilder about chess openings
can still be registered at:
Bookbuilder info 

Download link coming in next post !

Meanwhile found some updates in my French repertoire
(for Black), English (for White), and (Semi)Slav (for White).
To be posted later on this blog...

Also planning an update (soon) for my book
about chess openings (find at):
Learning the chess openings (book at Amazon)

Some news: changed layout of this blog,  more modern look;
achieved a C(orrespondence)C(hess)M(aster) norm on ICCF:

new results with updated (Shredder) engine

Now that Deep Shredder 13 came out, somewhere mid/end 2016,
my computer results on the Free Internet Chess Server
(FICS, www.freechess.org) improved again (with an engine, i'm
only allowed to use Shredder on Fics, not Komodo or Stockfish).

With still some other engines ranking higher, i came into to the
top 5 rankings on Fics for blitz, standard, *and* bullet. My opening
book -still used ony with the CP interface) now is about 32 Mb; my
favorite first move for the computer now again is 1.d4, but
sometimes i also play 1.Nf3 (often similar),
1.c4 (sometimes similar), or 1.e4.

Below the nr 4 place recently achieved on FICS:

NB not only is DS13 a much stronger engine, now also the syzygy
endgame bases can be used with the engine (had to adjust some time
settings, due to some time forfeits, maybe because i don't have
an SSD disc yet for these syzygy bases..).

Below the notes for account kec(C) on Fics:

A super-GM repertoire

From my research the English opening (1.c4!) seems a good
first move in top level chess. Although the fundamental differences
between various opening moves are small (*), and a good GM
obviously also tries to look at what the opponent usually plays,
or knows (repertoire). Yet fundamentally, it also matters to know
how theory  develops, for example:

1.c4 e5 (1...c6 leads to Slav) 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. g3! Bb4! (3...Bc5
4.Nf3! e4 5.Nd4 0-0 6.Bg2 Bxc3 7.dxc3 d6 8.0-0 Re8 9.Nc2
and White maintains a slight advantage.

Otherwise, after 1. c4  Nf6  2. d4 e6 (2...g6 leads to Gruenfeld
or Kings-Indian) 3. Nc3    (g3 also is possible) Bb4!  4. Qc2!  0-0 
(5. e4!?   d5   6. e5   Ne4  7. Bd3  c5 8. Nf3  cxd4  9. Nxd4 Nd7
10. Bf4   Ndc5 11. 0-0  Nxd3=) 5.Nf3! d5 (c5 6.dxc5 Na6 7.g3!
Nxc5 8,Bg2 b6 [...Nce4 9. 0-0 Nxc3 10. bxc3  Be7 11. e4  d6
12. e5  dxe5 13. Nxe5 Qc7 14. Qe2  Bd6 15. Re1 Bd7 16.Bg5!N]
9.0-0 Bxc3  10.Qxc3 Bb7 11.Rd1!  Qe7 12.Qa3! +/=) 6.a3 Bxc3
7.Qxc3 dxc4  8.Qxc4 b6  9.Bg5  Ba6  10.Qa4  h6 11.Bh4 c5
12.dxc5 bxc5 13.Rc1 +=
And so on; and yes, this is a Nimzo-Indian :)

Alternatively, 1. c4 c5?! (Symmetrical English) 2. Nc3 Nc6  3. Nf3 
g6  4. e3  Nf6  5. d4   cxd4  6. exd4  d5  7. cxd5  Nxd5  8. Qb3
Nxc3  9. Bc4   Nd5  10. Bxd5  e6  11. Bxc6+  5  bxc6  12. O-O
Qd5  13. Be3 +/=

(*) in the end Black can always equalize but it is not always easy

PS fundamentally the moves 1.d4 and 1.Nf3 are just as good, after
1.d4  Black can also opt for the Slav defense; after a few moves
White as (super-) GM probably can best  choose the 'Anti-Moscow'
gambit, where there still is some more  theory to be found. And after
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 we get the Nimzo-Indian again after 3...Bb4
(then 4.Qc2! is advised).
After 1.Nf3 (Reti) Black has several choices besides letting White
transpose to Slav, an interesting possibility now is to go for the
Queens-Indian, after 1..e6! 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 b6 and if you know the
latest intricacies of  this defense, it still can be a very solid defense.

New Review

A new review for my chess book:

latest Amazon review (five stars)

small update (for the chess book)

a few corrections;

Having looked at some transpositions in some more detail, i
will re-arrange some chapters in mybook in the positional
repertoire; after 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6!? 3. Bf4,  Black may still
have some problems after all, although i had analyzed such stuff.
So after 1.d4 Black can probably better play d5! going for the Slav
(2. c4 c6! but then Black can also throw in a dubious  Albin gambit
2...e5 no big deal. And 2.Nf3 still is possible, but then after 2...Nf6
3.c4 c6! Black is going for the solid Slav defense again

Secondly there's another possible improvement, in the Moscow
line, After Bxf6 Qxf6  instead of the neutral 8.e3 because
of the strong defense systems with ...g6!, White might  better
go for the Hastings variation with 7,Qb3!?, although
also then Black can equalize, for example:

1. d4 d5  2. Nf3   Nf6  3. c4  c6  4. Nc3 e6  5. Bg5  h6  6. Bxf6  Qxf6  7. Qb3  a5   8. e3  a4!  9. Qc2   a3  10. b3  Bb4  11. Bd3  Nd7  12. O-O   O-O  13. Rac1  Qe7  14. Ne2   Ra5  15. Ng3 =

so stay tuned,
until the next update

jef

Further explanation of my book(s)

Because of some comments by readers some further
explanation of the underlying thoughts in my book
about chess openings seems worthwile:

First of all, it should be noted that there are several
parts in the book, one especially for beginners in
opening theory (yet knowledgeable about the chess
rules and basic play), one for intermediate players,
and as two extra chapters, one with gambits for White,
and the last one a positional repertoire with 1.d4.

In all chapters the concept of a repertoire has been
applied to reduce the number of variations to learn.
Thereby in the first repertoire, for the beginners,
the primary aim was simplicity, starting with 1.e4
for White, and playing 1...e5 with Black.
Note that the latter, Black repertoire also can be
useful for intermediate players.

In the next chapter, the repertoire for White with 1.e4
has been assembled in such a way that White intends
to play the strongest move, no matter what Black's
response is. These strong moves for White were found
by extensive computer analysis, fine-tuning of the opening
database, and back-solving, during many iterations, as well
as comparing it with opening theory such as described
in many GM books. As result a strong repertoire with 1.e4
has been compiled. The worth of the book can be found
already to a large extent in this repertoire for White, where
many novelties were found, and some conclusions which do
not seem to be known yet in other books. For example
the strategy against the Berlin defense by playing first
Rd1+, and then later h3. Or the move 9.g4! against the
complicated Dragon variation, a move which fundamentally
seems the best, as result of my comprehensive analysis.

The same method was used in the intermediate Black repertoire,
using the more positional French defense as additional weapon,
besides the sharp repertoire with 1...e5 which already was given.
Also here some new results were obtained, e.g. refraining
from the Winawer, because White seems to be able to get
an advantage against this variation. Yet also aiming for
some simplicity, thus having chosen the Burn variation
instead of the more complicated Mac-Cutcheon for Black.

In addition, the gambit repertoire with possibilities
after 1.e4 for sharp play, not only was computer checked,
but assembled after in-depth analysis, and thus may
contain many novelties and surprises for the opponent.
An ideal repertoire for blitz play, or against a weaker opponent.

Finally, the positional repertoire with 1.d4, was mostly
put together with the same principles, aiming for the
strongest variations. Yet more complicated play as with
the Catalan has been avoided, and a rather ' positional'
variation as the Moscow Semi-slav (Bg5 h6 Bxf6) was
chosen instead of the complicated anti-Moscow gambit.
Nevertheless, in those instances that this variation comes
on the board, when Black does not know the strongest defense
(using a later ...g6 move and a fianchetto), White has good
chances of maintaining a slight positional advantage.

Thus this repertoire is intended for the more advanced
players at intermediate players, who now and then like
to play 1.d4 instead of 1.e4,  e.g. against stronger players,
and thus broadening their overall knowledge of openings.

In a next book i might describe the strongest repertoire
in chess, which contains of the Sicilian against e4,
and using 1.d4 d5 2.c4 and a subsequent Catalan or Slav
starting with Nc3 instead of Nf3 as in the current book.
Whereby it should be noted that such theory is still
changing year by year, thus making it quite an endeavour
to aim for the very 'best'  openings, in a book which will
last for years.

The current book however, with the solid and strong
variations, is not expected to be subject to many
fundamental changes again, and thus should last for
decades or longer (in a few instances where I found
a slight improvement in the repertoire, I intend to
update this in further editions; such minor revisions
will not change the overall content of the book (containing
of a kindle version on Amazon, and a paperback version
which contains an appendix with more detailed variations
at the end, sold not only on Amazon but also Barnes&Nobles)

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/better-chess-openings-jef-kaan/1121347656

Revised version

having discovered still some little mistakes in the chess notation
in the beginner's chapter, we revised the previous editions:

now on Kindle:

Learning the Chess Openings, Kindle version

Ofcourse the paperback version also has been update,
and the price reduced (!):

Better Chess openings (paperpack)


NB this basically is the same book as the Kindle book above, but
in addition a table with openings for beginners and intermediate
players (Black and White) has been added at the end.

It also is for sale on Lulu.com
Lulu version (paperback)

Social media

gradually now started to use Twitter,
and -sometimes- following some tweets about chess
or by other writers, not only about chess.

so if you like to 'follow' me (for brief messages
eg about computer chess) the account is:

twitter@KecJef

see you - i.e. some of the readers here-
there maybe :)

jef

Kindle version on Amazon

Now my E-book also is available as kindle version on Amazon:

Kindle E-book about chess openings

Still finetuning the layout a bit,
but i'ts already readable quite well,

jef

Learning Chess Openings

New version of the E-book: 
(now called) Learning the Chess Openings 
And that's what it's all about , anyway:)
-----------------------------------------------

kindle (.mobi) version available at kobo:

Epub version online at scrib.com:

Nook version at Barnes&Nobles:

ibook for Apple Mac or Ipad at::


Not only learning chess openings,
but *improved* openings !

jef

New book about openings

 Just released my first  E-book, and of-course it's about chess,

in particular opening theory, especially geared at beginner level

         but also above, at average chess club level, until IM or so.

              Better Chess Openings E-book  (.pdf)

For beginning - intermediate chess players, or those who want to learn it, and then  it's dealing only with the specialty called opening theory.  No e-pub version (yet).

         (The only book at this level, as far as i know, with selected B & W variations for beginners via the 'repertoire' method ; also a rare book with diagrams with Black at the bottom, when it is Blacks move to play(*); thereby a high amount of - colored- diagrams to be an ideal learning tool.)

NB planning to release a printed book (paper)  version before the end of the year (2014), possibly via Ingram Spark, but if there is any (Chess-)publisher having interest, then they can contact me. Probably both a color version (expensive) and a B&W version (cheap) are foreseen.

             jef 

PS writing the book did cost time, but the underlying research has taken me some 15 years, and that's basically where the worth of the book is in.  Thereby also more advanced variations were investigated as Slav and Sicilian for Black, but i decided to split the book up into two parts, the first one for beginners to master level. Second part planned is from master to GM level, but i'm not in a hurry to publish that.

PS 2 About the first book, the current one,  while some people may object to the concept of finding and specifying the 'best' opening moves, my experience in correspondence chess, now at masterlevel on ICCF, has taught me it indeed is a valuable and useful concept; which works! In other words, it is a useful concept, and if it works in correspondence chess, you cannot go wrong by using (or even memorizing) such a repertoire in normal chess; although it might take some time to learn/master it. And GM's usually are at such higher levels
and preoccupied in their own struggles against their fellow GM's
that they usually are not suitable on an educational level
to explain opening theory to beginneers (besides few
exceptions, but such books are rare). As for the recommended
lines in my books, wellmost chess players are independent enough i
suppose to experiment sometimes with other variations.
Well at least in my  book i've provided now some clear
guidelines for the basic lines especially for beginners !

(*) a logical thing to do, obviously , but Chessbase does not
have such a feature, contrary to Chesspad for example

Update of Bookbuilder program

Recently made an update of the Bookbuilder program (4.2)
Now more than 900 thousand position in the default book.
It now gives a reasonable accurate overview of the 'best'
opening variations or defenses , after 1.d4!  1.e4 or 1.Nf3.

Add variation name possible again (it had disappeared
in the previous version).

The 'demo' version on shareit.com is a fully functional
version, working for 14 days.

jef

PS nowadays playing with the Stockfish engine on ICC,
with a 17Mb book made for the Chesspartner interface.

A little test

Above test games were played with time control 40 moves in 40 minutes, on Quad HP9300 with 3 cores, no pondering. Note that Houdini.2 was a modified version, whereby I had improved some values with the Houdini-config tool. And with the Houdini-2 engine, I used my ChessPartner (CP) userbook (about 16Mb), whereby with the new Houdini-3 engine, I used the 'Perfect2012' book by Sedat Canbaz version for ChessPartner(CP). Although these 'perfect' books by Canbaz already are quite good, with previous tests with more games, I concluded my book is about 50 points better. Nb the worst books, like the default CP book is worse, at least 50 rating points worse than 'perfect'.
So whats' the fuzz about new engine releases ? 50 points rating improvement isnt that much, it can also be achieved with better books, hardware and so on. But yes you can use all together as well obviously if you're really fanatic.. And better engines -like Houdini3-certainly help me to improve my opening books. So now eagerly waiting for the Komodo5-mp release; end 2013 maybe ?? :)
(will they catch up with Houdini ?)
And when i get some more time i'll see if i can compare my books with the strong Hiarcs14 book, which is in Chessbase (.ctg) format. First step is to compare the 'Perfect' with the Hiarcs14 book, if Hiarcs also is about 50 points better then i will conclude my CP book is equally good as the Hiarcs book. But maybe later i'll see if i can make a .ctg book myself.

Houdini hype, new theory ?

Recently a new update of the top-engine Houdini-3 was released, and i have analyzed the endnodes of my medium-sized Bookbuilder book with this engine. Subsequently backsolved, and the new book can be downloaded as part of the trial-package for Bookbuilder at www.superchess.com
See link to download, and then -on new page- download 'demo'-version which is fully functioning program for a period of 14 days. Whereby I updated many booklines, i don't claim this is the ultimate theory now, but for intermediate players it gives a good repertoire. For the rest did quite some work on the E-book Chess opening theory, renewed, an innovative approach, for all levels!

Playing with 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 against the Queens-Indian with 3.Nf3 b6 (3...d5 4.Nc3 also is good for White) 4.g3! (main line) leads to strong play for White, with my recent analysis; but Black will be able to equalize, if he/she knows precisely what to do. Which will be described in detail in our E-book about opening theory. So the Catalan with 3.g3 also remains a good choice for advanced players, and we found many novelties which are specified in the latest version of our book. Black can also deviate with 2...c6! going for the Slav or 2...g6 (Gruenfeld), but the 'best' lines found with computer analysis also are given in the E-book.

For those who register for the Bookbuilder program the latest version of the E-book will be sent. With lots of novelties, years ahead of current published theory!
Until end of 2012 with a reduction, thereafter i probably release a Bookbuilder-pro package in addition to the normal Bookbuilder, which will contain my ultrastrong handtuned Chess-Partner opening book, which contains years of work and has been checked against other theoretical works such as the Hiarcs14 book, several GM repertoire (paper)books from Quality Chess, and so on. But the price for the 'pro version will be higher, obviously Good luck with your chess,
jef

PS obviously only with minimax you don't get a really 'playable' computer chess book with statistics, but i have used the info about the best lines to develop a book for the Chess Partner interface, and there the book choice is made by a combination of learned score, statistics, and times played. PS coming weeks I am going to check/improve the book by analyzing (EPD) nodes in the book and then importing them again via the special book correction module in Bookbuilder3.6 (adding the position after one move more, and then backsolving the whole lot again.