SMIRF

Last updated
SMIRF
Developer(s) Reinhard Scharnagl
Stable release
MS-176b / December 29, 2009;9 years ago (2009-12-29)
Operating system Windows
Type Computer chess
License Shareware/Donationware
Website www.chessbox.de/chess/SMIRF.html [ dead link ]

SMIRF (an acronym for Strategiespielprogramm mit intelligent rückkoppelnden Funktionen) [1] is a Windows chess game. It implements an appropriate innovative variant of an adaptive recursive feedback algorithm. The procedure effectively cuts the search tree both in depth and in width. Creating an optimally efficient chess engine is a touchstone of artificial intelligence research. Thus, this approach is associated with artificial intelligence. The creation of such software is a goal of the SMIRF project.

Algorithm an unambiguous specification of how to solve a class of problems

In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm is an unambiguous specification of how to solve a class of problems. Algorithms can perform calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning tasks.

In computer science, a search tree is a tree data structure used for locating specific keys from within a set. In order for a tree to function as a search tree, the key for each node must be greater than any keys in subtrees on the left and less than any keys in subtrees on the right.

In computer chess, a chess engine is a computer program that analyzes chess or chess variant positions, and generates a move or list of moves that it regards as strongest. A chess engine is usually a back end with a command-line interface with no graphics nor windowing. Engines are usually used with a front end, a windowed graphical user interface such as Chessbase or WinBoard that the user can interact with via a keyboard, mouse or touchscreen. This allows the user to play against multiple engines without learning a new user interface for each, and allows different engines to play against each other.

Chess variants

SMIRF plays several chess variants:

Games played on an 8x8 board
Games played on a 10x8 board

Capablanca Chess is a chess variant invented in the 1920s by former World Chess Champion José Raúl Capablanca. It incorporates two new pieces and is played on a 10×8 board. Capablanca believed that chess would be played out in a few decades. This threat of "draw death" for chess was his main motivation for creating a more complex version of the game.

Capablanca Random Chess (CRC) is a chess variant invented by Reinhard Scharnagl in 2004. It combines the piece set and 10×8 board from Capablanca Chess with the permutation idea of Fischer Random Chess. This game won a contest in 2005 held at The Chess Variant Pages to design a variant based upon the theme of the number 10.

Embassy Chess is a chess variant created in 2005 by Kevin Hill. It borrows the opening setup from Grand Chess by Christian Freeling and adapts it to the 10x8 board. Embassy chess is a non-commercial Capablanca Random Chess variant that is played on a 10x8 board with two additional pawns per side and two fairy chess pieces: the marshall and the cardinal.

See also

References

  1. An English translation would be "Strategic Game Program With Intelligent Recursing Facilities".