🚀 go-pugleaf

The questions are not so foolish as one might think.

GNU has brought me, and hopefully a lot of other people to, in contact with
chess programming.  It has done a great job over time concerning computers
and computer chess to both me and many others.

But now, the GNU chess project is stuck in many aspects.  The program is
very badly structured (has been modified a lot), doesn't play that well
(compared with other programs), has been ported in many ways to different
platforms but the UNIX version still seems to be leading.  It is also not
very clear how you make your own suggestions in a way you are sure to have
them incorporated.  If you are not on the UNIX platform, there is little
chance you can reorganise without breaking with its roots.

Many developments took the interface of GNU but put another engine
underneath.  Crafty is a good example.  Once you get to know the chess
programs a little, it is better to start from Crafty.  This makes GNU chess
a dead end.  The idea was great and has brought us a long way, but if the
project isn't reviewed completely, it's dead.

The reason for this are not the persons maintaining it, it has been ported
in too many ways thus limiting possible thourough changes with a widespread
acceptance.  (cfr DOS/Windows)

Either we all decide to restart GNU chess with portions of the current
source in a new version 5, or we stick to version 4.  I would strongly
suggest a version 5 with a clearly defined interface in between the search
engine and the necessary front end, keeping in mind all sorts of platforms.
 (UNIX, MacOS, DOS, Windows, X-Windows, Atari, Amiga...)  First we could
define the interface, and only then start coding.  It would be worthfull to
discuss integrating different search algoritms in the same program.

Of course, this is a personal view.  Please do not feel offended.

See you,

Yves Debilloëz
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/yves_debilloez


-------------------- Begin Original Message --------------------

Message text written by INTERNET:stevedicks@comports.com

> I am wondering whether there are any plans to update the GnuChess for the
> Mac program available on the Internet. It's been stuck on version 4.0b5
> for about as long as I can remember.  Is there still any work being done
> on it?
>
> Pardon me if this is a common (or naive) question.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Mike.

Same question about the main line of GnuChess - it's been stuck at 4.0 pl77
for some time now."

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