Rykba 2.1 UCI CD by IM Vasik Raijlich, Convekta, $65.00

The new chess engine Rybka (Czech for little fish) has come from nowhere

late last year to be number one in the World. The engine was originally only

available for direct purchase via the web (www.rybkachess.com). The

distribution was based on a subscription model with buyers able to download

versions from the original beta up to the current version. Now Convekta have

released two CD versions. The first includes the engine and an opening book

that works only with Chess Assistant 9. The second CD includes the UCI which

works with Chess Assistant, Chessbase, Fritz, Shredder and Arena. The main

strength of the engine appears to be in the middlegame, and this is due to

some new ideas for searching, devised by the Hungarian author, IM Vasik

Rajlich. Now that Rybka has hit number one, it will be interesting to see

how its competitors respond to the challenge. In the meantime, Rybka can

bask at the top.

Highly recommended. Brian Jones/Joe Petrolito

 

Brian Jones

Australian Chess Enterprises

www.chessaustralia.com.au