Critter (chess)

Critter

Developer(s)	Richard Vida
Stable release	1.6a 64-bit / June 2012
Written in	C++
Operating system	Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Android
Type	Chess engine
License	Proprietary
Website	www.vlasak.biz/critter/

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]

History

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

Tornado vs Critter,
nTCEC S2, Stage 2, 3.6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Here Critter played 16...Ng4, sacrificing a rook for a strong attack.

• Tornado vs Critter, nTCEC S2, Stage 2, 3.7, 0–1 Critter sacs two pawns and the exchange to build up a strong attack.[8]
• Toga vs Critter, nTCEC S2, Stage 2, 4.6, 0–1[8]

References

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. "Interesting Games from Season 2". Archived from the original on 25 October 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2013.