Critter

Originally Critter was developed in Delphi, but Delphi has not still 64bit compiler.
That is why the program from version 0.42 was rewritten to C++ using a BitBoard technology.
Such concept gives possibility to reach top performance.
Gaviota table bases are used. Richard thinks GTB is a better choice for developers than Nalimov, because it has a more liberal license.

This time Critter 1.01 keeps the 4th place world-wide - behind Houdini, Rybka and StockFish (Komodo has not MP version).

Check the current status here:
IPON http://www.inwoba.de/
CEGT 40/20 MP http://www.husvankempen.de/nunn/40_40%20Rating%20List/40_40%20MPVersion/rangliste.html
CCRL 40/40 http://www.computerchess.org.uk/ccrl/4040/

The author

Taken from Frank Quisinsky's interview  http://www.schach-welt.de/interviews/richard-vida  

Richard Vida was born in 1977. He has studied computer science and now he's working as software developer/consultant.
His first encounter with computer chess was back in 80's microcomputer era, playing against Colossus 4.0 on a Sinclair ZX Spectrum.
Since then for many years he wasn't interested in chess at all (except for occasional games in our local pub) until he started working on Critter in late 2008.
Since then he became addicted to chess programming  

Richard is a weak chess player. It was a sort of satisfaction when his program was good enough to win consistently against his stronger playing friends.
Critter is not yet mature enough to have a distinctive playing style and relies more on tactics.

Richard Vida doesn't think he could make a living from computer chess. It is only a hobby and Critter will be always free of charge.  

Richard has not done any GUI-specific tweaks. He is using mainly Arena for normal games. For ultra fast engine-engine matches he developed a custom auto tester  

Základní informace jsou převzaty z rozhovoru s Frankem Quisinsky  http://www.schach-welt.de/interviews/richard-vida  

Richard se narodil 1977, vystudoval informatiku a nyní pracuje v softwaru. První setkání s počítačovým šachem bylo ZX Spectrum a legendární Colossus 4.
Na Critteru začal pracovat v roce 2008 pro zábavu, komerční verzi neplánuje.

Richard je slabý hráč a tak ho těšilo, že silnější kolegy porazí aspoň jeho program.
Fruitem nebyl příliš ovlivněn, protože v době jeho publikace se programováním šachů ještě nezabýval.

Critter je UCI motor; pro běžnou práci používá autor Arénu a kromě toho pro velmi rychlé testy má vyvinutý speciální autoplayer.
Program nemá specifický šachový styl, je spíš založen na taktice.