TCEC Season 9 artwork by Santiago Mendez
The strongest chess event in history started this May 1st with the participation of 12 engines over 3100 ELO and, 17 engines over 3000 ELO and a total of 32 participants. Currently the preliminary Stage 1a is underway – a single round robin with sixteen participants, eight of them qualifying for further stages of the TCEC Season 9.
After five rounds, the Grand Champion Komodo (ELO 3225), the three time champion Houdini, and the bronze medalist from last season Gull are leading the tournament with 4,5/5. This is a full point ahead of Ginkgo and Rybka with 3,5/5.
The battle for the 8 positions giving qualification will be, as expected, the highlight of the group stage. Protector, Raptor, and Texel are deservedly at 6th-8th position with 3,0/5 after beautiful chess in the first rounds. They are closely followed by Fizbo and Hannibal with 2,5/5 and Bobcat with 2.0/5.
The rest of the engines – DisasterArea, Laser, Hakkapeliitta, Myrddin, and Fridolin are forming a competition of their own and every small step is a big victory for these new ambitious engines.
See the live standings table here
Solid battles are coming this Sunday evening and on Monday. Some of the highlights include:
Game 44: Houdini vs Ginkgo
Game 46: Raptor vs Rybka
Game 47: Komodo vs Hannibal
Game 51: Rybka – Komodo
Game 52: Texel vs Raptor
Game 54: Gull vs Houdini
Follow the games on the official website of TCEC – with PV graphics, analysis, depth, speed and more