Chess960 is not implemented correctly in Chessbase.
Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 1:48 pm
I'm using Fritz 10 and yesterday I downloaded the new version of Critter 1.0 64bit. I installed it in Fritz 10 using the UCI protocol built in and checked off the Chess960 option. I proceeded to play a Chess 960 game and castled as White when I got a chance. The engine immediately crashed. I fired up Shredder Classic 4 and installed Critter 1 64bit in there and played the exact same Chess960 setup and castled. The engine did not crash.
Conclusion: Chessbase and Arena are not using the Shredder implementation of Chess 960 or they are using a non standard version of the Chess 960 protocol. Bottom line from my experience suggests if you want to play Chess 960 correctly you must use the Shredder GUI. I have not checked Aquarium's implementation as I only have Rybka 3.1. Currently ChessPartner 6.1 doesn't support FischerRandom. That's as far as I've determined on my tests. Anyone care to comment on this state af affairs?
Conclusion: Chessbase and Arena are not using the Shredder implementation of Chess 960 or they are using a non standard version of the Chess 960 protocol. Bottom line from my experience suggests if you want to play Chess 960 correctly you must use the Shredder GUI. I have not checked Aquarium's implementation as I only have Rybka 3.1. Currently ChessPartner 6.1 doesn't support FischerRandom. That's as far as I've determined on my tests. Anyone care to comment on this state af affairs?