From the computer chess magazine Selective Search

by Eric Hallsworth

I maintain a 'Top Ten' coverage on the Internet, updating it from time to time. The Selective Search Magazine Listings have more details, including Ratings from games/matches v. human opposition, so I hope Internet users will consider subscribing to it, as income I receive from Selective Search is an important part of my livelihood!

Selective Search Ratings

Each computer/program's rating figure is calculated by combining its computer-v-computer results WITH its results against graded players in proper tournaments. The level of the finished List is determined by the results v graded players. More computer-v-computer games are played than those v-humans, as it is physically and financially impossible to obtain the number of games of the latter type that we would wish.

Gradings from computer-v-computer results do not always match those of a computer-v-humans, because a program CAN be prepared specifically to do its best against other computers, OR it can be programmed to do its best against humans! The latter is what USERS want, but programmers inevitably have one eye on our Rating Lists, and are aware of the preponderance of computer-v-computer games which helps produce them! Even so, my view is that to have this type of Computer Rating List as an attempted measure for the programmers and other interested parties, and as a guide for prospective purchasers, is BETTER than to have no list at all, and SELECTIVE SEARCH does combine both types of result!

Please also note that the results on which my Ratings are based do include (with permission) the valuable SSDF scores and, as the calculations combine SO MANY results, I hope that they achieve a high level of accuracy. The Ratings are initially calculated in British BCF figures, before being converted to Elo figures using the formula (BCF * 8) + 600 = Elo.

The TOP RATINGS, including as far as possible all of the NEWEST PC programs and dedicated CHESS COMPUTERS, are:

PC PROGRAMS

Ratings are based on Pentium Pro/MMX machines at 200-233MHz.

• BCF Elo Program

1. 255 2642 Fritz 6a
2. 253 2630 Junior 6a
3. 252 2619 Rebel Tiger
4. 252 2617 Hiarcs 732
5. 251 2612 Hiarcs 7.1
6. 250 2600 Nimzo 732
7. 250 2594 Shredder4
8. 249 2593 Fritz 532
9. 248 2584 Nimzo 99a
10. 247 2582 Fritz 516
11. 247 2579 Chessmaster 6000
12. 246 2572 Junior 5
13. 244 2557 Hiarcs 6
14. 243 2548 Shredder 3
15. 243 2547 Rebel 10
16. 243 2547 Rebel 9
17. 242 2537 MChess Pro 7
18. 241 2534 MChess Pro 8
19. 241 2533 Rebel Century
20. 241 2533 Genius 5 - Genius 6 estimated to be almost the same - not enough results in yet for Genius6.5, but it may be higher!
21. 237 2501 Gandalf3
22. 234 2475 Kallisto2
23. 226 2413 CS-Tal2

Others of interest, on Pentium/133MHz machines. Add approx. 60 Elo to get a P/233 equivalent rating: [228 2427 Nimzo3.5] .... [228 2426 Chessmaster 5000/5500] .... [220 2360 W Chess] .... [214 2313 Rebel Decade2.0]

DEDICATED COMPUTERS

Here I show the Computer, Elo grading, and a code to indicate the type of board. w=wood, auto-sensory, ps=press-sensory, pl=portable plug-in, pc=portable calculator.

• BCF Elo Computer

1. 223 2386 Tasc R30-1995 (w)
2. 219 2356 Mephisto LONDON 68030 (w)
3. 215 2326 Mephisto LONDON PRO 68020 (ps)
4. 212 2301 Mephisto RISC2 (w)
5. 207 2258 Kasparov SPARC (w)
6. 205 2242 Mephisto ATLANTA* (ps) - MAGELLAN* (w)
7. 205 2242 Mephisto MONTREUX (ps)
8. 203 2231 Kasparov RISC 2500 (ps)
9. 196 2170 Novag DIAMOND2* (ps) - SAPPHIRE2* (pc)
10. 191 2131 Mephisto MILANO PRO* (ps) - SENATOR (w)
11. Port plug-in #1: 179 2033 Kasparov COSMOS* (pl) (ex Travel Champ 2100)
12. Port plug-in #2: 175 2005 Novag AMBER* (pl)

Subscribing to Selective Search

The annual subscription (6 Issues per year) is ?0 in the UK, ?5 elsewhere. Payments can be made by cheque in pounds sterling, postal order, or credit card (Access, Visa or American Express). Write to Eric Hallsworth, The Red House, 46 High Street, Wilburton, Cambs CB6 3RA, or e-mail: eric@elhchess.demon.co.uk