Fire
is a very strong, state-of-the-art, highly optimized, freeware UCI chess engine...designed for modern 64-bit Windows and Linux systems.
Fire (previously called Firebird) has been in continuous development since Jan. 2010
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Over the last 10 years, the computer chess landscape has changed a lot. Previously, programmers had very few rudimentary guides to the process. But now the ideas, techniques, etc. used to create strong engines are well known and extremely well documented...take a look at https://www.chessprogramming.org/
In many ways, developing a strong engine today has become more of an engineering challenge than anything else. One must ask 'What are these techniques that really work well and/or have proven best, and how can one best architect and program them into a functional, strong, and unique entity?'
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Many open-source projects have contributed enormously to the shared knowledge…serving to educate and guide, like blue-prints.
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I'm grateful and indebted to many for all this shared knowledge, and would like to specifically credit the open-source
Ippolit, Ivanhoe, Gull, Houdini (https://www.cruxis.com/chess/houdini.htm), and Stockfish (https://stockfishchess.org).
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I have drawn upon and use the ideas and techniques from all of these engines.
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If you are interested in learning about my particular testing methodology, I've explained it in some detail here:
http://www.chessdom.com/fire-the-chess-engine-releases-a-new-version/ (or click on the TESTING menu choice above).
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I want to thank anyone and everyone who has supported my efforts with Fire though these last 10 years.
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May Peace Be With You!
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Norman Schmidt