This time I would like to introduce you to an uncommon chess engine written in Zig language.
Source: GitHub
Avalanche is a free open source chess engine by Mr. Yinuo Huang under the MIT license.
Did the fact that Zig was used make this chess engine weak?
By no means! Avalanche, is a strong engine that plays at a level above 3100 Elo.
Source: MCERL (ongoing)
I am very happy that more and new chess engines are being created :)
The times when, our favorite programs were written mainly in C and C++ are irrevocably gone. Today we can also enjoy engines created in other languages, such as Rust, Go, Zig and others. And their performance does not differ from those created in C/C++.
I have been closely and sympathetically following the development of this engine for some time. Avalanche made its debut a few months ago in the MCERL, and it looks like it will stay with us for a long time. It's a stable chess engine that provides good competition even against more established opponents.
And how can Avalanche play ?
Go ahead, find out in the example below:
White: Avalanche 1.4.0, Black: Crafty 25.3 *
In this example, I would like to show Avalanche's ability to build a winning position from "nothing". Avalanche is an engine that reminds me a bit of earlier versions of Komodo, which was able to maneuver consistently, relentlessly and effectively to develop an absolutely winning position. No fireworks, but effective.
Equal position, white has its assets, and also black has full strength with good positioning.
10. b4
Avalanche chose to play on the Queen's wing.
14. d4
A good move with the pawn at the right time.
16.Nf5
Crafty seems to have made only one major inaccuracy in this game. He missed killing Knight in it's last move.
White does not wait and occupies f5 field, perfect for Knight.
31. Ndc4
By the 31st move, both players had made many maneuvers. But how the position has changed with the forces aligned!
White plays more and more actively and occupies good squares, black figures are more and more passive.
38.a6
White obtains a strategically winning position. Their figures occupy optimal positions, as many as two pawns are on the sixth line.
39.a7
Crafty can only watch the developments on the chessboard.
41.Nd5
The mighty white Knight is about to determine the forests of this game. Take a look at it's black opponent on the h6 field - Crafty cannot use it.
45.Nc7
The final act of this game has just begun.
50.Qb5
Avalanche secures victory. The game went on for some more time, but due to white's overwhelming advantage, Crafty was unable to turn the game around.
How different this game is from the ones I usually present on the pages of News Chessengeria.com.
A great example of a calm and clever game. And although long, it is certainly not boring.
I will be on the lookout for future versions of the Avalanche chess engine with some excitement.
The author Mr. Yinuo Huang is a talented Creator who can boast more than just this great engine in his portfolio. I recommend taking a look at his website to learn more about his works :)
You are invited to download the Avalanche chess engine.
Linux x64 – Compiled by Darius
Mac Apple Silicon & Intel – Compiled by Darius
Windows x64 – Compiled by Darius
In the Files area you will find free chess engines for download.
* Diagrams generated in the Lucas Chess program.
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