Engine Chess

An endgame tablebase is a computerized database of all chess positions within certain endgames. The tablebase reveals the game-theoretical value of each position (win, loss, or draw), and how many moves it will take to achieve that result with perfect play. Thus, the tablebase acts as an oracle, always providing the optimal moves for both White and Black.

Tablebases are generated by retrograde analysis, working backwards from a checkmated or stalemated position. Tablebases have solved chess for every position with six or fewer pieces (including the two kings). The results of the solution have profoundly advanced the chess community's understanding of endgame theory. Some positions which humans had analyzed as draws were proved to be winnable; the tablebase could see a mate in 100 moves or more, far beyond the horizon of both humans and computers. Tablebases have enhanced competitive play and facilitated the composition of endgame studies. They provide a powerful analytical tool, enabling students of chess to discover its deepest secrets.

These web-sites allow you to probe endgame positions online using your browser.

Pros of probing online:

• You don't need any EGTB files on your computer (saving hundreds of gigabytes of space).
• You don't need any chess software either, just a browser.

Cons:

• You can check only one position at a time.
• You can check only position that itself falls within 6-men table, those servers don't do any search.

Links:

• Knowledge4IT (All 3 to 6-men tables except 5 vs 1)
• Shredder Chess (All 3 to 6-men tables except 5 vs 1)
• ChessOK (All 3 to 6-men tables except 5 vs 1)
• Lokasoft (All 3 to 5-men)
• John Tamplin (All 3 to 5-men, partial 6-men)

http://tablebase.sesse.net

http://rapidshare.com/users/SW4GXY

http://rapidshare.com/users/WU9F88

http://rapidshare.com/users/M7KUWC

These Tablebases have been upload to RapidShare.Com. Free Download for any file under 100MB. To download any file over 100MB you must  be a Premium User. For these files you can join for One (1) month or download them from ftp://chess:chess@pakman.myftp.org/

 http://kirr.homeunix.org/chess/discussion-board/viewforum.php?f=6

The PAKserver at ftp://chess:chess@pakman.myftp.org which is available 24/7 and specializes in providing Endgame Tablebases.The site is usually full so be patience.

 http://www.chessbase.com/shop/product.asp?pid=190

 http://uscfsales.com/item.asp?PID=373

This Nalimov DVD includes the most complete version of the 3-4-5 piece NALIMOV Endgame Tablebases (290 files). It is fully compatible with Chess Assistant 6 or 7, Comprehensive Chess Endings, Fritz 7/8, Tiger 14/15, Shredder 7, Junior and many other engines.

These Nalimov Endgame Tablebases will tell you exactly how to play out any position with 5 or less pieces are left on the board, since they are very instructive while analyzing endgames with a small number of pieces. The program knows whether the position is won, lost, or drawn, and how many moves it will take to win or draw, assuming best play by both sides. You can use the tablebases while viewing games, analyzing, or playing against a computer. The Nalimov Endgame Tablebases require a minimum of 64 meg of RAM and 7.5 GIG(!) of hard disk space. The program will run under Windows 95/98/2000/NT/ME/XP.