CENT is a computer-computer tournament starting from (mostly strategic) end game positions only. The goal of CENT is to measure the end game playing strength in comparison with the CCRL and CEGT rating lists, if the order is going to fluctuate and with how much. For engine authors it may serve as an inspiration to improve in this area.

Specifics:

• Hardware HP Z800 8 core, 8 Gb RAM, approx 2.8 GHz running 4 matches simultaneously.
• Time control: Blitz 30m/+1s.
• Type: pools. Each pool contains 8 engines, thus 7 rounds.
• Games:  from 21 predefined end game position each engine will play 42 games.
• Number of games: 7 x 42 x 4 = 1176 games (294 games each).
• Duration: since one game takes about 1 hour the tournament is expected to run for 10-12 days.
• Nature: in each of the 25 starting positions is something to play for, no boring endings.
• Single processor only.
• Permanent Brain = on
• No learning allowed.
• No table bases since they may influence other cores.
• Interface: in principle Arena.

Other stipulations

• It's not possible to submit a new version after the positions are known after round-1.
• Only exception will be on serious bugs.
• Round updates | ranking | PGN download | live support as in YAT.

Pools

• The main pool for this first edition will contain 8 high rated engines as listed below.
• Sub pools are free to subscribe for engine authors, like the main pool they wil contain 8 engines and are classified according their rating.
• Private engines allowed as long as they are not clones or closely derived, I will check.
• Start ELO ratings according to the CCRL 40/40 rating list (1 cpu) of April 29, 2016.

Start tournament at May 15, 2016.

If you are interested subscribe. Mail me, or PM me at Talkchess or use the contact form.

Subscription will close May 13, 2016 and engines need to be in my position in order to set-up things properly.

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Main Pool