Neue "Chess Saver" version

[spaetz]

Dear Chess Saver Participants,

I'd like to announce the release of version 2.0 of the Chess Saver client 2.0.

For the first time, the new version implements a genetic algorithm to train multi-layer-perceptron neural networks on sets of chess positions with known best continuations (e.g. endgame studies, mate in n moves, white to move and win, ...).

The main new features of Chess Saver 2.0 are ...

* ... the installation routine places links to the Chess Saver components into the Windows Start menu,
* ... feedback at a glance on the progress of the evolution,
* ... an option to run the client either permanently in the background or in screen saver mode (also new: you can run any screen saver you like besides the chess screen saver).
* ... proxy server support,
* ... an option to have the client connect to the server automatically once a task is finished,
* ... a possibility to view the status of the evolution anytime in terms of computation time, current generation, current best fitness and population diversity,
* ... an option to modify the key parameters of the algorithm before a new task starts (e.g. number of generations, population size, number of hidden layers, number of nodes per hidden layer, ...).

The last feature is what sets this project apart from other distributed computing efforts on the web: Users can actively participate by shaping the search for chess-playing neural nets. On the other hand, if somebody is not inclined to do so, she may just install the client and forget all about it.

Check it out at http://wind.prohosting.com/chessweb

Best regards and thanks for your support
Ralf Seliger