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Ferret dates from approximately 1990, although serious work didn't start until 1994. The program is 100% original, although at the time I started I had access to the Gnuchess source code. That code was kind of messy and it was its messy state that inspired me to think that I could do better. In 1994 I created something that could play a complete game of chess. The program entered Don Beal's uniform-platform tournament later that year (I emailed him a copy of the program), and it scored well. Surprisingly well, since the program had never played a game at tournament time controls before. In late 1994 I discovered the ICC. Work immediately stopped on the program as I spent many hours using the program to play against other computers, and against strong humans including some grandmasters and other titled players. During 1994 and 1995, I made the acquaintance of many other chess programmers, and I am indebted to these people, without whom Ferret would still be very weak. Included in this list are Bob Hyatt, Peter McKenzie, Dave Kittinger, John Stanback, Mark Lefler, Martin Zentner, Thorsten Greiner, and Stefan Meyer-Kahlen. The program played in two ICCA events in 1995, which started a string that has remained unbroken except for the year 2000 event. |
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