How to make a polyglot ini file

[Skjaldmaer]

This thread is more than 10 years old, and completely obsolete. The polyglot.exe contained in the WinBoard 4.8.0 package is a native Windows compile, and doesn't need cygwin1.dll to run. For normal applications you also won't need to make a polyglot.ini file; when you install a UCI engine like Houdini in WinBoard through the Engine -> Load Engine menu, all you have to do (after pointing out the Houdini executable) is to tick the UCI checkbox. WinBoard will then automatically invoke Polyglot, and instruct it to create the necessary ini file (in the _PG folder) for use with Houdini. If you want to adjust the setting of other Houdini options, you can do that through the Engine -> Engine #N Settings dialog, and when you want the altered settings to be in force on every future occasion you load Houdini, you can press Polyglot Save in that dialog. This then automatically updates the ini file.

The point is that you never have to know that Polyglot, let alone its ini files exist. If you have to access or refer to them in an explicit way, you are almost certainly doing something very wrong. Just tell WinBoard the engine is UCI, and it should take care of anything that is needed to use UCI engines in exactly the same way as WB engines.

Thx very much, it worked out very well and is actually pretty easy. I've checked that .ini file as well and looks good. I know it's old post, but didn't know that much about how these things work. Have downloaded the 2466 pgn files/matches of Kasparov, will try to make a .bin book of it, for white and black side.
Thx again, was a good help for me..

Skjaldmaer

[H.G.Muller]

Note that WinBoard 4.8.0 can also make a book by itself: just load the file with games, and then click File -> Save as Book. (It will use the name of the GUI book set in the Engine -> Common Engine dialog to save on.)

[Skjaldmaer]

Thx, is what i wanted to ask. Many different settings about own book, and other ones.

In 'Engine - Engine Settings
There i see upper part 'Own Book box', Book File, 'Best Book line' box
That's not what is used in lower Polyglot section i think. Will those work together at same time if put other path from other .bin book? And which one will act always first?

In 'Action - Common Engine Settings
There i also see 'Use Book box', 'First has Own Book box' and 'Second has Own Book box', and also can set a Path there as well, i don't know what all those different types actually mean or which one is first in use by the Engine(Houdini6.03 with me). Is the 'Book Variation' in this setting for all the Books that are used, or just one, if so, which one if will let make variations, polyglot or one of the other books in other sections?

I have the Performance.bin, and other ones, also made with Polyglot a .bin book of all Kasparov's games as well.
I'd like to make/try to let the Kasparov.bin as the leading one, and if is possible, the Performance.bin afterwards or to help it.

Is that possible and if so, how or at which menu i'll have to put those .bin files to achieve this result pls?
I know it's maybe many questions, but so many book boxes and paths for One engine makes me confused a little bit.

PS: I'll try the 'File - Save Games to Book, as well afterwards with the Kasparov pgn files that i have, will see in which part can put those after finish it. Is good to see if there's a difference with the Polyglot program books i made. If do 'Save Games to Book', will it not overwrite those that i've put in one of the paths that i wrote above?
Thx in advance dear friends..

[H.G.Muller]

WinBoard can use a GUI book, meaning that it would play on behalf of any engine using it without consulting the engine. The settings of that are in the Common Engine Settings dialog. As far as WinBoard is concerned, Polyglot is just an engine. Ticking 'Has Ow Book' suppresses use of the book, and requests a move from the engine even in opening situations. 'Book Variation' and 'Book Depth' only apply to this GUI book.

But Polyglot itself also supports a book, using it when WinBoard asks it to move, and the book is switched on. The options that control that are in the Engine #N Settings dialog, as WinBoard considers Polyglot the engine. But because of their naming (all starting with 'Polyglot') WinBoard displays them in a separate section of the Engine Settings dialog.

Finally some engines can also consult and play from a book themselves. (E.g. Fruit.) Then there will be options to control the use of that book in the Engine Settings dialog outside the Polyglot section. (Because their name likely won't start with 'Polyglot'.

Beware: If you do 'Save Games to Book', it will overwrite any existing book of that name! But it will pop up a warning that the file exists first time you attempt it, to give you an opportunity to change your mind. If you then repeat the command it just does it silently.

[Skjaldmaer]

Greetings,

Thx very much for this explanation and fast reaction. This clear things up in my mind. You guys are great.
If i understand well, i guess if they go out of the book in engine settings, they'll see if the GUI book can be used to continue, if that one find moves in its book?

Enjoy your games..


Skjaldmaer

[H.G.Muller]

No, the other way around. The GUI will consult its book first, and play from it as long as it can and is allowed to (subject to 'Book Depth'), without Polyglot or the engine even knowing (i.e. they will get the move the GUI decided on as part of loading it with a given game). Only when it is out of the GUI book it will ask Polyglot to move, which will then consult the book specified in the Polyglot options of Engine Settings. If that book doesn't provide a move either, Polyglot will ask the engine for a move, and only then the engine would have an opportunity to move from its own book, if it has one.

[Skjaldmaer]

Thanks
That's good to know, and a very interesting issue, if want to use more then 1 book.


Skjaldmaer