
               Release Notes for

                     SdBC 

                Version 0.4.14.0

                 31st July 2004


INTRODUCTION
------------

	SdBC is a chess engine compatible to the WinBoard protocol.
	It can be used as a chess engine for applications such as WinBoard,
        ChessAssistant, Arena, ...  
  

SUPPORTED OPERATING SYSTEMS
---------------------------

	Windows 95 
	Windows 98 
	Windows Me
	Windows NT 4.0
	Windows 2000
	Windows XP	



ENHANCEMENTS
------------

	Improved playing; especially opening and endgame


BUGFIXES
--------

	Fixed "loss-on-time" bug
	
KNOWN LIMITATIONS
-----------------

	Incremental time-control is not supported

	Games with time-control "game in x" may result in a loss on time if the game is 110 moves or longer


HISTORY
-------

	V0.4.13.0:

		Improved opening: Better development of pieces and center control

		Improved endgame: Can handle simple mate KQk and KRk

		Improved search: Aspiration search, basic Null-Move heuristic, position cache (Hash)

		Fixed "promotion moves to type other than queen fail internally". SdBC correctly exported the new type
        	to the GUI but assumed the new type as queen internally.
	

        V0.3.9.0:

                Improved opening: Better development of pieces

                Improved endgame: Better use of pawns 

                Improved search: Some search extensions; use result of aborted iteration if possible 

                GUI autodetection for WinBoard protocol version 1 and 2

                Compatible with ChessMaster8000, ChessAssistant 6.1 and Arena

                Fixed "en-passant move not recognized as valid move after opponent gives check with double pawn move"

                Fixed memory leak which was seen during set up of new positions

                Fixed bug in hash code

                Fixed en-passant moves were not generated during search

                Fixed bug where the engine may play blunders if it plays successive games, e.g. on FICS

                Illegal moves are now reported according to WinBoard specification

                
	V0.2.4.1:


		Fixed bug in draw by 50 moves rule detection where a draw was claimed too early after 25 moves (50 ply)

		Fixed SdBC does not allow games with more than 128 moves for each side

		Re-activated draw by repetition detection in search again


	V0.2.4.0

		Fixed bug in move generator which could lead to a protection fault

		Fixed bug where an opponent's double pawn move which blocks a check was not recognized as a valid move

		Fixed stalemate claiming

		Fixed early draw by repetition claim where the engine claimed draw one ply too early

		Fixed search issue which led to wrong search results

		Fixed time control bug for x moves in y


	V0.2.3.0

		Support for recognition and claim of draw because of insufficient material

		Support for recognition and claim of draw because of 50 moves rule

		Support for recognition and claim of draw because of repetition

		Setup position	

		Fixed bug where under special circumstances an invalid double pawn move was be played

		Fixed "stalemate not claimed"

		Fixed evaluation issue which led to wrong search results

	V0.1.2.0

		Basic time control for 
			- game in x minutes
			- x moves in y minutes

		Resign if it is time to do so

		Retract move support

		"Move now" support
			

	V0.1.1.0

		Initial beta release
