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Interview with IM Vasik Rajlich, author of Rybka chess program
Written by content team 24 July 2007
 Vasik Rajlich is an International Master and the author of Rybka chess playing program. Rybka is the strongest chess engine by a big margin having rating 3048 (Deep Fritz 2884, Deep Junior 2831). Rybka leads every rating list and has won every tournament in the past year. Rybka won the recently held 15th World Computer Chess Championship also Rybka beat GM Joel Benjamin very convincingly with 4.5 - 1.5 score. Vasik's wife, Iweta is also an International Master, she helps him with the development of Rybka.
In this interview Vasik Rajlich, he tells us about Rybka chess playing program, updates on Rybka vs Fritz match, anti-computer chess etc.We hope our readers would enjoy reading the interview with interesting snaps of IM Vasik Rajlich.
LatestChess :- Hello Vasik, congratulations for the success at 15th World Computer Chess
Championship. Before we start the interview, could you introduce yourself and
Rybka chess program?
Vasik Rajlich :-
Sure. My name is Vasik Rajlich, I am the author of Rybka, which leads all of the
computer chess rating lists by huge margins. The project started in March 2003
and has been my full-time occupation since October 2005.
LatestChess :- In the recently held World Computer Chess Championship, every computer has
different hardware configuration. To find out the best program, during the match
it is necessary to provide them the same hardware configuration (equal
conditions). What would you like to say about it?
(http://www.grappa.univ-lille3.fr/icga/tournament.php?id=173)
Vasik
Rajlich :-
These tournaments are too short to tell us which program is the best. This task
is best accomplished by independent ratings lists such as CEGT, CCRL, CSS and
SSDF. These ratings are based on hundred of games played under controlled
conditions.
LatestChess :- Any updates on "Rybka $100,000 challenge to FIDE President" matter? Can we
see Junior vs Rybka match in Mexico between 12 September - 1 October 2007,
during the FIDE World Chess Championship?
Vasik
Rajlich :-
Discussions are being held, but nothing is signed yet. If things conclude well,
there will be an update soon.
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During World
Computer Chess Championship 2007 |
LatestChess :- In couple of years computer technologies will further advance. Do you think
Computers will surely beat everyone including the most celebrated Grand Masters
and World Champions? Do you think the playing style matters when you play
against computers, computers find it hard against positional players?
Vasik
Rajlich :-
It's pretty clear that all of the top chess engines are better than the best
human players. There is no indication from past results that positional or
tactical players perform better when playing against computers, although the
theory that positional players would fare better does make some sense.
LatestChess :- Although working in a team helps but its not easy to co-ordinate with chess
players and pure programmers in a team. Developers of chess playing computer
program must decide on many issues like - Board representation, Search
techniques, Leaf evaluation, decide whether to use endgame databases or other
optimizations. How do you co-ordinate?
Vasik
Rajlich :-
I'm the main developer - I have to decide which ideas are good for Rybka and
which ideas are bad. IM Larry Kaufman helps with the engine - he performs all
sorts of experiments and investigations into various chess features.
Rybka Team :
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Age: |
35 |
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Profession: |
software developer, now
Rybka developer |
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Hobbies: |
chess (international
master), all sports, movies, Washington Redskins |
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Current residence: |
Budapest, Hungary |
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Iweta
Rajlich |
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Main
Rybka tester |
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Age: |
26 |
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Profession: |
chess player (FIDE Elo 2450) |
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Hobbies: |
reading, basketball, music |
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Current residence: |
Budapest, Hungary |
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Jeroen
Noomen |
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Rybka
opening book author |
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Age: |
almost 40 |
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Profession: |
IT-support insurance company |
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Hobbies: |
chess, computerchess, collecting dedicated
chess computers of the 1980's, listening to music, watching movies &
sports, cycling |
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Current residence: |
Apeldoorn, the Netherlands |
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Christoph Kling |
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Rybka
website designer |
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Age: |
20 |
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Profession: |
programmer, student |
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Hobbies: |
programming (www.C-Kling.de),
music (elektro, techno), movies, cars |
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Current residence: |
Ingelheim, Germany |
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Felix
Kling |
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Rybka
webmaster |
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Age: |
20 |
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Profession: |
I'm doing a FSJ in sports (chess) till
September, then I'll start studying chemistry |
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Hobbies: |
chess |
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Current residence: |
Ingelheim, Germany |
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Larry
Kaufman |
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Rybka
algorithms |
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Age: |
59 |
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Profession: |
Chess
teacher/writer/competitor (FIDE IM, Elo 2369) |
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Hobbies: |
Shogi (personal
info page),
Go |
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Current
residence: |
Potomac,
Maryland U.S.A. |
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