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Subject: Komputer Korner Krash List #7: ALEXS

Author: Djordje Vidanovic

Date: 07:51:33 01/08/99


I hadn't taken a proper look at the KKK List#7 (www.gambitsoft.com) till last
night and then I saw that ALEXS, the chess playing program by Alex van Tiggelen,
was listed there. I almost fell off my chair!  I have a copy of ALEXS here, at
home, courtesy of a Dutch friend, and must say that apart from its quite Spartan
set of options and features I cannot go along with KK's evaluation of the
program. Yes, its options are few and inadequate and it lacks the takeback
feature, but you can always use Setup and take back the move you made.  KK says
that the program won't exit setup so that one cannot continue with the game.
This is not true with my version of the program (2.01), you can enter and exit
setup without any problems.  KK also says, and this is probably the most
important thing, that ALEXS is a weak program -- which I found to be untrue too.
 I hesitate to reveal the names of some commercial programs which found
themselves on the receiving end :)) when playing ALEXS... All in all, I found
KK's *four line review* of ALEXS quite superficial and shallow.  I think that
ALEXS is a strong program, with a nice and visually pleasing board, and with
many other features lacking (takeback, book editor and clocks).  However, it's
strength and chess intelligence are pleasing and I believe that almost every
computer chess addict (such as we all are) should find it a worthy addition to
her software collection.  My rough estimate would put ALEXS around 2300
tournament level, and over 2450 blitz on a PII-350. Enclosed is the four line
review presented by KK at www.gambitsoft.com (Section: Komputer Korner Krash
List #7):

"ALEXS- This is a weak playing program with so little number of features
that it is laughable and to take back a move you have to enter setup but
after using setup the program won't exit setup so that you can't continue
with the game. You have to exit the program and reenter."

Regards,
Djordje



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