Author: kaqs.1662@bumpymail.com
Date: 09:38:23 07/25/05
I've been an off and on fan of computer chess since about 81. I'm currently going through another phase of interest. I used to read about the old programs, such as Tech, Blitz, CrayBlitz, AWIT, Chess, NuChess, T.Belle / TinkerBelle, etc. etc. All the classics from the 70's and early 80's. Is there anybody collecting these things? I know the answer is "probably not". But I thought I'd mention it. I heard somebody once say that Tony Marsland had a collection, but I don't know if that's true. What about slightly newer chess programs? From the 80's and mid 90's? For example, all the versions of GNU Chess? You'd think those would still be around, but apparently not. (The dynamic nature of the net means that old stuff gets deleted immediately unless somebody makes a point to save history.) What about other programs? Is there anyplace or anybody trying to keep a collection of them? Right off hand, the only old programs that I know of still around are Sargon 1 and Larry Atkin's Chess 0.5. Both from 1978 and both of them are available on the web. Two out of hundreds seems like a loss to computer chess history. I can understand newer programs not being released in source.... [grin] But I'd think for the older ones, from the 70's, 80's and early 90's, the authors would be happy to see them collected and somebody showing interest in their work... It doesn't really matter if they were successful or not. Or if they were really strong or not. Or what language they were in. Or whatever. Just as long as they are being saved....!
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