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Ultima. Game where each type of piece has a different capturing ability. Also called Baroque. (8x8, Cells: 64) (Recognized!)[All Comments] [Add Comment or Rating]
Roberto Lavieri wrote on Thu, Jun 16, 2005 01:10 PM EDT:
I Have not seen Computer Ultima Tournaments. In fact, I have seen only a few engines that are capable of play Ultima. There is at least one Zillions of Games ZRF which plays it, but it is relatively weak. Greg Strong´s CHESS V plays better, and it is an excellent contendor for an experienced average player, although I can not say it plays at extremely high levels. It plays, I think, with an approximate rating between 2000-2200, if you can translate FIDE ELO to Ultima in some manner. If you have not tried CHESS V, you can mail Greg Strong, an active member of this site. I have not seen other efforts looking for stronger programs. On the other hand, Ultima is relatively 'popular' between humans in certain circles, most in Universities, and it is played in many places around the world, but not as Chess, of course, the difference in popularity is, say, 2000 to 1 or more. It should be interesting seeing Computer Tournaments, but I think it needs sponsors and prizes, and I do not know if there is interest enough on it. Some variants in this site are very interesting too: Rococo, Maxima, Fugue and Toccata, by example, are 'evolutive' consequences of Ultima, but much less known by the people. There are Zillions of Games ZRF´s for all these games, but they are not very strong.