| Developer(s) | Robert Houdart |
|---|---|
| Initial release | May 15, 2010 |
| Stable release | 2.0c / November 20, 2011 |
| Written in | C++ |
| Operating system | Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Chess engine |
| Website | www.cruxis.com/chess/houdini.htm |
Houdini is a chess engine for Windows, by Belgian programmer Robert Houdart. Free for non-commercial use (through version 1.5a), later versions are not free. Since the release of version 1.5 on 15 December 2010, it has taken the top spot in every rating list that includes it.[1][2][3][4][5] When GM Peter Svidler was asked which one player he would choose to represent Earth in a hypothetical match against aliens, he answered "Houdini".[6]
According to the author: "The name Houdini was chosen because of the engine's positional style, its tenacity in difficult positions and its ability to defend stubbornly and escape with a draw – sometimes by the narrowest of margins. On the other hand Houdini will often use razor-sharp tactics to deny its opponents escape routes when it has the better position".[7] The author lists open source engines IPPOLIT/RobboLito (UCI engines), Stockfish (UCI engine), and Crafty (WinBoard engine) as major influences, but Houdini is a closed source UCI engine.
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Houdini works in 32-bit and 64-bit OS, gaining 30% speed in 64-bit, and supports multi-core systems. As other UCI engines, it comes with no GUI, so a chess GUI is essential for running the engine. Houdini implements an advanced alpha-beta search and uses bitboard and Late Move Reductions, among other things. Houdini has Gaviota tablebases support since version 1.5.
Houdini 2 has a strength limit feature - from 0 (beginner) to 100 (full strength), is more user-friendly in analysis, has position learning, supports Chess960 games and is available in NUMA-aware version for high-end, multi-socket servers.
Houdini 2 was released on September 2, 2011. According with the info provided at the official web, Houdini 2 (Standard version, up to six cores and 4 GB of for a hash table) is about 25 Elo stronger than Houdini 1.5a, while Houdini 2 (Pro version, up to 32 cores and 32 GB of hash) is about 40 Elo stronger than Houdini 1.5ab-16. (A special compilation of Houdini 1.5a for up to 16 cores could be acquired if the client makes a donation for Houdini project.)
Houdini 2 also incorporates a "Mate Search" function that helps to solve long mates faster than without this option.