{{Short description|Computer program that plays checkers}} {{More sources needed|date=October 2010}} '''KingsRow''' is a strong checkers and draughts engine. It was released by Ed Gilbert in 2000.
The checkers engine can be used with the CheckerBoard GUI. It is only available as a DLL on Windows since CheckerBoard is a windows-only program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edgilbert.org/EnglishCheckers/KingsRowEnglish.htm |title=KingsRow.htm |website=edgilbert.org |access-date=2023-10-02}}</ref> The engine is available as freeware.
The engine uses neural networks, opening books, and endgame databases.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edgilbert.org/EnglishCheckers/KingsRowEnglish.htm |title=KingsRow.htm |website=edgilbert.org |access-date=2023-10-02}}</ref>
==History== In the only Computer Checkers World Championship, KingsRow took second place behind Nemesis.
KingsRow was stronger than Cake++ in the early years. Cake++ finally caught up with KingsRow and gradually became stronger. It competed a 624-game match against Cake++ on Thanksgiving 2004; Cake++ won 3 to 1, with 620 games ending in a draw.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edgilbert.org/Checkers/KingsRow.htm#:~:text=11/28/2004%3A%C2%A0%20Cake%20wins%20the%20long%20CheckerBoard%20engine%20match!%20Cake%20won%20a%20624%2Dgame%20computer%20checkers%20match%20against%20Kingsrow%20by%20a%20score%20of%20%2B3%20%2D1%20%3D%20620.%C2%A0%20The%20match%20games%20can%20be%20downloaded%20here.%20Details%20of%20the%20match%20announcement%20are%20here. |title=Kingsrow |website=edgilbert.org |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref> As of 2023, KingsRow is better than Cake.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fierz.ch/cake.php#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20looking%20for%20something%20even%20better%2C%20then%20use%20Ed%20Gilbert%27s%20KingsRow%20engine |title=Cake |website=fierz.ch |access-date=2023-09-20}}</ref> On July 17, 2005, Ed Gilbert completed building a 10-piece endgame database for use with KingsRow.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edgilbert.org/EnglishCheckers/10-pieceBuild.htm |title=Kingsrow |website=edgilbert.org |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref> It had a size of 214 GB, but in July 2016 it was reduced to 102 GB using better compression techniques. KingsRow supports WLD (win/loss/draw), DTW (depth to win), and MTC (depth to conversion) endgame databases.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edgilbert.org/EnglishCheckers/KingsRowEnglish.htm |title=KingsRow.htm |website=edgilbert.org |access-date=2023-10-02}}</ref>
A version for Italian checkers with a nine-piece endgame tablebase is available, too.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://edgilbert.org/ItalianCheckers/KingsRowItalian.htm |title=Kingsrow Italian |website=edgilbert.org |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref>
== 10x10 version == A 10x10 version of KingsRow was started in 2007. In 2009, an eight-piece endgame tablebase was finished. KingsRow won the Unofficial World Championship of Computer Programs in International Draughts 2023.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uwccpi2023.draughtsprograms.eu/tournament_table_acc_places.html |title=The Unofficial World Championship Of Computer Programs In International Draughts 2023 |website=uwccpi2023.draughtsprograms.eu |access-date=2023-10-01}}</ref> As of 2023, it is considered one of the best 10x10 draughts programs together with Damage, Scan, and Ares.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[http://edgilbert.org/Checkers/KingsRow.htm KingsRow Webpage] *[http://edgilbert.org/ItalianCheckers/KingsRowItalian.htm KingsRow Italian] *[http://edgilbert.org/InternationalDraughts/download_links.htm KingsRow International]
Category:Computer draughts players Category:2000 software
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