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REBEL 11.0 review

by Jeff LaHue

o INTRODUCTION
+ POSITIVES
- ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
* CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION


o REBEL 11.0 PACKAGE INTRODUCTION

Although the various program and engine names can be confusing at first glance, the bottom line is that the REBEL 11.0 package includes multiple unique programs. One installation is for REBEL TIGER II: a Windows application which includes the Chess Tiger 13.0 Engine, the Gambit Tiger 1.0 Engine, and a Lokasoft standard Chess Engine LCHESS 4.0.0.3 . A separate installation is for the DOS application REBEL CENTURY 3.0 (which also can be launched as a DOS application in Windows.) Engine choices within REBEL CENTURY 3.0 include: CENTURY 3.0, REBEL 9.0, REBEL 8.0, REBEL 7.0, and REBEL DECADE. As an added bonus, REBEL 11.0 also includes the REBEL CENTURY 2.01 Engine as an analysis module for Rebel Tiger II. The CD also includes a database of hundreds of thousands of games and access to the on-line REBEL CENTURY subscription area where you can download additional games, opening books, and more.

A big plus is Schröder B.V.’s customer support and dedication toward continually improving their programs.


+ POSITIVES

REBEL CENTURY 3.0: Great options and configurability mark this program. REBEL has been known as one of the most human-like programs ever created. REBEL has performed very well against the likes of SuperGrandmaster Vishy Anand and other Grandmasters, yet you can still adjust its strength down to your own level (via ELO settings, unique personality and flexible engine settings, time settings, opening book option, Club Player option, and more.)

Although REBEL CENTURY is a DOS program, it does feature a great deal of configurability with various layouts, user Interface menus, Define Buttons options, and more. REBEL CENTURY 3.0 includes a wide variety of opening books including the latest moves tuned by REBEL's well-respected opening book specialist Jeroen Noomen.

The new REBEL CENTURY 3.0 feature CAT (Computer Analysis Tree) database will impress power users who always seek to increase the knowledge of the program.

REBEL TIGER II: This program features a nice native Windows application for multi-tasking ease, handy built-in Internet Console Server Capability, and built-in Auto232 capability for power users. With the inclusion of a Chess Tiger engine, a Gambit Tiger engine (whose attacking style is presently all the rage among serious computer chess enthusiasts), an earlier Lokasoft engine, and a Winboard engine adapter (enabling you to add many more engines)--you will never be at risk of this program always playing the same style!


- ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

REBEL CENTURY 3.0: As much as I am generally satisfied with the REBEL DOS interface and how well it runs as a DOS application in Windows, a native Windows version of CENTURY will be welcomed by many. I look forward to a fix for the REBEL Simultaneous play function which hasn't been working in the recent CENTURY programs. Note also the known bugs of the Analyze Exclude and Analyze Database options sometimes crashing the program. Neither REBEL CENTURY 3.0 nor REBEL TIGER II presently offer endgame tablebase support.

REBEL TIGER II: Today's chess engines have become so strong that many users' first keystrokes are in search of "easy" level settings. REBEL TIGER II's "Step 1 Level for Beginners" is 2 seconds per move. Running on today's fast machines, that is still more than enough computation time for the Tiger to rip most mortals to shreds. So, REBEL TIGER II could use refined weakening capabilities to let non-masters compete against it. Although most serious computer chess users seldom if ever use a 3D board (REBEL CENTURY doesn't even have one), REBEL TIGER's 3D board could be improved. The 3D pieces currently lack scale (a first rank piece is displayed as the same size as one on the eighth.)


* CONCLUSION/RECOMMENDATION

For those seeking a stronger-than-ever REBEL program with excellent level-adjusting and analytical capabilities, REBEL CENTURY 3.0 fits the bill. For those seeking a Windows interface with multiple engines and net server console capability, REBEL TIGER II is the way to go. Since REBEL 11.0 contains REBEL CENTURY 3.0 as well as REBEL TIGER II, you get the best of both worlds. In light of these present programs being so distinct, it will be very interesting to see what happens when REBEL CENTURY itself becomes a native Windows application. In the meantime, the REBEL 11.0 package deserves your most serious consideration.