PicoChess v3.4 Bookworm Images [18 Aug 2025]
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RandyR
Aug 18, 2025, 10:08:37 PMAug 18
to PicoChess
Hi everyone,
Welcome to Dirk's PicoChess v3.4. I have updated my images to incorporate some additional engines from Dirk that you may have read about in his recent posts and some updated engine compiles.
In particular, there is Dirk's port of Chess-Transformers from MIT with the models already downloaded and included, hence the increase image size (only available in the Desktop image). Leela Chess Zero has been updated to v0.33.0-dev and expanded to include Dirk's human-like 'personalities', and split into separate 'engines' to make it easier to find what you are looking for (in reality, they are all symbolic links to Lc0 so you will see Lc0 in the web interface if using that). The original Lc0 is there [Lc0 v0.33.0] with the standard 4 levels (1-4 cores) but you will notice additional levels consisting of Mean Girl, Bad Gyal, Good Gyal, Evil Gyal and Tiny Gyal for some interesting play. You will also now have 3 further flavours of Lc0 called [Lc0 Classic], [Lc0 Elitev2] and [Lc0 Maia 3], each with their own unique levels. The original Maia is still there [Maia 0.33.0] - also just Lc0 in disguise - with the original Elo levels of 1100 to 1900, but also now with 2 additional levels, 2200 and 2500, for the stronger players.
Patricia is now at v5. ShashChess 39 is now included. MAME has been updated to v0.279. Dirk's port of the 1978 Chess 05 script engine is included. Finally, the Chess System Tal Windows engine by Ed Schröder and Martin Bryant has been added to the Desktop image (only possible with Dirk's updated PicoChess code).
Accordingly, the python code has been updated with Dirk's latest v3.4 enhancements. A huge thanks to him for temporarily coming out of coding retirement and indulging my suggestion of allowing the clock to show a game-,Fischer-, or move-time even though the engine level may be actually using limited nodes or depth (via the .uci file when the engine is selected) and paying no attention to the Time at all. Just remember that if you make any selection in the Time menu after the engine and level have been selected, it will override those level settings if the levels set nodes or depth in their entries in the .uci files (e.g., the Lc0 family). To go back to the intended level setting just re-select the engine and level from the Engine menu.
It should be noted that I currently don't have access to my stock DGTPi so I have not been able to test the Lite image, but I don't expect any issues. It is also why the Chess Transformer engine was not included - I couldn't verify if it would reasonably run on the stock DGTPi. Note that the Desktop archive includes instructions on installing the Desktop image on a DGTPi, but I'm not sure the performance on a stock DGTPi would make the effort worth it.
One caveat - when you load certain engines, particularly Chess Transformer or perhaps a Windows engine, please be patient. It may take quite a long time to load, even on a Pi 4.
Here are the links:
Welcome to Dirk's PicoChess v3.4. I have updated my images to incorporate some additional engines from Dirk that you may have read about in his recent posts and some updated engine compiles.
In particular, there is Dirk's port of Chess-Transformers from MIT with the models already downloaded and included, hence the increase image size (only available in the Desktop image). Leela Chess Zero has been updated to v0.33.0-dev and expanded to include Dirk's human-like 'personalities', and split into separate 'engines' to make it easier to find what you are looking for (in reality, they are all symbolic links to Lc0 so you will see Lc0 in the web interface if using that). The original Lc0 is there [Lc0 v0.33.0] with the standard 4 levels (1-4 cores) but you will notice additional levels consisting of Mean Girl, Bad Gyal, Good Gyal, Evil Gyal and Tiny Gyal for some interesting play. You will also now have 3 further flavours of Lc0 called [Lc0 Classic], [Lc0 Elitev2] and [Lc0 Maia 3], each with their own unique levels. The original Maia is still there [Maia 0.33.0] - also just Lc0 in disguise - with the original Elo levels of 1100 to 1900, but also now with 2 additional levels, 2200 and 2500, for the stronger players.
Patricia is now at v5. ShashChess 39 is now included. MAME has been updated to v0.279. Dirk's port of the 1978 Chess 05 script engine is included. Finally, the Chess System Tal Windows engine by Ed Schröder and Martin Bryant has been added to the Desktop image (only possible with Dirk's updated PicoChess code).
Accordingly, the python code has been updated with Dirk's latest v3.4 enhancements. A huge thanks to him for temporarily coming out of coding retirement and indulging my suggestion of allowing the clock to show a game-,Fischer-, or move-time even though the engine level may be actually using limited nodes or depth (via the .uci file when the engine is selected) and paying no attention to the Time at all. Just remember that if you make any selection in the Time menu after the engine and level have been selected, it will override those level settings if the levels set nodes or depth in their entries in the .uci files (e.g., the Lc0 family). To go back to the intended level setting just re-select the engine and level from the Engine menu.
It should be noted that I currently don't have access to my stock DGTPi so I have not been able to test the Lite image, but I don't expect any issues. It is also why the Chess Transformer engine was not included - I couldn't verify if it would reasonably run on the stock DGTPi. Note that the Desktop archive includes instructions on installing the Desktop image on a DGTPi, but I'm not sure the performance on a stock DGTPi would make the effort worth it.
One caveat - when you load certain engines, particularly Chess Transformer or perhaps a Windows engine, please be patient. It may take quite a long time to load, even on a Pi 4.
Here are the links:
Dirk
Aug 19, 2025, 6:01:22 AMAug 19
to PicoChess
Wow - all the bits and bytes you could add are included. I especially like your lc0 flavors as own engine entries!
Thanks Randy!Â
RandyR
Aug 19, 2025, 1:33:05 PMAug 19
to PicoChess
It seems my update MAME (mess) compile got inadvertently left out and the images still contain v0.275. I'll upload corrected images. In the meantime you can manually update using the archive referenced here.
Randy
Andrea Gatti
Aug 20, 2025, 3:02:34 AMAug 20
to PicoChess
Dirk, thank-you so much. I can't wait to test V3.4 on my Pi4.
Have a great day.
Andrea.
Dirk
Aug 20, 2025, 3:56:55 AMAug 20
to PicoChess
You're welcome – but we should really thank Randy for his great feedback during development, and especially for his heroic patience uploading the 3.4 images over an internet connection slower than a sleepy snail...
Thomas
Aug 20, 2025, 6:44:37 AMAug 20
to PicoChess
Thank you, Randy and Dirk!Â
Randy Reade
Aug 20, 2025, 10:50:44 AMAug 20
to pico...@googlegroups.com
After uploading all night I thought it would be done. But it looks like it has a few hours to go. 🥴
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