Dobutsu Shogi and Server Migration
Dobutsu shogi is here and server was migrated to a new location - check out what's new!
Hello, we have another update here! This is going to be shorter than usual, but let's take a look.
Dobutsu Shogi
Since I was focusing more on features to improve the site overall, it's been some time since we got a new variant.
With permission from Ms. Madoka Kitao - the author of Dobutsu shogi, I am happy to announce addition of the most requested variant - Dobutsu shogi.
The rules are easy to explain - capture the opponent's lion! For more details about piece movements, promotions, repetitions, etc. please see the variant page.
Play against computer and local analysis is handled by Fairy-Stockfish. Due to slightly different implementation, server analysis is not supported at this point.
Server Migration
Since Lishogi launched the main server was located in Europe. Unfortunately this led to very high ping and slow response times for users in Japan, rest of East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
As Japan represents the largest portion of the user base, I’ve moved the server to US West. This should provide a better balance for everyone.
Other changes
- Engine play improvements - previously engine would always choose the same opening and play the same initial moves, which resulted in a boring and predictable play. I added a small opening book, which randomly chooses an opening line, making games less deterministic. This doesn't apply to the highest level (8+)
- Fix incorrect ply number in studies not starting from initial position (handicaps for example) - which caused incorrect engine evaluation.
- 6 new piecesets from "amdewitt"
- New pieceset from "Shirovaco"
- Some other small fixes - but not that many this time.
What's next
I want to focus entirely on the app for now, I decided to go a different direction, than I previously planned. Initial progress is usually faster, the final polishing will take more time. But I hope to have something presentable in 3 months.
Therefore till then I will only be fixing important bugs on the site in order to not get distracted by adding new features. This means that some features I promised are going to be delayed - handicap games in lobby, multiple tournament organizers, restarting annulled tournament game from a specific ply and others.
As always I want to thank everyone who supports the site! You make this possible and I'm happy you enjoy the site. Thank you!
Have fun!
Wanderer