Hi,
I've looked around for advice on setting up scidvspc to play as a computer opponent and the advice is usually geared toward analysis. I just want to play it as an opponent. I'm guessing here, but I'm around 1300-1500 based on games I've played online. I'd like scidvspc to play at a high level and challenge me. The default settings were too easy.
My question is, how can I configure a strong player in scidvspc? I have stockfish, komodo, toga, phalanx, etc. as options.
Here are the UCI settings that are available with Stockfish 16, the engine I'm using. Also, if it matters, I'm on linux:
Threads: 1 (it's a higher end AMD laptop w/16 cores, 96GB ram)
Hash memory:512
Ponder: True
Multiple variations: 1
Skill Level: 20
Limit ELO strength: false
UCI_Elo: 1320
... and about 20 other settings.
Now, changing these settings usually results in pretty wild swings, prolly cuz I don't know what I'm doing. I don't need it to play other engines, or analyze to the nth degree, I just want it to beat me by a margin, but not crush me all the time. Logic would dictate that upping threads and memory would tax the system, as would depth (think runaway process), but I'm unsure of what that means in terms of playing strength. Skill level? 20 is max. UCI_Elo sounds like the most promising, but just setting it and messing with the others seems doomed to failure as I then crush it and look on in complete wonder as it leaves rooks or queens hanging :).
So, I'm hoping somebody knows how to get it to play like an A player or Expert, good enough to kick my ass, but not Magnus Carlsen level and not have my fans blowing at 100%.
Thanks!
Will
Scid vs. PC <--> Engine communication log file (engine 3)
Engine: Stockfish17
Command: /.scidvspc/stockfish-17-x86-64-avx2
Arguments:
Directory: /app/bin
Date: 30 May 2025
Note: First line from engine seen; sending it initial commands now.
Scid : uci
Engine: Stockfish 17 by the Stockfish developers (see AUTHORS file)
Engine: uciok
Scid : isready
Engine: readyok
Scid : position startpos
Scid : go infinite
Engine: info string ERROR: Network evaluation parameters compatible with the engine must be available.
Engine: info string ERROR: The network file nn-1111cefa1111.nnue was not loaded successfully.
Engine: info string ERROR: The UCI option EvalFile might need to specify the full path, including the directory name, to the network file.
Engine: info string ERROR: The default net can be downloaded from: https://tests.stockfishchess.org/api/nn/nn-1111cefa1111.nnue
Engine: info string ERROR: The engine will be terminated now.
Note: Engine terminated without warning.
Note: Engine terminated without exit code: "\"$standard_error\""
A solution for me: Rather than just using the file without nnue, I moved the complete directory with all the nnue with it. I could have placed it in my documents folder too. It probably would have done the same thing.
/home/linux/.var/app/net.sourceforge.scidvspc.scidvspc/.scidvspc/engines/stockfish/
Have you tried weaker engines that Lucas Chess has in it's directory. That might be a simpler solution.
/LucasChessR/bin/OS/linux/Engines
For stockfish try these settings
Skill Level: 10
Limit ELO strength: true
UCI_Elo: 1500
Leave the rest in default.
For every core you have on your PC you can probably increase your Hash by 192.
I have 4 core/ 4 threads (3C/4T) so I set mine at 4x192 = 768
I discovered the value by nodes/second.
stockfish
speedtest 4
https://official-stockfish.github.io/docs/stockfish-wiki/UCI-&-Commands.html#speedtest
speedtest 4
info string Using 4 threads
Warmup position 3/3
Position 258/258
===========================
Version : Stockfish dev-20250521-e03898b5
Compiled by : g++ (GNUC) 11.4.0 on Linux
Compilation architecture : x86-64-bmi2
Compilation settings : 64bit BMI2 AVX2 SSE41 SSSE3 SSE2 POPCNT
Compiler __VERSION__ macro : 11.4.0
Large pages : yes
User invocation : speedtest 4
Filled invocation : speedtest 4 512 150
Available processors : 0-3
Thread count : 4
Thread binding : none
TT size [MiB] : 512
Hash max, avg [per mille] :
single search : 37, 16
single game : 527, 334
Total nodes searched : 322455221
Total search time [s] : 153.653
Nodes/second : 2098593
Look at the file invocation and the Nodes/second.
Increase the 512 and see if the nodes/second increases, if it does than continue to increase your hash until it does not. If your do not monitor your ram usage than don't use more than 50% of your hardware ram.
Run the test will different size of Hash and you will see the difference in ... Hash max, avg [per mille]
Reducing the hash to 15 gave practically full hash for almost the entire duration of the test. Which is not what you want.
User invocation : speedtest 4 16
Filled invocation : speedtest 4 16 150
Available processors : 0-3
Thread count : 4
Thread binding : none
TT size [MiB] : 16
Hash max, avg [per mille] :
single search : 794, 366
single game : 1000, 994
Total nodes searched : 325545590
Total search time [s] : 153.602
Nodes/second : 2119409
I am surprised that you found the default settings too easy. Skill level 20 is the strongest. Are you sure at skill 20, you find it easy? Have you by any chance set something else like nodes?
Also, you have Limit strength false, so the Elo 1320 doesn't apply.
On linux, if you want to just quickly play games without the overload of scidvspc, try xboard. It opens instantly, and you can start a game in seconds. If you are interested I can send you my settings (.xboardrc file or parts of it).
I have used SCID vs PC for years. The engine interface is clunky and non-intuitive. But you can get it done. You may wish to consider using a different engine. There are many that work with SCID vs PC.
Shredder Classic is worth a look. It is a UCI engine. You can get a free download that works for 30 days. Shredder has a long history at the highest levels. At one time it was considered to be well ahead of the pack in endgame play.
https://www.shredderchess.com/
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