Shredder
We live in a world where the most accurate chess is played by chess engines—that is no secret. Among the strongest commercial chess engines is Shredder. Let's learn more about this powerful engine.
Here is what you need to know about Shredder:
What Is Shredder?
Shredder is a commercial chess engine, meaning that it can be purchased and used by anyone. The engine and graphical user interface were created by Stefan Meyer-Kahlen in Germany in 1993. It is one of the longest-standing and successful chess engines still on the market. According to Shredder's website, it has won 19 titles as World Computer Chess Champion.
It is one of only a handful of engines that is available on virtually all major platforms. It can be purchased and used on Mac OS, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and even on the Amazon Kindle.
Shredder Accomplishments
As mentioned, Shredder has won 19 titles as World Computer Chess Champion—an incredible achievement. Shredder won the Micro Computer World Championship in 1996, 1999, 2000, and 2001.
It won the Computer Blitz World Championship in 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, and 2013. Shredder also won the World Computer Chess Software Championship in 2010, 2015, and 2017. Shredder is truly a decorated chess engine.
Shredder Games
Here are two game examples of Shredder's play from the 2008 Computer World Championship that was held in Beijing.
In this first game, we see Shredder on the black side of a very sharp line of the King's Indian Defense that involves opposite-side castling. It sacrifices a pawn in the early middlegame with 10...b5, and its attack is merciless. Shredder checkmates the white king in the middle of the board.
This second game displays Shredder's ability to play ultra-precise endgames. The engine gets a stable but small advantage in the early middlegame and holds it throughout. One might expect the engine with the black pieces to hold a draw in the opposite-colored bishop-and-rook endgame that starts after 59.dxe6+, but Shredder's endgame technique is surgical.
Conclusion
You now know what Shredder is, why it is considered one of the best chess engines in the world, and more. Head over to Chess.com/ccc to watch top engines battle for the Computer Chess Championship at any time on any day!
