Chess Openings Wizard – Program Versions

Chess Openings Wizard is constantly under development to stay current with new engines, best practices, new versions of Windows, Macintosh, iPhone, iPad, and Android, and the ideas from players who use it every day.

That said, it is risky to make the bug list available to the public. The vast majority of software publishers keep their bug list private so as not to discourage new purchases who might assume that the software has too many problems because everything known about the program is in this list.

Rest assured, Chess Openings Wizard is used by more than 66,000 chess players.

I publish our bug list because:

Thanks.

Mike Leahy, The Database Man!

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The most recent builds of Professional and Express contain these changes:

There are currently no free trial versions of Chess Openings Wizard.

If you are using a version prior to 2016, here are the top ten reasons to upgrade.

Chess Openings Wizard Program	Latest Build	Released
Professional Windows	Build 181	November 16, 2023
Professional Macintosh	Build 182	November 17, 2023
Express Windows	Build 175	April 14, 2023
Express Macintosh	Build 179	November 11, 2023
iPad and iPhone	Build 65	November 5, 2023
Android	Build 66	November 6, 2023
COW Engine Server for Windows	Build 8	November 12, 2018
COW Engine Server for Macintosh	Build 9	November 19, 2018

Changed in build 182 COW Professional for Macintosh

Build 182 replaced build 180.

This build adds blindfold mode to the training wizard.

The copying and pasting of engine analysis into the comments was improved by adding a new line to the comments so that grabbing engine analysis a second time creates a new paragraph.

Changed in build 181 COW Professional for Windows

Build 181 replaced build 176.

This build adds blindfold mode to the training wizard.

The copying and pasting of engine analysis into the comments was improved by adding a new line to the comments so that grabbing engine analysis a second time creates a new paragraph.

Changed in build 180 COW Professional for Macintosh

Build 180 replaced build 177.

Added Google Drive support.

Added Stockfish 16.

Changed in build 179 COW Express for Macintosh

Build 179 replaced build 178.

Added support for Google Drive.

Added Stockfish 16.

Changed in build 178 COW Express for Macintosh

Build 178 replaced build 174.

Fixed issues with Mac OS Sonoma and HiPDI 4K displays.

Changed in build 177 COW Professional for Macintosh

Build 177 replaced build 171.

Fixed issues with Mac OS Sonoma and HiPDI 4K displays.

Changed in build 176 COW Professional for Windows

Build 176 replaced build 168.

Added Google Drive support.

Added Stockfish 16.

Updated online help.

Changed in build 175 COW Express for Windows

Fixed 140MB Dropbox limitation.

COW build 175 replaced build 162.

Fixed bug that failed to store diagram arrows.

Changed in build 174 COW Express for Macintosh

COW build 174 replaced build 166.

Uses Stockfish 15.1 and includes separate engines for Intel and Silicon Macs.

Fixed 140MB Dropbox limitation.

Fixed bug that failed to store diagram arrows.

Fixed F8 and Go menu to go back one ply.

Changed in build 168 COW Pro for Windows

COW build 168 replaced build 160.

Uses Stockfish 15.1.

Fixed menu command to go back one ply (also F8 function key).

Fixed 140MB Dropbox limitation.

Changed in build 162, 166

COW Express adds the ability to play back multimedia (made by the Professional version). It also adds diagram marks (dots and X’s on squares and arrows in four colors) accessed by right clicking on the diagram.

COW Express Macintosh uses Stockfish 15.

Changes in build 160, 161

COW adds functions to the Commands menu. You can synchronize the Informant symbols to match the engine analysis. You can mine for novelties by searching for positions where the Informant symbol does not agree with the numeric assessment from the engine.

COW Pro Build 160 for Windows replaces build 157.
Build 161 for Macintosh replaces build 156.

Changes in build 156, 157

COW now runs natively on Macs with M1 Silicon chips. It is fully tested through Monterey 12.1.

COW is well tested on Windows 10 and 11.

Introduces multimedia recording (diagram marks synchronized to recorded audio), arrows for the engine’s best move, and static diagram marks (circles and arrows on the diagram). The arrows can be four different colors. Marking squares includes using an X. The key strokes (Ctrl, Alt, Shift) match those of lichess.

Matching updates for iPhone, iPad, and Android phones and tablets are coming. We’ll start with opening the newer format ebooks and then later add more support for multimedia.

The data format changed from build 137 onward to accommodate multimedia recording. With that, the default folder for ebooks is now “Chess Openings Wizard” in the Documents folder.

Bugs were fixed, including the correct restoration of chosen diagram settings such as custom square colors.

The Windows installer no long installs the sample ebooks which in the past caused confusion when the app was installed by a Windows admin account. The app now installs the sample ebooks.

The Macintosh DMG is now compressed and downloads in one third the time.

Stockfish 14.1 is included with the Windows version and the Macintosh version.

Minor bugs were fixed and many small improvements were made.

Changes in build 136

Replaces build 128 Professional for Macintosh.

Adds the new Foley function which automatically compares your repertoire to the recent games of any lichess player in just a few seconds. Video instruction here

This includes the killer Foley function detailed below.

Changes in build 132

Replaces build 127 Professional for Windows.

Fixes a problem dealing with PGN files containing incorrect sub variations that would cause PGN imports to freeze.

Adds the new Foley function which automatically compares your repertoire to the recent games of any lichess player in just a few seconds. Video instruction here

Allows lichess players to prepare against an online opponent by comparing how they played their last 100 games with your repertoire (as well as view individual games by any lichess player). Also allows the download of your games in PGN or the games of any player.

Changes in build 126, 127, 128, 129

Replaces build 119 and 123 Express.

Build 128 replaces build 117 Professional for Macintosh.

The last played lichess game of any player can be instantly imported into your chosen repertoire ebook, automatically fast forwarded to the novelty from that game.

The default engine is Stockfish 12 in Windows (still Stockfish 10 on Mac).
The engine analysis appears in figurine notation (like the candidate moves).
The old limitation of 255 characters for file paths has been lifted.
The program now stores its settings in an .INI file.
The training wizard now allows you to set a maximum move number, allowing you to limit through move 9 for example.
The Training Wizard setup window has a new Help button.
Fixed the Go menu’s Jump to Next and Jump to Previous named positions.
The limit of 100 imported plies was lifted to 500 (allowing 250 move games).
You can suppress duplicate comments from imported PGN games.
PGN import adds hyphens to game dates (2020-09-15 rather than 20200915).
Ctrl+Alt+T starts training immediately with the current settings by selecting Commands | Train Now.
Games | Find Games with this Move Order... now automatically fills in the move order with the line in the active ebook.
The app will ask your permission to overwrite an existing file when downloading a matching file from Dropbox.

Changes in build 123

This is an Express build for Mac. It has all the changes since build 107 plus it uses figurine notation in the engine analysis.

It will load the settings from build 107, the last released version.

It is, of course, Catalina friendly.

It fixes a problem with the menu items that load the next and previous board names in endgame and tactics puzzle ebooks.

It will run Stockfish 12. However, that engine could not be included in this update due to Apple security issues with “hardened runtimes.”

Aesthetic changes were made so that certain large numbers had commas, and certain messages would not word wrap.

Changes in build 120

Replaces build 104 for Macintosh. Includes all improvements in builds 115-199.

Changes in build 119

Replaces build 93.

The Games | Select Game… option now correctly goes to the list of searched games.

Candidates moves that match the moves of the loaded game (in the Game window) are marked with a ‘G‘.

Build 119 Express now supports algebraic hints in the diagrams.

When pasting in a PGN game, the game is also loaded into the Game window (as well as adding the moves to the ebook).

Changes in build 115, 116, 117

A shortcut key was added for grabbing (copying and pasting) engine analysis.

A bug was fixed that affected large PGN imports (more than 30,000 games at one time).

A bug was fixed that sometimes hindered loading more than 2,000 named positions.

Changes in build 113

The program now checks to see if there is an update available.

Backsolving fixes a bug when a line is added with a blank Informant rate.

Changes in build 112

Diagram can have algebraic hints in the frame.

Backsolving fixes a bug when the only candidate’s Informant rate symbol is blank and the setting to ignore blank rates is checked.

A check box option to ignore blank rates was added to the program settings (for real time backsolving).

Bug fixed that did not allow the first move of a named position (from tactics or endgame puzzles) to be added to a speed learning set.

Backsolved rate and numeric assessment are instantly updated when program settings are changed (to ignore blank rates for example).

Build 112 looks for the settings from build 92 and uses them if it can, saving the headache of starting over with default settings.

Changes in build 104, 107

Support for MacOS Catalina was added.

Changes in build 91, 93, 94, 95

Dropbox support has been added. Choose Dropbox… from the File menu. Click the help button in the Dropbox window for more information.

New sample ebooks are included.

Stockfish 10 64bit is the new default engine.

$GAME$ error fixed when opening ebooks by clicking on them. (Windows)

Fixes “top candidate only” bug seen in some Windows 10 machines. (Windows)

Changes in build 87, 88

The MacOS Mojave issue is fixed. (The popup to edit candidate moves would disappear.)

New sample ebooks are included.

Stockfish 10 is the new default chess engine.

Changes in build 80 and 81

For Macintosh, the DMG file delivering the app is now “signed” and the app no longer stores the product key inside the app which should make Apple’s new version of

Gatekeeper happy. Gatekeeper in some cases would quarantine the Chess Openings Wizard app causing it to fail to open the Pedigree and ECO code databases.

A shortcut key of Control-Option-R on Macintosh and Ctrl-Alt-R on Windows will allow an ebook to be reset to its default settings and sizes. This is helpful if an ebook opens but is completely off the screen due to removing an extra monitor.

Changes in build 69, 75

The diagram settings are correctly saved.

A new option to remove the diagram’s frame was added.

Added arrows to show the last move made (optional).

Fixed issues with garbled diagrams when opening new windows on Windows 10 (certain graphics drivers).

Changes in build 67, 68

The size of the candidate moves can be adjusted.

The Pedigree ribbon is oriented sideways so that it is easier to compare different candidates.

The diagram prompts for underpromotions when moving a pawn to the eighth rank.

The correct promotion piece is drawn when clicking a candidate move that promotes a piece.

The program is smarter about saving the state of windows, including moving an ebook to and from  Windows/Macintosh and to and from computers that have multiple monitors.

More shortcut keys have been added to the menus. (Leif W, Stephen K)

Speed Learning was added. (YouTube video here)

Bug with board names longer than 41 characters fixed.

The selected square no longer stays selected when dragging a piece.

The maximums for nodes in EPD analysis to 2,000 (which is in millions of nodes) and 1,000,000 for seconds. (suggested by Bogg)

Changes in prior versions	Resolution	Spotter	Pro Express
Font size of comments can be adjusted.	Changed in build 60, 70		PE
More shortcut keys have been added.	Added in build 62		P
Speed learning added	Added in build 62 Pro		P
Mac and Windows default to high speed piece movement.	Changed in build 62 and beyond		PE
Piece speed and diagram type (square color, font, etc) can be adjusted.	Changed in build 60		P

Bugs

Suggestions

Description	Sponsor	Importance	Projection
Have the training wizard ask whether to reset training in the current set of played positions when a new candidate move is added.	Mike L.	low
Improve scrolling of menu items on touchscreens	Gregg S.	low
Add a way to have Stockfish add candidates that improve on existing candidates. When adding a new candidate, have the resulting position assessed by the engine for backsolving.	Ron T.	low
If the ebook has Black at bottom, have the setup new position window also have Black at bottom.	Ken W.	low	fixed in build 183
Add training settings that would Continue If User Has a Candidate Marked {red, yellow, green} Stop If Computer Would Play a Candidate Marked {red, yellow, green}	Greg U.	low
Add themes, color choices for window backgrounds.	Wane I.	low
Allow multiple Dropbox files to be uploaded at once.	Kent O.	low
Have the novelty finder add the engine’s best move, even if it’s not a leaf node.	Ron T.	low
Add back the ability to mirror and reverse the color of a position	Jeremy F.	low
Import ChessBase MyMove repertoire	Richard C.	low
Support separate numeric assessments (manually assigned and backsolved) which will expose blunders in games that would otherwise be backsolved by the leaf node.	Stephen R.	low
Add more colors for diagram arrows, square marks	Stephen R.		done
Add back option to use regular letters for notation	Anthony	Low
Bring back Speed Learning storage sets with “right, wrong, skipped” results (prior to 2016)	Stephen R.	Low
Allow PGN to import comments only for existing positions	James C.	Low
Add optional sound effects for the movement of the pieces	Ernesto D.	Low
Allow PGN import to ignore [% commands	Mike L.	Low
Add back saving the diagram to a BMP	Ray B.	Low
Allow precise RGB values for board colors	Michael T.	Low
Allow texture choices for board squares	Michael T.	Low
Add dark mode theme	Al M.	Medium
Refocus candidate move pane after using VCR buttons so that arrow keys work more often	Albert S. Mike W.	Medium
Add limit to the number of moves trained	Pete Z.	Medium	Added in build 124
Add button “restart training” to restart the last session with the exact same settings	Pete Z.	Medium	Added in build 124
Add auto update using Inno Setup’s /SP- /silent /noicons “/dir=expand:{pf}\My Program”	Mike L.	Low
Have engine pause when EPD analysis finishes	Hud D.	Low
Add magic hand to training mode	Mike L.	Low
Add the C.A.P. databank (aka “Joy of Chess”)	Steven K.	Low
Add algebraic hints to the borders of diagrams	Adolfo P. P. Clive D. Mike W.	Low	Done
Add 3D chess board	Ron T.	Low
Have the Enter key handle OK buttons.	Jacques P.	Low
Add back the ECO printing function	Gerald G, Jim R, Calvin C. Randy S.	Low
Add move guessing to the diagram (clicking on ‘to’ square) as in ChessBase.	Jacques P.
Add a way to play a game against the engine from any position.	Jeremy
Have EPD engine analysis ignore nodes when set to zero.	Bogg	Low
Add option to Backsolving to ignore blank numeric assessments	Bogg	Low
Add Speed Testing	Jim G	High
Add Pro function to export lines as individual games (as in legacy)	Bolvar G Valet W	Medium	Done
Add candidate font size adjustment to Express Mac version (Windows done)	Serge D, Tom R	High	Done
Fix Find Games with this move order (Express version)	Tom R	High
Add command to synchronize Informant symbols based on numeric assessments (Pro version)	sagisag	Medium	Done
Add command to Show All Move Orders (Pro and Express versions)	Amoranemix, Michel L.	Medium
Program will run two instances, creating error messages for the shared $GAME$ database.	Sandy S.	Medium	Fixed in build 91
Program has to be killed with task manager if it cannot open an ebook from the last session.	Randy M	Medium	Fixed
Add ability to select multiple PGN files for import	Steve S	Medium
Add arrows and square highlights	Mike L. and others	Low	Added in build 141
Add rate symbol synchronization with numeric assessments with ranges higher than 100 for ++–	Ron T.	Medium	Added in build 158
Option to eliminate “Load Next Named Position” window when training	Hud D.	Low