Download 3-4-5 pieces Syzygy
Syzygy Endgame Tablebases (ETBs) represent a monumental achievement in computer chess, enabling perfect play in endgames with a limited number of pieces remaining on the board. Developed primarily by Ronald de Man, these tablebases provide a precomputed, exhaustive solution for every possible position within specific piece configurations. Unlike chess engines that rely on heuristic evaluation and deep searching, Syzygy bases offer definitive knowledge: they categorically state whether a position is a win, loss, or draw for the player to move, and precisely how many moves it takes to achieve that result (the Distance to Zero, or DTZ).
The core principle involves brute-force calculation. Every single legal position for a given material balance (e.g., King and Queen vs King and Rook) is generated. The outcome of each position (win, loss, draw) and the optimal path (DTZ) is then solved backwards from the final checkmates or stalemates. This creates a vast lookup database. When a supported endgame arises during engine analysis or play, the engine can instantly query the Syzygy files instead of relying solely on its search and evaluation function. This guarantees accuracy within the domain of the tablebase.
Initially covering only endgames with three to five pieces, the scope expanded dramatically. Six-piece tablebases became the practical standard for serious engines. The culmination of this effort, the seven-piece Syzygy tablebases, encompasses all endgames with seven or fewer pieces, including the two kings. This represents the absolute frontier of solved chess endgames, containing positions far beyond human comprehension in complexity. Their existence fundamentally alters how chess engines approach the final phase of the game, providing unassailable truth in positions where traditional engine evaluation might falter or consume excessive time.
