Tablebase Software

As a growing player, I would like to practice my endgames until I fully understand them and I thought playing against an engine would be a good. If I want to investigate any lines I can always check with the tablebase. So, does anyone know of an easy-to-use and good tablebase software available for free (as many pieces as possible would be best). Thanks!

-Nathan

I've dabbled in endgame tablebases a little. I don't know of any tablebase software that's available; You typically have to find an engine that can handle the tablebase format that you've chosen, then install the engine into a GUI. Then you have to find the tablebase files, download them, then tell the engine where the tablebase files are located.

I've used 5-piece sets of Nalimov, Gaviota, and Syzygy tablebases. The 5-piece sets for the first two will each run somewhere around 7 GB in size. The Syzygy set is much smaller, but it doesn't give distance-to-mate information. Note that the term "5-piece set" means the two kings and three other pieces or pawns.

I've never tried 6-piece sets. They take up much more hard drive space and are harder to find. I'd be happy to give a few more details if you're interested. Maybe someone else here is more of a tablebase guru than I am.

If you have an android phone or tablet, look at HawkChess, in the PlayStore. There is a premium version that costs only $6 or $7 dollars. It includes a link to download the complete endgame tablebases. Heads up! They take up hundreds of mega bytes, and even up to a couple giga bytes. However, this app is awesome, lets you play engine vs engine matches, plug in various engines, (Stockfish free with the app). Play against various engines, and online with FICS. Overall, it's a great Chess app on Android.

The Nalimov tablebases, up to 6 pieces, are online for free:

http://chessok.com/?page_id=361

I think online is the way to go--let someone else provide the disk space!  (Unless of course you need engine integration.)  The same site also provides the 7 piece Lomonosov tablebases, but not for free.

I don't generally like to play against engines but for basic endgame practice it works.  For something like the rook-ending Philidor or Lucena positions which need to be practiced until they are second nature, it's exactly the right tool.