Miscellaneous Information

Program Limitations:

  • Maximum number of engines running simultaneously : 8
  • Maximum number of installed engines : 20000
  • Maximum number of moves in a game : unlimited
  • Maximum length of a variation in a game : 2000 moves
  • Maximum number of games in a PGN-database: unlimited,
  • depends only on the available memory

Program Files:

  • Arena.exe : The chess GUI, main program file
  • ArenaGUI.cfg : Configuration file of Arena GUI settings
  • ArenaENG.cfg : Configuration file for Arena GUI engine settings
  • Readme\English.chm : Help file in English language
  • Readme\German.chm : Help file in German language
  • Readme\Readme.txt : Hints in English language
  • Readme\Liesmich.txt : Hints in German language
  • Readme\copyright.txt : Copyright Licenses for Arena and the engines
  • Languages\English.lng: English language file
  • bundle.ini : File used for the automated installation of engines in a bundled package
  • engines.ini: File with information about engines, helps Arena installing engines
  • ecocodes9.txt : English opening classification
  • my.txt : Text file for your personal notes
  • timeseal. exe : Used for avoiding lag on internet chess servers
  • timestamp. exe : Like the above, used by chessclub.com
  • accuclck. exe : Like the above, used by chess.net
  • ICSLoginScript.txt : Contains the login script used while logging-in to chess servers

Suggested Folders Under the Root Folder of Arena:

  • Anthems: National anthems to play e.g. if an engine starts
  • Arlokal: Tool for translators for localising Arena
  • Engines: The engines should be installed here, a sub folder for each engine.
  • Flags: National flags
  • Graphics: Graphics for the background, squares etc. of Arena
  • Graphics\Schemes: Graphics for colour schemes
  • Languages: Language files, including English
  • Logos: Engine logo files
  • Readme: Readme file, copyright file, help files
  • Shelf: Folder to save games ("Temp" in main screen)
  • Sounds: Sounds to play at various occasions
  • Speedtest: Files of the Arena Speed Test
  • TB: Tablebases and Gaviota engine
  • Tournaments: Very much recommended folder for your tournament files

Windows Versions:

  • Minimal Version: XP
  • 64 bit: supported, Arena can start 64-bit engines

Wine Versions:

  • Minimum Version: 1.0, newer is better