SaioApp 2.1

Saio (System Artificial Intelligence Othello) represents a leading-edge Othello engine, developed over approximately 15 years by Romano Benedetto, a three-time Italian Othello Champion. It is widely regarded as one of the most powerful engines available in the domain today.

The application is now accessible on iOS devices, offering a comprehensive suite of features for serious enthusiasts and professionals alike:

• Ability to play against the engine with configurable time limits or fixed search depths
• Evaluation of optimal moves and all possible moves
• Display of detailed library values for informed analysis
• Access to a vast archives of WThor games, including all official tournament matches from 1977
• Game archive statistics for in-depth insights
• Study mode allowing analysis of specific players directly on the board
• Regression analysis for comprehensive game reviews
• Endgame tutor mode highlighting key moves and lines to avoid losing
• In-app purchase option for an extensive 8GB library containing 180 million moves and 240,443 draw lines
• Board rotation for flexible viewing angles
• Import of games via move list copied to clipboard
• Export of move sequences for easy sharing in chats or analysis sessions
• Game transcript display for review and study
• Board editing capabilities to modify ongoing positions
• Ability to fix the engine's move line for advanced analysis
• Random selection of XOT openings to diversify practice sessions
• Study mode designed to reinforce opening patterns and sequences
• Gameplay modes featuring varying difficulty levels to accommodate different skill sets
• Middlegame and endgame modes with ranked points and adjustable difficulty levels
• Online ranking features for competitive play in ranked matches

Users who acquire the full library gain additional functionalities:

• Manual or automatic library expansion through a long press (3 seconds) on the library interface
• Expansion of fixed lines within the library
• Automatic filling of unexpanded nodes, enhancing analytical depth
• Option to start from a standard library baseline as needed
• Merging incremental updates into the main library ensures continuous improvement
• Automatic downloading of WThor database updates to stay current with the latest game data

The core engine powering Saio employs state-of-the-art search algorithms within game trees, delivering exceptional move evaluation accuracy. The included Saio app features the first 12 moves from the extensive 8GB library, which has been developed over ten years and is continuously expanded. This comprehensive library enables Saio to virtually never lose a game, adhering to a proprietary datagram algorithm conceived during a Ph.D. thesis titled "How to build a library to never lose a game." Users can explore move values extensively, understanding sequences that are objectively draws, losses, or wins—providing unparalleled insights into Othello strategy.

This platform is explicitly designed for professional players seeking the highest level of engine performance, aiming to outperform all competing engines. Thanks are extended to Alessandro Di Mattei and Paolo Scognamiglio for their support in pioneering SaioApp’s market release, testing, and feature development.

Detailed Ph.D. thesis on Saio’s architecture and algorithms