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Subject: Re: Deep Fritz won a correspondence game

Author: Jeroen van Dorp

Date: 04:40:23 05/16/01

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On May 15, 2001 at 20:03:14, stuart taylor wrote:

>>Some people might be too snobish to stoop so low as to rely on a computer over
>his own mind.
>Or simply, obstinate and closed-minded as to how good computers can be.


Maybe it's not being snobbish, or denying the excellence of a computer program,
but just missing the fun....

Over at playchess.de a few computer cheaters were discovered, and that while
they have the opportunity to play advanced or even computer chess in a separate
competition.
It showed a guy playing over 130 games with assistance from Fritz, under four
accounts. He must have been busy operating, and he must have liked it, but
(especially because on this site you DO have the opportunity to use a computer
in two other leagues) people STILL use computer assistance in the *only* league
they shouldn't - really spoils MY fun.

Discussing the merits of cheating/computer assistance someone told that blunders
never were a part of correspondence chess. Very true, but the suggestion rises
that all correspondence games should end in a draw, because of no tactical
mistakes.

Not true, as small tactical mistakes - sometimes met with some nice novelties -
*are* a part of correspondence chess. Playing as a human gives you the
possibility to thrive on those weaknesses, and let the opponent stray.

>
>I, actually believe I could beat many computer users through intelligent use of
>the same programs. But It takes a great amount of time and effort. But on wings.
>(using the computer is like adding wings).


With today's computer chess programs, you have to rely on 'horizon effects,
unfavourable 'closed position', 'anti-computer play', almost completely
"removing" the game of chess against a human. It's very well possible to draw or
beat a computer program when you're at a higher level in correspondence chess.

Your analogy "adding wings" gives the problem (for me) of legalizing "computer
cheating" in correspondence chess a face: people in high jump trying to jump as
high as possible with their body are allowed to use a plane to jump.
Of course the world record will be a jump of over 30,000 feet, no doubt, but
it's no human high jump anymore.

When I see Uri citing the game, with the names of the 'players' in it, I realize
it has nothing to do with human correspondence chess anymore.

He likes it that way, and I'm happy to, but I won't enter those competitions
(anymore). Just because (as I already said) I can stay safely at home and play
against all the programs I have. Less than $500 - 700 and you have them all.
It's very rewarding to see after a game that my computer programs weren't able
to better my achievement in their analysis. Maybe I would have come to the same
moves using all my computer programs, but it was *me* taking the initiative, and
me finding the solution to an endfame I surely would screw up over the board.

*I* think it's too bad seemingly human correspondence chess has disappeared. I
thought this variety a lot of fun.
And even more, I really can't imagine I'm the only one.

But hey, maybe I should get a life :))

J.



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