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Subject: Re: Commercial program strength vs. amateur program strength

Author: Thomas Mayer

Date: 16:54:48 12/20/01

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Hi Christophe,

> 2) My program as well as other commercial
> engines are using search techniques
> that have never been published.

well, I think that is the main reason why they are stronger (among others,
better testing, more time etc.) and will stay stronger...

But I think new techniques could be also discovered by Amateurs - not so long
ago you was also Amateur - and I am totally sure that you have VERY special
search techniques and pruning methods - else I do not understand the depths the
Tigers are reaching... It's really amazing to watch... :)

>> Perhaps some are using forward pruning techniques that are not
>> published anywhere.  The degree to which this affects their playing strength >> is debatable.

>No it's not. It makes commercial programs clearly stronger.

In my opinion, "correct" prunning is they best way to get stronger and
stronger... As you said - nullmove can't be everything... believe me, I am
searching, maybe I will find someday something... And I am totally sure all the
others are also searching... futility pruning for example is an idea, but I
don't use it myself because it don't seems to be a win for my engine... and
chess is complicate enough that there could be many many many ..... many more
ideas... prunning is always risky, but if you find a good and robust way, it is
overall a win... and I believe, YOU have found something and the others for sure
also... As long as chess programs evaluate 99,999% totally idiotic positions
there is a way to prune something away... The question is: HOW... :)

Greets, Thomas



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