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Subject: Re: Fritz is a GM

Author: Shaun Graham

Date: 21:28:52 07/13/98

Go up one level in this thread


On July 13,
>
>
>based on experience I don't think this is true.  The best chance comes early,
>not later, because Fritz has serious holes in it, as does every program I can
>think of, and GM's are going to find 'em, and drive trucks through 'em.

First of all human players have their own holes to deal with.  I'm not going to
argue against that if GM's play anti-computer chess that they will win more
games against a computer of course they will.  If you are playing a competitive
game against a computer program and use anti-computer techniques, the computer
WILL NOT perform like a GM, because they can't adapt and punish these methods as
a human GM would.  However if you are training with a computer and play your
normal game(regular GM chess) against the computer just as if it were an unknown
grandmaster, then it will perform like a Grandmaster.  So the question is, (1)
is Fritz a GM strength against typical non anti-computer chess?  I would say
certainly.  (2) Is it a GM against non typical (anti computer) chess?  I would
say definitely not,for the reason that the programs are currently unable to
adapt to such situations.
>
>And giving them more tournaments to find these openings is suicidal.  So
>the key questions to me are:  (1) is Fritz the best commercial program?
>answer seems to be yes, if you are talking about playing computer vs
>computer matches.  It's proven that on the SSDF it seems.  (2) Is fritz or
>any other program a GM?  not even close yet.  Good chess players find and
>exploit holes in every program running.  I think that many programs might
>fit right in the middle of the IM class, although they will not be nearly
>as consistent as IM players, because they will beat an IM on tactics, then
>get crushed in an elementary ending.  A PC GM is a ways away, IMHO, still.
>
>Getting closer, but not here.  *yet*.  But given enough time...


Regardless of it as actually DONE OR NOT! the point is that if Fritz were placed
 in a tournament setting even just a single tournament,(masquerading as a human)
would it be able to perform at a level equal to that of other GMs in the
tournament.  I would say most definitely yes.  If it performed at a level equal
to that of GMs then it can be said it performed at GM strength.  The result is,
that when you or i play a game against the program using normal play, will it
take advantage of our mistakes to the degree of a GM even a low rated GM.
Arthur Bisguier is old he is a GM, he is 2300+ USCF, Fritz would destroy him in
a match probably even if he did know it was fritz he was playing.  So the title
is absolutely inconsequential.  The ultimate question is ELO rating. If Fritz is
2450-2500 ELO that's all that's of any importance.



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