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Subject: Correspondence Chess and computers

Author: Kevin Mulloy

Date: 08:12:37 08/15/98


Dear Friends at CCC,
     I was wondering if I might pose a question:  Does anyone believe that it
would be possible for one of the current crop of top computer programs to post a
Master rating in correspondence chess?  I can lend a little insite, but I would
like the opinion of the good people that work with computers and the computer
programs every day.  I am currently a USCF correspondence chess Candidate Master
(2064).  I have played more than 30 games and -- to date -- I have no losses and
only 2 draws.  I have played against players that I believed used computers.
Since my own style of play with both the white and black pieces tends to be
closed, I have noticed that computer players tend to attack well, but against
the closed positions I play they have trouble making any advances in the middle
game.  I am able to come out with a better game positionally and this has worked
very well for me.  I have went as far as playing Hiarcs6, Fritz5 and MCP7 in
simulated "postal games" and I am 1win, 0 losses and 2 draws.  I can not beat
these programs in a standard 40 moves in 120 min game.  Most of the time I can
not even draw against these programs at these time controls.  Does anyone have
an opinion on this?  Is there anyone that has played several games against the
top programs at "correspondence time controls" that may have simular results?
     With my limited experience, I don't think that -- against closed positions
-- the current software could achieve a master rating at postal.  If anyone
would like to simulate a game against their program, the only three rules that
you need to know are:  1.  Any opening library or research is legal. 2.  You are
allowed 3 days per move.  3.  You can not use any computer programs to generate
a move for you.  In an actual postal game you are not allowed to ask for advise
from anyone else about a move.
     I would be very interested to hear from anyone that plays such a match or
has noticed some of the same things that I have while playing closed positions.
                            Thank You,
                                        Trapper



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