Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 12:36:33 09/23/02
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On September 23, 2002 at 14:43:23, Dieter Buerssner wrote: >On September 23, 2002 at 14:19:51, Robert Hyatt wrote: > >>Ruffian could be any of the following, in decreasing order of probability: >> >>1. A copy of a freeware engine with some changes or additions. > >From posted results, no freeware engine is close to the strength of Ruffian. You >mentioned yourself, that it is "easy" to reach some 2300 Elo level, but it is >very hard, to improve Crafty. Why should anybody, that can improve any freeware >engine that much, not be able, to write it from scratch anyway? If I look at the >position Will posted, (not only) the search depth really is impressive. It seems >to indicate, that Ruffian uses some clever pruning.\ I agree that ruffian looks stronger. However, that _is_ an explanation of "how could someone develop such a strong engine very quickly?" The answer is to take a known engine that is strong and incorporate a new idea (such as forward pruning) to make it even stronger. Writing a strong, robust engine is a time-burner. Starting with one and trying something new (ie a new take on singular extensions, or selective forward pruning, or whatever) would be a _much_ faster "path to glory". > >>2. A copy of a commercial engine, aided by a hex editor to change strings >> to disguise what has happened. > >The only commercial engine, that I am aware of, that supports UCI and WB is >Gandalf. AFAIK it is not available for Unix systems. Ruffian, when logged into >ICC shows an interface line with xboard. Unix versions are expected soon. > >>5. A completely new program, developed by a completely new author, sight- >> unseen by anybody until very recently. > >I think, point 5 is by far the most probable thing. > >Regards, >Dieter We just have to agree to disagree. I believe it is the _least_ probable explanation. Possible, but improbable, IMHO.
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