Author: David Rasmussen
Date: 00:10:54 11/14/02
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On November 13, 2002 at 15:09:14, Bob Durrett wrote: > >That is useful information. Thanks. > >But I'm sure you want to be completely fair about this. : ) > >To be completely fair about it, you must admit that there is much in the >present-day chess engine algorithms which is the same for every engine. For >example, there is all this lip service paid to "alpha-beta." > >My guess is that MOST, if not all, of the basic algorithm content of present day >chess engines is the same from one engine to the next. Correct me if I'm wrong. > >If you buy that, then you must admit that it's unfair talking about "using bad >algorithms" versus "using good algorithms." If all the chess engines are using >essentially the same algorithms, then ALL chess engines will be using "good >algorithms" [giving present-day algorithms the benefit of the doubt.] > The basic alpha-beta framework is not the whole algorithm. You are right, that "all" chess programs today use the alpha-beta framework. But there are vast differences in two areas: 1. Tactical abilities, primarily defined by clever pruning and extensions 2. Strategical abilities, primarily in the evalution funtion In a word, knowledge. As far as we know, Chess Tiger uses the alpha-beta framework. Christophe's posts certainly seem to indicate so. Still, it is very strong in these two ways. In fact, Chess Tiger would probably beat Chezzz in a 25 game match, even if it ran on hardware that was 25% the speed of the hardware of Chezzz. Maybe even 10%. That is algorithmic enhancement. You do a game tree search, but you only have to look at 10% of the nodes of your opponent because you do something clever. Furthermore, evaluations are more correct, overall. You're going to win. On the other hand, having implemented his clever ideas, Christophe will want his program to run as fast as possible, not compromising his design too much. That will give him an extra 50 ELO points or whatever. But the bulk of it's strength advantage over amateur programs like Chezzz, comes from the algorithmic enhancements he have made to the basic alpha-beta framework and it's known enhancements. /David
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