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Subject: Re: Chessmaster 10th Ed. YAWN!

Author: John Merlino

Date: 18:12:12 05/14/04

Go up one level in this thread


On May 14, 2004 at 20:30:24, James T. Walker wrote:

>On May 14, 2004 at 20:01:50, John Merlino wrote:
>
>>On May 14, 2004 at 19:19:18, Alex  wrote:
>>
>>>On May 14, 2004 at 17:16:03, John Merlino wrote:
>>>
>>>>On May 14, 2004 at 15:42:13, Terry Giles wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>On May 14, 2004 at 15:07:54, John Merlino wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>>Finally, there's something to see about the next version of Chessmaster
>>>>>>(apparently officially called "Chessmaster 10th Edition"):
>>>>>>
>>>>>>http://www.ubi.com/US/Games/chessmasterx_pc.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>>As expected (by me), the interface is entirely new, since the program is being
>>>>>>developed by the same team that did the PS2 version.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>From what I can glean from the info on the website, it sounds like the majority
>>>>>>of the work has gone into redesigning the UI and improving the online play. I
>>>>>>don't see any new exciting tutorial/analysis features, other than Johan's new
>>>>>>version of The King.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>So it sounds like they're going to sell the program based on the merits of the
>>>>>>new interface.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I also see a hint that there is an Xbox version in the works as well.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>As for an official release date, there isn't one mentioned.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Enjoy!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>jm
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Thanks for the info John, sad to say that all the screenshots shown are of
>>>>>'arty-farty' chesspieces and board combinations. I'm currently running CM9k on a
>>>>>PII @ 400Mhz, so unless I go for a major upgrade PC wise, the CM10th anniversary
>>>>>program will prove too demanding for my computer!
>>>>>
>>>>>tag
>>>>
>>>>Yep, the min spec says P3-450, so I don't think this will be for you.
>>>>
>>>>But I would definitely say it's time to upgrade, especially if you are a fan of
>>>>computer chess!
>>>>
>>>>jm
>>> Yah whatever!  Look--don't get me wrong......... I am a fan.  BUT!  let's face
>>>it -- the delivery in regard to online features and quality of chessmaster as
>>>historically presented and advertised is almost criminal in my opinion!  Yah --
>>>3d sets...I am with KURT U. on this one!  I ALWAYS actually play on 2d sets!
>>>Annnnnnnnnnnnnd........last but not least let's talk about engine.......is it
>>>reworked or is it JUST a new "personality setting"?  Alex
>>
>>To answer your comments:
>>
>>-- I almost always use the 2D sets, too. But many of the 3D sets are playable
>>(particularly the "flat" ones) and have the advantage that they can be resized
>>to any desired amount.
>>
>>-- The engine is new. It's got a new version number and everything -- just like
>>the engine in CM9000, which tests show is anywhere between 100-150 points
>>stronger than the previous version. Somehow I don't see that as "JUST a new
>>'personality setting'".
>>
>>jm
>
>Somehow I don't believe the "100-150 points stronger".  In the history of
>commercial computer chess I have never seen that big of a jump in rating at one
>time.  In fact the improvements in strength lately have been almost
>unrecognizable.  I am at the point of giving up on buying more chess programs
>and faster computers for a couple of years.  My blitz test show Fritz 8 is about
>11 points stronger than Fritz 7.  Big deal.  It seems that improvements in the
>opening book make it look stronger for a while untill book learning negates the
>new lines.  Then the real improvement shows itself.  Just my opinion of course.
>Jim

Well, in the SSDF list, CM8000 (K6-2 450) got a 2520, and CM9000 got exactly 200
points higher on an Athlon 1200MHz. Adjusting for CPU-increase with the loose
but somewhat standard "50 points for each doubling of CPU speed" method, this
roughly equates to about a 100-point increase.

On this site, a learned person stated his belief that the engine could be
200-300 points better (but that's way too high, IMO):
http://www.logicalchess.com/hcc/reports/CM9000vsFritz6/cmvsfritz.html

Chessfun's rating list shows a 92-point increase on the same hardware, with
error range in the +/- mid-30s to mid-40s.

The lowest estimated increase I could find is on Surak's site, which shows a
59-point increase.

Therefore, I feel pretty confident that the increase is at least 100 points, and
150 is not out of the question.

jm



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