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Subject: Re: Can a PC programme beat a top GM in a match?

Author: Vasik Rajlich

Date: 02:16:02 01/02/05

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On January 02, 2005 at 04:34:27, Vincent Diepeveen wrote:

>On January 01, 2005 at 08:52:13, Clive Munro wrote:
>
>>Forgive me if this question has already been discussed but I havn't read all the
>>threads on this site.
>>Has the time been reached that a commercial PC programme can beat Kasparov and
>>co over 40moves in 2 hours control? For instance if we had a 10 game match over
>>say two weeks could a commercial programme running on the latest retail hardware
>>(not 200 pcs linked together etc) beat the top GMs?
>>If not how close is it?
>>
>>Best
>>
>>Clive
>
>It depends upon payment. if you pay the GM regardless of result, what is
>happening always as the computer game company is way too much involved in the
>marketing it generates, then the top GM will of course not care and play 4-4 or
>something or lose.
>
>On the other hand if you only pay him when he wins, he will beat the hell out of
>you.
>
>Yet top GM's are too demanding. We know kasparov wants 1 or 2 million 'match
>fee' paid. You have no option if you want to play kasparov. he will demand
>payment in advance with a bank garantuee.
>
>Kasparov is simply the special case here. he draws so much publicity that you
>should play him if you can afford it. Yet playing him each few years would be
>too expensive for the sales in return :)
>
>The problem of other GM's is that you get near to zero publicity except within
>the chess world itself. You can play an (ex-)FIDE world champ for just a couple
>of thousands. No problem.
>
>Yet he'll demand also payment in advance: "to show up".
>
>He can then give a show without using any of his careful prepared openings, as
>those openings are used against humans only. If a GM has a novelty he'll sure
>won't play it against a computer. Shame.
>
>What we DO know is that the programs have increased in playing strength REALLY a
>lot last few years.
>
>Way more than i had expected myself to be honest.
>
>So a few years ago there was just one time someone who offered to GM's matches
>in the next form. If they would lose, they got nothing. If they drew then 250
>dollar, if they won then they got $500.
>
>Many very weak GM's took up the challenge and played Rebel. Rebel sure is a good
>program against humans, no question about it. Those real weak GM's 24xx rated
>and 25xx rated easily drew rebel and some actually won.
>
>If you organize again such a match i would expect you will see more of a
>difference. Certain 'profitting' type GM's who managed to kick Rebel by for
>example a sudden attack, they will more and more lose.
>
>However you still can't help certain players who play always the same opening
>and also use it against the computer.
>
>Offer IM Ziatdinov a match against a computer. Or offer GM Boris Kreiman a match
>against a computer. Especially the latter will just destroy it, no matter how
>many processors you use.
>
>He'll play a good opening and destroy it.
>
>Want to find out?
>
>Just pay him $500 a game, for each game he beats a machine of your choosing in
>40 in 2.
>
>Don't even offer money when he draws i would say.
>
>What will the result of a 8 game match be?
>
>Well that depends heavily upon what type of reward you give.
>
>If you offer $500 only for wins and nothing for draws, expect 3-5 wins from the
>GM. If you offer $4000 for winning a 8 game match, he'll beat you with 5 draws
>and 2 white wins and 1 loss from GM side. Just enough to cash in the money.
>
>I specifically mention Kreiman here, because he has a good opening and has
>experience playing software.
>
>I know so many GM's who will perhaps even lose a match from me if i prepare
>well, as their openings suck ass, and they would not prepare a match against me
>nor against the computer, and they have zero chance against any serious
>preparement. All software programs are pretty well prepared because of the
>openings book, but very little are really in depth prepared.
>
>Just mention the GM name, i'll lookup the openings the dude plays, and i can
>already give you a pre-prediction.
>
>Sutovksy? no, not a chance, he'll lose from Nimzo1998.
>IM Ziatdinov? yes, makes a good chance against the software.
>GM Ikonnikov? yes he'll even destroy software long after world champs have won
>from software. Ikonnikov knows he is tactical weak and plays every day in ultra
>safe anti-tactics mode and does do so by playing closed positions preferably.
>Even against 1.e4 !!!! He'll destroy anything.
>Offer him $100 for a draw, $250 for a win, and promise 20 games.
>This will be disastreous for your software.
>
>Rating of those guys doesn't really matter anymore when playing the computer.
>Personal style and motivation and 'bugfree' play are more important. I feel
>that's the difference now against todays hyperagressive software.

I half-agree here.

It's true that all engines still have massive problems. Someone with the
positional judgement & opening repertoire of a top player and enough tactical
accuracy could crush them.

I'm not sure though that any human could pull it off. Kramnik had a big money
incentive to win, was well-prepared, has a clean sound style - and still
couldn't get it done. Chess just has too much tactics.

Vas



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