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Subject: Plans in chess programs?

Author: Rodney Topor

Date: 01:50:50 06/16/99


I'm a weak chess player, so please excuse me if this post doesn't make sense.
I'm just seeking information and opinion.

When I read annotated master-level games, particularly in texts, I see many
references to plans that players make (preparing to open a file, preparing to
double rooks on the seventh rank, preparing a pawn storm against the enemy king,
preparing a bishop sacrifice on h7, forming a blocked pawn structure, etc.).

When I watch programs play each other at WCCC99, e.g., I get the impression that
these very strong programs follow opening books, move pieces to good squares,
use search to find and exploit tactical opportunities, and eventually rely on
EGTBs.

This leads me to the following questions:

Do any of these programs form plans at all in the above sense?  Plans that do
not require them to reconstruct (and extend) the plan after every move?

If they don't form such plans, does this detract from the quality of their play?
 (I understand that any time required for analysis and formation of plans would
reduce the time available for search.)

Even if the lack of plans does not detract from the objective quality of their
play, does it detract from the aesthetic quality of their play?

Rodney Topor



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