Author: John R. Menke, Sr.
Date: 06:44:23 06/29/99
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- In March 1999 Chess Life magazine, IM Larry Kaufman presented his research into the relative material values of the chess pieces based upon statistical research using a database of nearly 300,000 games where both players had FIDE ratings of at least 2300. His summarized values were as follows: Pawn = 1 Bishop Pair = +1/2 Bishop = 3 1/4 Knight = 3 1/4 Rook = 5 Queen = 9 3/4 He says these values agree with the statistics within about 1/8 pawn accuracy in nearly every case tested. He also suggested a possible slight bias in favor of the Queen, which could be valued at 9 1/2 instead. I'm curious if these values have been tested with chess playing computer software vs different values? With Chessmaster 6000 I have come up with the following approximation which I'm testing, and have dubbed it the "Kaufman-Menke" values: Pawn = 1 Bishop = 3.3 Knight = 3.2 Rook = 5 Queen = 9.7 In comparison I believe that Terry Ripple is using the following values (dubbed "CM6555") for his tests with CM6000: Pawn = 1 Bishop = 3.5 Knight = 3.3 Rook = 5.5 Queen = 10 And I understand that Shep's values are as follows: Pawn = 1.1 Bishop = 3.5 Knight = 3.3 Rook = 5.5 Queen = 10 In a related note, I recently encountered the following interesting position which I believe might be a useful benchmark position in some of these tests regarding the relative values of Bishop and Knight. Slight changes in their material values will determine the subsequent course of the game. In one case the Bishop will be exchanged for Knight, or it will be retreated because it is slightly more valued. The position arises after the following moves: 1 d4 Nf6, 2 Nf3 d5, 3 e3 e6, 4 Bd3 c5, 5 c3 Nc6, 6 Nbd2 Bd6, 7 0-0 0-0, 8 Re1 e5, 9 dxe5 Nxe5, 10 Nxe5 Bxe5, 11 Nf3 Bg4, 12 Be2 ... The question is: Should black play 12...Bxf3 or retreat the bishop to d6 or c7? A slight change in the relative material values of the Bishop and Knight causes Chessmaster 6000 to make different decisions here. All comments welcome... John Menke -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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