Author: Chris Carson
Date: 11:04:35 02/10/00
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On February 10, 2000 at 13:46:50, Bruce Moreland wrote: >On February 10, 2000 at 04:41:32, Alvaro Polo wrote: > >I started playing against a weak computer when I was in high school, back when a >weak computer meant a really really weak computer. I immediately discovered >that if I left a piece en-prise, that the computer would take it, and my game >would disintegrate. This also happened if I dropped an important pawn early on. > The people I had been playing up until this time were too weak to punish me for >doing this, but the computer didn't miss this kind of stuff. I also learned >about forks, pinned pieces, and simple attacking themes like winning on the >e-file when the opponent is too slow castling. I improved very rapidly by >simply playing against this dumb computer until I could beat the tar out of it. >I think that anybody could do this. > >I don't know what the average person gains by playing against a modern program >at full strength, but I still learn something when I play against them, even >though I'm not very strong. I'm convinced that if I actually cared about >playing chess, that I could lever myself up a class by playing strong programs >often. > >So I think my statement is true. > >bruce Bruce, I can not speak for most people, but I had a similar experience when I was in high school. I built my first computer (a sinclair) with 4K ram. I could not program a chess game (no real experience and that level of programming was beyond me). Later in college, I had a TRS-80 (pocket), I could program equations, but not chess programs, however, I did get a radio shack chess computer and was hooked. Later, my 4th year in EECE, I got an IBM-PCjr and programmed my first chess program (I had done parts of it from different CS classes) using Borland Turbo-Pascal. :) Lots of fun. I think my game has improved from playing the machines, but I am sure it would improve more if I put in more time playing (and studying) and less time doing other things, but then again, I enjoy the chess that I do play and my other hobbies as well. :) Just a USCF 1505 player, and proud of it. :) Best Regards, Chris Carson
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