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Subject: Re: John Merlino is a great guy.

Author: John Merlino

Date: 12:21:54 03/13/00

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On March 13, 2000 at 14:47:08, KarinsDad wrote:

>On March 13, 2000 at 13:09:49, John Merlino wrote:
>
>>On March 10, 2000 at 15:42:25, KarinsDad wrote:
>>
>>>On March 10, 2000 at 13:39:13, John Merlino wrote:
>>>
>>>[snip]
>>>>
>>>>As it stands now, the games that you would play (once again, due to time
>>>>constraints) would be Fischer 2/12. True, this is at the high end of blitz
>>>>chess, but since there are SO MANY personalities that need to be tested, they
>>>>would need as many games as possible.
>>>
>>>Why not just make it G15 (or even G10 for that matter)? It's approximately the
>>>same amount of time for a reasonable length game and you do not get people who
>>>have limited opening experience from losing on time (or via gross positional
>>>blunders due to time pressure) in the opening.
>>>
>>>KarinsDad :)
>>
>>Admittedly, Fischer, for the most part, favors the computer (especially in the
>>opening, when a personality with a deep opening book will gain an automatic 12
>>seconds with every book move).
>
>
>So, why do a test that favors the computer? Do one that challenges the computer.
>
>
> But the main reason that the development team
>>chose that time control is that it allows for a much longer game than G10
>>(which, on ICC, is approximately "equal" in time to Fischer 2/12).
>
>
>Yes, but not much longer than G15 (at the same rate, a 65 move game). This does
>not seem to be that great of a reason.
>
>
> It also tests
>>the personalities' endgame abilities better, giving them a minimum of 12 seconds
>>to think about every move, no matter how long they have had up to then.
>
>
>How so? If the program is designed properly, it will estimate how long the game
>will continue based on number of pieces, activity of pieces, number of moves
>made, time left, maximum game length, etc., and will ensure that it has
>sufficient time remaining (or not). Just like a human would.
>
>Your method does not test the program's ability to handle standard time controls
>against humans and artificially ensures that there will be at least 12 seconds
>per move for the endgame (i.e. the program can make sure that it does not lose
>on time and makes a reasonable move at all times). The entire problem with
>Fischer time control is that it is artificial (i.e. you will get skewed results
>from a lot of people less than class A). There is a good letter to the editor on
>this in this month's edition of the Chess Life.
>
>With your method, you will get skewed bad results from the humans in the opening
>and skewed good results for the computer in the endgame. How does that attempt
>to ensure that the personalities are "similar" to their human counterparts?
>
>
> I see
>>your point, but I think I agree with the team here.
>>
>>jm
>
>
>Hmmm. To each their own. I have always been a purist when it comes to time
>controls.
>
>KarinsDad :)

You make your argument well, and I will pass it on to the development team. Are
you USCF rated? Would you be willing to participate?

jm



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