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Subject: Re: Keeping the last pawn

Author: Dieter Buerssner

Date: 16:47:37 11/26/00

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On November 26, 2000 at 18:19:44, Mike S. wrote:

>In general, trading is good for the side being ahead in material.

I think, the rule can be better stated, as trading pieces is good, when ahead
in material, and trading pawns is better otherwise.

>This is basic
>chess knowledge, known to most programs. But in the endgame, it's often wrong to
>trade the last pawn, if the resulting material doesn't allow to win (a common
>rule known from beginner's books is, that even the advantage of a minor piece
>usually is not enough to win in a PAWNLESS endgame).

My current version (and probably former versions as well) of Yace will move
h5 instantly in the position you sent. But it is also risky. Currently I have
implemeted this knowledge like: If the "winning side" has no pawns, and
only B/N more in pieces, make the score very drawish. Sometimes, this fires
back. Recently, I have watched a game Crafty-Yace, where Crafty won KRBB vs.
KRB. Also Uri Blass has recognized a game Gandalf Fritz, where Gandalf lost
KRNKR, if i remember correctly. Of course, a good set of table bases helps
in many of those "surprisingly" won postions.

Regards,
Dieter




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