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Subject: Re: Null Moves at the Root?

Author: Peter McKenzie

Date: 15:58:36 12/21/00

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On December 21, 2000 at 16:40:26, Brian Richardson wrote:

>What are the pro's and con's of doing null moves "at the root", e.g. after a ply
>1 move and then another null move by the same side.  It seems to help
>dramatically in some tactical situiations, but not others.  Thus far, Tinker has
>only used null moves starting at ply 2 (actually ply 3) moves, e.g, Tinker makes
>a move, then opponent replies, then another null move reply.

I would call ply 1 "at the root", and I would call ply 2 "1 ply below the root".

Given these definitions, null moving at the root makes no sense but I think most
people try the null move one ply below the root.  Why wouldn't you?  I can't
think of any obvious reason for it to be less valid there.

I think I heard Bob say that he doesn't allow null moves near the root in
certain endgames.

>
>Thanks
>Brian
>
>PS  One example of it helping is BT2630.03
>5r1k/p1q2pp1/1pb4p/n3R1NQ/7P/3B1P2/2P3P1/7K w - - bm e5e6



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