Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: About 'understanding' the game

Author: George Mathews

Date: 23:13:09 06/15/01

Go up one level in this thread


On June 15, 2001 at 19:19:29, Dann Corbit wrote:

>On June 15, 2001 at 19:06:17, Gian-Carlo Pascutto wrote:
>>Jose Carlos wrote:
>[snip]
>>> A.2. Computers and humans do not compare (like the soldier and the tank).
>>
>>I think this holds a lot of truth.
>>
>>> B. If we speak of 'quantities' (namely ELO rating), we can certainly compare
>>>    humans and programs, and say _with numbers_ if programs perform like GM's
>>>    or not.
>>
>>This assumes you can express GM in term of an ELO rating. I do not think
>>that is possible, or at least has any meaning.
>
>A horrible, incorrect, and sweeping generalization:
>1.  GM's plan for half and hour and then chop your head off with a samurai
>sword.
>2.  Computers cram your head into a meat grinder and slowly turn the lever.
>
>Neither one feels very nice, but at least the carrion birds can have something
>to eat later on in either case.
>
>Some GM's play like computers (Morphy/Polgar are tactical freaks)
>
>Some computers play like GM's (Yace, Fritz, Rebel, Chess Tiger at times -- for
>example) will come up with dazzling moves that pay off in the long run and seem
>strange at first, just like a GM.
>
>I think we can reach a consensus on something:
>1.  Are GM's better than most of us at playing chess?  Sure, that's why they are
>GM's.
>2.  Are computer chess programs better than most of us at playing chess?  Sure,
>they almost never make a mistake.  The least tiny slip and they grind you into
>powder.
>
>Therefore:
>Computers and GM's are better than most of us are at playing chess.  Anyone
>surprised at this marvel of logical induction?


Hi Dan

  I could never put it so Eloquently, but you make alot of sense.



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.