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Subject: Re: "Don't trust draw score" <=Is it true?

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 19:30:28 08/08/01

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On August 08, 2001 at 12:30:47, TEERAPONG TOVIRAT wrote:

>
>Hi,
>
>As I understand, a draw score from hashtable can be originated from
>1.an almost equal position 2.repetition of position
>Is it generally recommended to differentiate these 2 conditions?
>How much would I gain if I fix the problem?
>
>Thanks,
>Teerapong


The above doesn't quite read right.  If you hash _everything_ (EP status,
castling status, etc) then you can't get "almost" matches.  But the problem
is that the drawscore might not be "right".  IE the hash entry says "this
is a draw, assuming you can search from this position to the drawn position
with no problems."  If you treat two-fold and three-fold draws differently,
this can break.

However, in counterpoint, other scores are _also_ wrong for the same reason.
A normal hash score says "if I search from this position to the terminal
position that produced this score, I will get this score."  But it doesn't
realize that it is more than possible that before you reach that terminal
position, you cross over a repetition position or a 50-move rule counter
violation, or something similar...  So that you think you might be winning,
but are heading for a forced (and unseen) draw.

I ignore the problem myself and store draw scores without a second thought.



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