Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: Time management

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 17:23:53 08/22/01

Go up one level in this thread


On August 22, 2001 at 15:53:38, Miguel A. Ballicora wrote:

>
>You do this even if you are running out of time and with a big advantage
>already?

Yes.  In most cases, each root move takes a fraction of a second, after the
first has been searched to get a score.  Which means for most cases, this
doesn't influence time usage at all.


> That is what I am worried about if I decide to complete the analysis
>of a root move. It if is good that it is worth anaylzing, it might take some
>time, always less than the "main" move though. If it is fast, probably it was
>not worth analyzing!. But I can see the point: every time a root move has been
>interrupted there are wasted nodes. That is a fact. We better complete those
>moves AND allow a bit less time to think per move to compensate.
>But I would not do that if I am short of time and a piece up. What do you think?
>


If you want to make an exception, that is probably a good one.  I just chose
to "keep it simple, stupid" and do it every time...  :)



>Would not be a safer idea to have to different time deadlines?
>t1 --> first time (the regular): time is up if we are analyzing the main move.
>t2 --> (t2 > t1) if I am analyzing any other root move, I do not stop when the
>time is > t1, I just continue, but t2 would be an "emergency" time out, in which
>I _have_ to stop no matter what, in any situation, for instance I consumed too
>much time because the search exploded and I am too close to lose
>on time. Generally, this should never happen but it will guarantee some
>"accidents" that makes me burn a lot of time in a position that is not worth it.

I have that.  I can use up to 2x the normal target trying to do what I
explained, ie I won't burn forever.  If the target is 3 minutes, I am
going to move after 6 no matter what unless I get a fail low...




>(i.e. I am winning anyway).
>t2 could be adapted according to the evaluation after the main move was
>analyzed.
>
>I am doing something similar if I interrupt in the PV move and the eval that it
>returned is a fail low. That is bad news even though the search was not finished
>so I continue the iteration, but until I find a move that does not fail low or I
>finish the iteration or I reach the "emergency" deadline.
>
>This is not completely tuned up, but I think that I could use it along your
>aproach. Whay do you think?
>
>Regards,
>Miguel



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.