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Subject: Re: Draw: how to know?

Author: Brian Richardson

Date: 07:11:54 10/02/01

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On October 02, 2001 at 05:08:37, Pham Minh Tri wrote:

>Hi all,
>My problem: Human offers a draw, how does program decide to agree or not?
>Many thanks for any help.
>Pham

Handling draws is like many other fuzzy computer chess issues (like timing,
evaluations, etc).  This is what I do in Tinker.  When a game starts and the
ratings are supplied a draw score is calculated.  It is low for players rated
some amount below Tinker, high for much better players, and even in between. The
draw score is used when Tinker is searching to head towards a drawn game.

On the other hand, when a draw offer is recieved, it checks the current position
evaluation against a different draw threshold.  Other factors are also
considered, like how many nonreversible moves have been made, the time left,
queens present, and if there is an increment. In looking at the code, I see some
areas that are in need of updating too.  I think very few programs initiate draw
offers.  One technique is described in Crafty.  Note that a similar approach is
used in Tinker to automatically resign.  I think this avoids discouraging human
players by not dragging out "obviously" lost games.



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