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Subject: Re: Modifying a crafty to play at a lower strength

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 10:19:20 10/10/01

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On October 10, 2001 at 12:05:54, Mike Hood wrote:

>On October 10, 2001 at 11:53:35, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>On October 10, 2001 at 11:45:40, Mike Hood wrote:
>>
>>><<snip>>
>>>
>>>I have a couple of ideas that might lead to weaker but non-stupid play. I admit
>>>that I'm just thinking aloud, so I welcome contradiction from anyone who has
>>>already tried these methods to weaken his engine.
>>>
>>>1. Over-evaluate postion in relation to material values. This can lead to
>>>sacrifices that might not lead to victory for the computer, but which will
>>>nevertheless cause the human opponent difficulties.
>>>
>>>2. Over-evaluate the value of the pawns. Changing the pawn value from 1.0 to 1.5
>>>or greater can lead to interesting (but not necessarily correct) play.
>>>
>>>Comments?
>>>
>>>Mike (Sunset Dancer) Hood
>>
>>
>>I don't think this will work against weaker opponents.  All you are doing is
>>making the engine even _more_ aggressive.
>
>It depends what you mean by "weaker". A more aggressive playing style might
>crucify a 1400-1600 rated player, but an 1800-2000 rated player would probably
>find the playing style more entertaining.


I was using "weaker" as "easier to beat".  I'm not sure adding aggressive
behavior is a way to weaken the engine, unless the aggressiveness is so over-
tuned that it changes from aggressive to reckless and beyond.  And the
difference between the two might be significant.  IE once it starts sacrificing
a rook for a piece or a piece for a pawn, just to expose the king to an attack
that won't succeed, it can become pretty easy to beat.  My old
super-constellation fell into that category in many positions.  It became easy
to beat it by giving it a chance to play (say) Bxh7+ and then taking the piece
advantage to a win...  The first few times, it might succeed, but then it just
looks foolish.



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