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Subject: Re: Crafty endgame position

Author: Mike S.

Date: 15:51:23 04/07/02

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On April 07, 2002 at 18:09:51, Mike Hood wrote:

>I agree. However, their is a two-tier market for chess programs. My contention
>is that only an "expert" would buy a program like Fritz or any of the other top
>chess programs. You have to be an insider to have even heard of Fritz.

This is different in Europe, or in german speaking countries where Fritz is very
well known, and often used by club players AFAIK. It's also available in big
computer stores. Furthermore, previous versions of Fritz are sold for ~10 $
here. It's popular. Meanwhile, also Shredder 6 has made it's way in this type of
shops... but no Hiarcs, Tiger or Junior yet (not the full versions; but i.e.
other Nimzo incarnations can be found there sometimes).

For example, do you know this one:

http://www.schachdemschweinehund.de/

It's close related to Nimzo 7.32 (even has some NCD tablebases included, but
being a consumer type program, doesn't point the user to that).

>(...)
>When aren't they an advantage?

Experiments have shown that in some practical positions, engines (with 5-piece
tbs.) playing against themselves (without tbs.), the side without tbs was often
more successful. The effects were not quite clear IMO. In addition to the loss
of speed, which is certainly a disadvantage then and when, there are other
effects. For example, best defenses can be missed because the engine recognises
due to the tbs. that they are draws only, but misjudges another continuations
where the tbs. don't give support for, and thus even looses.

Generally, my impression is that the ups and downs of using 5-piece tbs. are
much more complicated than most people are aware of. I wouldn't be surprised if
4-piece tbs. would be more successful than 5-piece tbs., in practical positions,
i.e. like the Nunn endgame test.

Regards,
M.Scheidl



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