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Subject: Re: How to adjust Draw Score inside F6 GUI?

Author: Michael Williams

Date: 14:25:02 04/08/02

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On April 08, 2002 at 17:16:05, James T. Walker wrote:

>On April 08, 2002 at 11:24:14, K. Burcham wrote:
>
>>On April 08, 2002 at 11:01:45, James T. Walker wrote:
>>
>>>On April 08, 2002 at 10:46:12, Jeroen van Dorp wrote:
>>>
>>>>You must change the contempt value through the engine parameter dialogue box.
>>>>
>>>>Right click on the engine name at the top of the engine window and click on
>>>>engine parameters. Now adjust the contempt value in pawn value (1 pawn = 100)
>>>>
>>>>From the help file
>>>>
>>>><quote>
>>>>Contempt value: A very strong program can sometimes trick itself into a draw by
>>>>showing too much respect for the opponent. On a fast machine, the program may
>>>>suddenly start to repeat moves, because it has seen some very deep lines which
>>>>is slightly better for the opponent (even though the opponent has no chance of
>>>>actually finding the line). To counteract this tendency, we have introduced a
>>>>"contempt factor", which essentially tells the program to play on against weak
>>>>opponents.
>>>>
>>>>Setting a positive contempt value will cause the program to avoid draws, while a
>>>>positive value will make it go for a draw even if it thinks it is better. This
>>>>essentially shows respect for the opponent. The value is in hundredths of a
>>>>pawn, so setting 50 means that the program will play for a win, even if it
>>>>thinks its half a pawn down (which can easily be the case in certain openings).
>>>>If the program is playing against a top grandmaster it is usually better to set
>>>>minus 50, so it will play overconfidently and take a draw if the opportunity
>>>>arises.
>>>></quote>
>>>>
>>>>J.
>>>
>>>That's the biggest bunch of gobbledygook I've ever seen.
>>
>>why are you saying that James. or are you kidding. are you saying that this code
>>cannot be written. please explain your opinion, unless you are just
>>joking.
>>kburcham
>
>Hello Ken,
>I'm not kidding.  Do you mean to tell me you understand the first sentence of
>the second paragraph?  It contradicts itself all in one sentence.
>
>"Setting a positive contempt value will cause the program to avoid draws, while
>a positive value will make it go for a draw even if it thinks it is better."
>
>How can a positive setting cause it to both "avoid draws" and "go for a draw"???
>
>I'm getting old so maybe my reading comprehension has deteriorated recently.  Do
>you work for Chessbase?
>Jim

Convert the second positive into a negative, I think it was a typo...

"Setting a positive contempt value will cause the program to avoid draws, while
a negative value will make it go for a draw even if it thinks it is better."



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