Author: Tom Likens
Date: 12:25:34 04/29/02
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Hello Roy, One area where it becomes interesting is when a program *almost* has enough time to complete an additional ply but doesn't quite make it. Doubling the time in these type of circumstances can be extremely beneficial to the computer since an additional ply searched almost always results in stronger play. Another aspect of this is that even though a program may not complete an additional ply it will benefit from all the moves stored in its hash table, which can then be reused later. If pondering is turned on then doubling the time is even better since the program gets not only twice its own time but also double the opponent's time (on average) to search. regards, --tom On April 29, 2002 at 13:56:58, Roy Eassa wrote: > >How do longer time controls affect humans and computers? > >For humans, the extra time mainly provides better "debugging" of one's analysis. > It also gives more chances to find different lines and greater depth, but these >are quite secondary for human GMs, IMHO. > >For computers, better debugging is (almost) not an issue. They make no tactical >errors within their horizons. What the extra time gives computers is mainly >greater search depth. But doubling the time does not even add 1 ply usually. > >So, which factor makes the bigger difference, GMs getting debugging that's twice >as good or computers getting less than 1 ply of greater depth? > >When GMs lose to computers, it's *almost always* due to insufficient debugging. >Doubling the time (for example) can make a HUGE difference here. > >When computers lose to GMs, it's *occasionally* due to insufficient depth that >could be cured by doubling the time. > >Obviously, both humans and GMs play stronger on an *absolute* scale when given >more time. But I think it's most likely that GMs benefit *proportionally* much >MORE than computers do from the additional time.
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