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Subject: Re: Search instabilities when re-using hashtables

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 07:00:03 06/22/02

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On June 22, 2002 at 08:22:10, Filip Tvrzsky wrote:

>On June 21, 2002 at 23:23:41, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>On June 21, 2002 at 23:05:25, Filip Tvrzsky wrote:
>>
>>>Let me suppose my solution of your problems with hashed matescores (quite simple
>>>and in fact identical with that of Mr. Hyatt): adjust the evaluation every time
>>>just after you become it from the depth "depthroot + 1".
>>>Something like:
>>>        int Evaluation = -Alfabeta(-Beta, -Alfa, Horisont_alfabeta - 1);
>>>        if (Evaluation < -MATVALUE + 100) Evaluation++;
>>>        else if (Evaluation > MATVALUE - 100) Evaluation--;
>>>Of course, when the side to move is mated, you should return evaluation
>>>"-MATVALUE".
>>>And that is all! Then you do not need care for it more when hashing or using
>>>hash values. I use this solution in my chess program now (I had also big
>>>problems this kind for a long time) and it works fine!
>>>Sorry for my poor English.
>>>Filip Tvrzsky
>>
>>
>>That looks problematic.  alpha/beta values will be wrong, if I understand
>>what you are saying correctly.  That ought to make the search wildly unstable
>>in a position with _lots_ of mates in various numbers of moves.
>
>Of course, you are right ...
>I have forgotten to add the second part of this solution - I adjust Alfa/Beta
>values immediately after enter in Alfabeta function: incrementing them when they
>are greater then MATVALUE - 100 and, vice versa, decrementing when < -MATVALUE +
>100.
>I hope now it is really all. I am sorry, but it was 5.00 a. m. local time, when
>I was writing my message ...


The only complaint I would have with that is that you are doing a fair amount
of "adjustment" at each node.  Including the "if it is a mate score?" test to
see if you need to do anything or not...

It seems to be more efficient to do the search normally, and only do the test/
adjust stuff when actually storing an entry or getting a hit on a probe...



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