Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: To build a book or not?

Author: William H Rogers

Date: 14:22:03 07/16/02

Go up one level in this thread


I agree that a 20 move deep opening book would be a lot greater than one that
was on 10 moves deep. In fact, last year one game in a tourneyment was won by a
program that did not ever leave its opening book. I personally think that that
is totally rediculus as the book included opening, midgame, and end game all in
one. I have maintained for over 10 years now that opening books should be
limited only to the first 10 moves as they are considered the openings, after
that you are in mid game, etc. How do you rate a program that might be only
rated at 1200 elo when its opening book complete destroys the top 5 or so
programs rated at over 2600 elo? The use of opening books should be limited in
tourneyment games so that the true strength of the programs can be seen, not the
extensiveness of the books. What is sold to the public on the other hand can
have anything goes so long as the option to controll is there.
I know that most of the programmers here believe that anything goes, but in my
opinion we are trying to build and test the best "chess engine" not a
combination of other junk that has been included.
Of course if you already have an enourmous book with your program, then you will
not agree with me but want to keep the winning combination.
I am sorry if I get a little riled about this subject, but to me chess
programming is just that "chess programming" not playing a game totally from
book without ever using your engine.
Bill



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.