Author: Robert Henry Durrett
Date: 12:14:46 08/29/98
This bulletin is a generalization and continuation of the following threads: (A) The Future of Computer Chess . . . (B) Mr. Iacovoni's idea: How to program it. (C) Threads related to Deep Blue and Hsu Related Questions: (a) What is the trend in home "power-user" chess computers? Will the dual-processor computers commonly used today for server applications find their way into the home? (b) As the faster microprocessors [Merced, etc.] become available, will we still see dual-processor servers, or will triple- or multiple- servers become the rule rather than the exception? Or, will there be a return to single-processor computers? Will these processors all have extremely high processing speeds? (c) Will chess-playing programs eventually see greater and greater specialization? As it is now, "books" are used for openings, conventional engines used for middlegames, and end-game programs used for endgames. Where will this trend toward greater software specialization lead? (d) Will the processors used for home chess applications be different, i.e. specialized for chess, from those found in general-purpose home computers? (e) Will the computers used for playing chess for facilities like ICC, FICS, etc., be big huge monsters which noone could afford to own in their personal residences? Discussion: It seems to me that there are really the following theoretical issues here: (1) Specialization in the hardware itself: Different processors designed for different purposes. Each processor having a different hardware configuration, (2) Specialization in identical multiple processors, all processors to work simultaneously, and (3) Specialization in the software itself. Different subroutines, subprograms, modules, or even different programs available in a huge software package [rivaling Microsoft's Office 97 in size] where only one small part [or a few parts] of the total program works at any given time. (4) A hybrid, such as different parts of the software package working simultaneously on different processors. Extreme software specialization could see individual subroutines, subprograms, modules, programs being optimized only for special cases. For example, one might be specialized just to play bishop and pawns versus knight and pawns games. QUESTION: Is this really all that "far out"? Where ARE we going?
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