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Subject: Re: How far can you take pure "brute force"?

Author: Uri Blass

Date: 01:30:15 11/28/02

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On November 28, 2002 at 03:49:28, Sune Fischer wrote:

>On November 28, 2002 at 03:43:14, scott farrell wrote:
>
>>On November 27, 2002 at 14:02:29, Stan Arts wrote:
>>
>>>Hello!
>>>
>>>I am wondering how strong you can go by not using pruning methods like null-move
>>>or futilitypruning etc. but basicly just use a minimax-type algorithm with
>>>some form of alpha-beta pruning. I mean to keep the "full-width" (depth before
>>>going into Q-search) depth 100% sound.
>>>
>>>How well would the strong programs of today do when they dis-able (in theory,
>>>might not be possible ofcourse) all types of pruning except alpha-beta? (keeping
>>>their Q-search and move-ordening as it is now)
>>>
>>>Would be interesting to find out, I mean to see the effect of very good move-
>>>ordening of advanced programs etc. Also it would probably show which programs
>>>depend most heavelly on their Q-search that probably makes a lot of difference
>>>in strength in this case too?
>>>
>>>PS. Are there any strong engines/programs that do NOT use null-move, or a whole
>>>lot of futility-pruning/razoring etc? And if so, which ones?
>>>
>>>Thanks!
>>>
>>>Stan
>>
>>Read my recent post titled "pruning vs extensions vs qsearch - are these all
>>effectively the same?"
>>
>>My argument is that you dont need to forward prune at all, if you extend enough,
>>it is virtually the same thing.
>>
>>Are you aware that deep blue did NOT forward prune OR null move ??? just lots
>>and lots of brute force and extensions.
>
>I don't think it is the same entirely.
>One difference is that with pruning you can "undo" the extension you did
>earlier. Ie. in a long variant you may extend at ply 2, but at ply 3 there are
>some moves with should be pruned rather than extended.
>
>I see no way of doing this only with (positive) extensions.
>
>-S.

You can do it by not extending at ply 2 but remembering a flag and extend at ply
3 only if the rules of the original program tell you not to prune at ply 3.

I think that the pilosopical point that you can avoid pruning and do only
extensions is not important.

I do not need to look for some strange ways to define extensions only to avoid
prunings.

Uri



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