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Subject: Re: Better usage of EGTBs

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 06:42:07 03/27/03

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On March 26, 2003 at 15:41:37, Mike Hood wrote:

>On March 26, 2003 at 11:05:54, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>On March 25, 2003 at 16:41:35, Mike Hood wrote:
>>
>>>I don't think that Chessbase's tablebase engine (which is activated when a
>>>tablebase position is on the board) is used optimally in drawn positions. In
>>>engine-engine matches it makes no difference, but a different strategy could
>>>give better results against human opponents. Let me explain what I mean, using
>>>the following position:
>>>
>>
>>Crafty has been doing exactly this for many years.  It is the "swindle mode"
>>that several others now have as an option.
>
>Thanks, Robert, I didn't know this.
>
>Really, playing on in a position which you know is a draw disrespects your
>opponent. It's as if you're saying to him "Come on, I know you'll make a blunder
>eventually". My local chess league has a rule to stop things like this. If a
>player refuses to accept a draw and then makes moves which "do nothing
>constructive", the other player can call an abjudicator who has the power to
>declare the game a draw.


I don't quite agree.  IE a KQP vs KQ _may_ be technically drawn, but it can be
very
tricky to actually draw the thing.  Others come to mind as well, such as KRP vs
KR,
where I have seen GM players make a mistake when the line is very deep and very
exact.  I think the opponent should be forced to show that he/she knows how to
draw
the position, otherwise someone _could_ say that even playing a GM shows
disrespect
since we don't really have a chance of winning and making him prove that is
bad...

I don't go along, of course.  Crafty _will_ offer draws or accept draws, when
appropriate,
but for tablebase positions where it is up material, but the EGTB score is draw,
it will
play on,



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