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Subject: Re: Question from a novice....

Author: chandler yergin

Date: 13:44:04 08/26/03

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On August 26, 2003 at 15:15:51, Matthew Hull wrote:

>On August 26, 2003 at 15:13:11, Matthew Hull wrote:
>
>>On August 26, 2003 at 14:10:11, chandler yergin wrote:
>>
>>>A question from a Novice here, so please bear with me.
>>>If, a Chess Program is "out of book", then the static weights given to the
>>>program in the quiescent position determines the evaluation?
>>>This may vary from program to program right?
>>>Which is why different programs often disagree even in the PV & secondary line?
>>>What comes to mind is the Urusov Opening, where very few games have been played.
>>>Statistically, the White wins are not credible; for example, Steinitz & lasker
>>>both fell into an Opening trap or combination, so if the program picks a move
>>>statistically, it would not be the best.
>>>I'm just trying to understand more about how the program works when on it's own
>>>so to speak.
>>>Any info would be helpful,
>>>Thank You,
>>>CY
>>
>>You are correct.  A badly composed opening book can land a program in a bad
>>position from which it's evaluation function may not be able to deliver it.  For
>>instance, if a program plays closed positions badly, then having an opening
>>library full of those kinds of destinations will scupper that program's chances
>>of winning against opponents good at closed postitions.
>>
>>Using human play statistics alone to compose opening libraries not sound as you
>>have correctly pointed out.  That's why commercial programmers hire out this
>>kind of work, especially for championship events, tuning the book (and keeping
>>it secret) to suit the strengths of the program in question.
>>
>>In this way, and with a little luck, a mediocre engine might lift it's ELO
>>performance in an event.
>>
>>MH
>
>
>Also, the engine's evaluation function is NOT active while the game remains in
>book.  The program itself does not start "thinking" until book moves have been
>exhausted.
>
>MH
  That confirms then the "anti-computer" strategy that seems to work for Nemouth
& a few other humans. Get it out of book and make it play their game.
Thanks,
CY



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