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Subject: Re: Which program is best at improving your play. (plays "instructively")

Author: Robert Pawlak

Date: 06:54:19 09/18/03

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On September 18, 2003 at 06:25:13, stuart taylor wrote:

>Well, that has REALLY been my constant quest, whenever I look for the program
>which is strongest at chess playing.
>I always say that the most important thing in a new program is that it is
>stronger. But in truth, what's even more important (if it's not the same thing)
>is that it helps the human get stronger personally, by simply playing against
>the program.

Playing to beat a computer requires a skill set that overlaps normal play
against humans (i.e. ability to calculate, chess knowledge), but in general the
techniques used to beat computers are not the same as those used for humans.

If your definition of getting "stronger" is an improved ability to beat computer
programs, then simply pick one that you can beat occasionally and play against
it. However, when people talk about improving their play, they typically mean
against people.

>I'm not really talking about interface and features here, even if that can also
>help. I want to know about which chess playing engine plays in a way in which
>that alone sharpens the human in his own over-the-board combatting abilities.

All the stronger engines play a very sharp game that will test anyone's
"combatting" abilities. Improvement comes from study and analysis of games (both
your own and others). You need to work on addressing the flaws in your chess
thinking, and playing against an engine is a very inefficient way to go about
this.

If you want to improve, analyze your games, and have a stronger player review
your analysis. Study master games. Do tactical exercises. I could go on, but you
get my drift.

Bob





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