Author: J. C. Boco
Date: 15:57:24 11/20/03
Doubling the processor speed or the time for thinking adds about 80 points to the SSDF-computer-ratings. But PC's are already running so fast that doubling their speed might mean searching at 15ply instead of 14ply. But dedicated computers are reaching, what, about 6ply on a search. If you double the speed (or time) for a dedicated machine it might mean a difference of 7ply instead of 6ply. It seems to me that this would be much more of an improvement. Is it fair to say that the 80points gains for doubling your speed is too low for dedicated computers? I've been trying to come up with a logical (if conjectureable) scale of the Star Diamond's playing strength per level, and the number I've found useful is 150 points for each doubling. Just as a gross example of my little thought experiment (and I'm only doing this because I have to wait until monday to get my computer!). Let's say the Star Diamond is rated 2200 at 40/2. 2200 is just the number I'm using, since I'd like to think the $270 computer I just bought is a master. If I assume that with a dedicated computer each doubling is worth 150 points (instead of 80) then I get, with some aestetic rounding: Average time per move "Rating" 3 minutes 2200 2 minutes 2100 1 minute 1950 30 seconds 1700 15 seconds 1550 10 seconds 1450 5 seconds 1300 2 seconds 1150 While this loosely follows the Log(speedup)/Log2 * 150, it seems to me the lower levels may be rated to low. I mean, I would think the 5 seconds of thought for the latest dedicated computer would be stronger than mid-class D. If I used 100 per doubling then level *2 seconds* would be about 1500, which strikes me as being too high. Perhaps 125 per doubling is closest. This would yield the lowest level a rating of 1325. Hmmmm, yes I'm working it out as I'm writing. Maybe 125 ELO per doubling is appropriate for dedicated chess computers. Anyway, I'd be interested in the thoughts of others who most likely have thought more about these kinds of things, or are in a position to know. Perhaps you've played this computer yourself? And what is the latest commonly accepted formula for converting the SSDF computer ratings to human USCF ratings? Is it still to add 180?
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