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Subject: Re: Crafty v19.08 and Crafty SE v19.08

Author: Mike Byrne

Date: 12:29:18 01/02/04

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On January 02, 2004 at 14:08:07, Kurt Utzinger wrote:

>What's the difference between these two versions?
>And can already be said which is the stronger one.
>I would like to implement one of them under Arena 1.02
>GUI as a winboard engine.
>Kurt

Hi Kurt,

As the one who "modifies" crafty into Crafty 19.08 SE  - it can be said ( for
the first time ), that  the standard engine is the same -- , it is just that
Crafty 19.08 SE has 31 other different personalities and levels and added
commands that are found in regular crafty.   So if you wish to use the standard
engine, just use "plain" Crafty, if you wish to see how evaluation and seach
different settings impact Crafty, you can use Crafty 19.08 SE and use the
pre-defined settings or make your own.  Sort of like what you used to do with
Chessmaster.

I always find it very hard to tweak any settings  that make Crafty play better.
Also what worked in 19.04, may not work as well in 19.08, etc.  I have tweaked
the personalities a little bit over time - but not too much.  I mainly do it to
increase variety in play, and to enable to use a crafty that is much "dumber"
than standard crafty - even Crafty set at one ply search depth (sd=1), is tough
for some newbie chess players.

Also, I added a feature that iI call "delay move".  When one sets an engine to
say "search depth=3", the hardware is so fast, the engine will typically play
instantaneously.  That is not similiar to how when humans/humans play at all in
most non blitz chess games.  This feature allows the humaan to set the "sd=3" ,
'dm=on" and play a Game/15.  Although Crafty will search just 3 ply on every
move, it will use the clock as if it was thinking the entire time.   You will
actually have time to ponder your next move while "crafty" is waiting to make
its move.  It would have completed its 3 ply search in  a few nano seconds and
just wait until the appropriate time the level selected (game/15 etc) is killed
before responding.  It self adapting and can be used for any level (time
control). If you have "show thinking on" - you can see the move it will make and
get a headstart on your pondering :>).

Best,

Michael

ps anyone can get on the free e-mail distribution (best way to keep updated), by
e-mailing me with the word "include" in the subject heading.  if you are
innterested in the source, email me with the word "source" in the subject
heading.  I did receive some new source requests today and they will be e-mailed
later today.  In addition, Leo will carry the most current version on his
website, but the fastest and best way to keep current is to be on the mailing
list.  In addition , that saves his bandwidth and with 160 current subscribers
that is not insignificant.  Removal from the email is list is just as simple -
send me an e-mail with the word "remove".  In addition, I delete any addresses
that bounce back as undeliverable - they usually carry the full attachment if I
don;t keep my mailing list current, I could be quickly overwhelmed.

The executable mailing list is private , everyone is "bcc" and the list not
shared with anyone.  The source mailing list is not "bcc" ,i.e., anyone on the
list will see who else is gettting the source.  That could be useful if someone
wants to share an idea or catches a bug.



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