Author: Bob Durrett
Date: 09:16:38 02/04/04
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On February 04, 2004 at 11:51:06, Daniel Clausen wrote: >On February 04, 2004 at 10:52:38, Andrew Wagner wrote: > >>Sheer random thought....do you guys think that a basic book on how to write a >>chess program would sell? Like an "Idiot's guide..." or "...for dummies" book >>that takes you through the process step by step? > >I doubt it, since it would be targetted at programmers only. What might sell a >bit better though is a book, which explains to technical interested chess >players, how a chess program works in the inside. This book would explain >concepts like general mini-max, alphabeta enhancement and stuff like null-move. >Also how an engine evaluates positions and stuff like that. Even things like >history heuristics and killer moves could be explained. (of course with lots of >examples to illustrate the stuff) But no program code. > >Sargon I agree except with one caveat: The book must be written with the user's interests always in the forefront of the author's mind. The chess software doesn't really care how the chess software works. Instead, the chess software user desires insights into why the software performs the way it does. The chess software user wishes to become more proficient in using the software, and hopes that some useful insights will be provided by the author. The danger is that the author will become so enamored by his own descriptions of, and thoughts about, the inner workings of the software that he/she [the author] forgets who the audience is and what the audience likely desires/needs. It's all too easy for an author to convince himself that his pet topic is really worth talking about even if no one is listening. Only if an explaination helps the user to understand how to better use the software should the "fascinating" explaination be included. Incidentally, Christian Kongsted, in his book "How to Use Computers to Improve Your Chess" [Gambit, Copyright 2003, ISBN 1904600026], did try to explain a little bit about how chess-playing computers work but he did not go far enough, IMHO. [Perhaps he has never written a chess-playing program.] It's essential that the author really know from personal experience what is in a chess-playing program. He/she should also have personal experience with the hardware aspects if the book is to be authoritative. Bob D.
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