Author: Jasmine Baer
Date: 08:54:36 03/17/04
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I read his article and I am amused. He insinuates that it doesn't really take much to buy Deep Fritz 8 and put it into a super PC. It is more a contest of "wallets" rather than "wills." All of that might be true, but he should know that there is more to competing on an Internet chess server with a PC than just buying the PC and buying the software. After all, Steve Lopez reviews the programs, so he knows full well about opening books and engine parameters. Although I am a novice in this entire area of computer chess, chess, and PCs, I know the value of a good opening book. I've also checked out enough games that the engines that I own have played to know that there are certain openings that certain engines prefer. By tweaking an opening book to lean towards playing particular lines, you can minimize the possibility of your PC being beaten by a slower PC. Also, you put the PC and engine in the best position to pull off an "upset" vs. a faster computer if the faster computer's owner hasn't been dilligent about tweaking his opening book. Also, engines like Shredder have a tremendous amount of parameters to tweak. Are the default parameters for forward pruning and selectivity the best for a 3 minute blitz game? I don't know yet. I haven't investigated, but I bet that an engine can be tuned to provide the best knowledge and speed balance depending on the time controls it will be playing. It is all about squeezing as much juice as you can out of your opening book, chess engine, and PC in order to put it in the best position to perform well. Some may take it too seriously, but I think most manage to keep it in perspective. Besides, what is a hobby if it doesn't involve a little passion? I'd call it a dull job! For him to pooh-pooh what has become a pretty popular hobby in this niche (hey, where else can you learn about chess, learn about chess engines, AND learn about PC hardware?) seems rather arrogant. Am I learning more about being a better chess player? Probably not much. However, I can say that I have learned a bit about opening lines, and I've actually picked up some endgame tips. But, if I wanted to improve my chess game, I'd do more OTB chess - I wouldn't be matching up PCs. My goal is to have fun in my own insular little world! I CAN say that I now know more about PC hardware than I ever thought I did. I can actually a couple of differences between the P4 Prescott and the P4 Northwood. There is so much I have learned by getting into this "hobby." I can definitely say that my horizons have been expanded, and that I am a more well-rounded person for getting into the computer chess thing. I wonder how many copies of DF8 would have been sold if there weren't a bunch of PC vs. PC hobbyists out there?
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