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Subject: Re: Endgame query (with diagrams)

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 20:58:55 03/30/04

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On March 30, 2004 at 14:35:45, Dieter Buerssner wrote:

>On March 30, 2004 at 14:16:05, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>All the PVs are draws for sure.  Whether there is a longer mate that avoids that
>>is not likely as there were no pawns to push the 50-move counter away...
>
>There is still the theoretical possibility, that you can force to capture
>earlier and thereby the mate would become longer. Perhaps it won't apply to
>these concrete positions, but it will be a valid argument in general. For
>example, there are positions in KBBKN, that can be won, but minimizing mate
>distance without concern to of the 50 moves rule will only draw.
>
>Ken Thompson had an online database with distance to conversion TBs (including
>many pawnless 6-piece TBs). Unfortunately, last I tried, it was not available
>anymore. It at least could give a clue. When the (pawnless) pos has DTC > 50, it
>is of course futile, to search for something. When DTC <= 50, one could hope for
>a real win.
>
>Regards,
>Dieter


The main point is winning.  I don't believe a human can draw any of those
positions Guy gave.  A mistake here and there turns mate in 200 to mate in 20
instantly...

Against a computer with the tables it would be hopeless, of course.



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