Author: Frank Quisinsky
Date: 10:02:33 01/24/99
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Hello Bob, I understand what you mean, however you were not present in Leiden so you have got information different from mine. Regarding the SMP protocol of yours Hans Secelle apparently made a mistake. He did not know that he might not apply the protocol. In order to get equal chances Bionic still employs the SMP technique. From what I know, Hans has offered his apologies for this. Hans has nevertheless in the past proven that he can program without Crafty's source code. If you knew Hans personally you would feel different about him, I am positive. He is a witty and open-minded person. I wouldn't like to meddle in this too much because as a mere user I simply do not have that right. I wrote a report about the Dutch Open for the Computerschach und Spiele magazine and the contacts I had in Leiden with many programmers gave me the appropriate background info (I was there during each of the rounds). The whole matter is, I should say, silly and has been conducted stupidly! Hans was honest and directly said that he used parts of Crafty's source code. This could be crazy or not, but he has not profited anything from YOUR work! However, I must still add that I read with great interest what Ed Schroeder wrote about this issue and I think that he is right. The source code of Crafty (so helpful for other programmers)has led to more Freeware programs lately and it is often unjustly assumed that Crafty is behind it. There are different free sources and codes on the Net. For example, the code of Phalanx, which, on the basis of our results, has proven to be a first-class chess engine and is at least as good as Crafty. For the development of computer chess this is great, because other programmers, Hans for example, have nice ideas and can incorporate them into an already invented "automobile" (The German concept is paraphrased -- why should anyone try to reinvent the automobile?). In this way computer chess is advancing and the end-user profits. On the other hand, how many Crafty-clones play openly on the Chess Servers? Regarding WinBoard it is just great that programmers can see for themselves how this perfect integration based on Crafty functions. Or, Crafty can point at how to implement good hash table support. So, more and more programs are being created. That is not only thanks to Crafty, but Crafty has contributed to the development of computer chess and for this as a user I would like to thank you. I am pleased about new programs such as Bionic and would very much love to use all the programs all at once. Nevertheless, Phalanx, to name one, just like some other programs have nothing whatsoever to do with Crafty. I understand both you and Schroeder very well and was grateful too for the interesting explanations offered by Don and Bruce. Please, believe me, Bob. The results of Crafty 15.18 to 16.3 do not match the results of Bionic Impakt 4.01. The evaluations and moves are different. If I am to prove this to you, could you please send me the positions you wish and I will check them honestly with the Crafty versions 15.18 to 16.3. Just tell me in detail, please, which time controls and settings to use. My Email address is: Quisinsky@in trier.de One more thing: from what I know, Hans apologised for his mistake and should not be treated so roughly here even if it is your source code and even if a lot of your work is built in this code. We all know this and appreciate your interesting postings in this forum. But, please bear in mind that Hans has too has put in a lot of effort and implemented his ideas in the code. In any case you can contact Hans Secelle or exchange your experiences and perhaps Hans could contribute with a tip so that Crafty would continue to improve. I have hopefully done with this explanation and am back to our WinBoard tournament. In round 7 Crafty won its match against Comet 2.5-1.5 (Kai Skibbe is still running the remaining 4 games against Comet...) scoring thus a victory against its fearsome opponent -- as Comet has so far garnered more than 50% in its games against Crafty! Greetings from a fan of Amateur programs! P.S. I sat here the whole night trying to get everything right and my English was getting better, but is still rather lousy, so I had Djordje help me translate this text. Best wishes Frank
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