Author: Matt Frank
Date: 12:49:18 01/29/99
It is my position that we have now moved clearly into a dimension where software obtained for under $100 dollars can play at grandmaster level while played on hardware obtained for less than $2000. For example, it is my contention that my G3 233 Power Mac purchased in early '98 for much less than $2000, is a 2600 + rated elo performer (2610 give or take a few dozen points) using MAC Hiarcs 7. Other software, Fritz 5.32, Rebel 10 EOC--anti-grandmaster, and Chess Tiger 11 +, among others should be similarly endowed if they could play on my MAC. These other programs played on P2s with 400 MHZ processors should have similar or better results. The key question is this, when are we going to sweeten the pot sufficiently (i.e., cash prizes) so that Grandmasters rated FIDE between 2500-2650, will find it attractive to compete against our demons? A match like this would clearly demonstrate once and for all the present level of these hardware software configs. I know all about Rebel 9 against Yusupov, and Rebel 10--EOC--Anti-grandmaster against Anand. Yusupov is a 2650 player, and Anand is just shy of 2800 elo FIDE. In either case the human won under tournament conditions (40/2hrs.), which is the best playing speed for humans vs computers. I think that a 6 or 8 game match against a Grandmaster of decent reputation (e.g., Christiansen, Benjamin, Yermolinsly, de Firmian, etc) would be a strong test. I believe that my machine would not be at a disadvantage against any of these players at 40/2hrs. Of course quicker timed games would be to my systems' advantage. Therefore, the fairest test for a human against Hiarcs 7 G3 233 would be games at least all moves in 25 minutes or longer. Are there matches between human grandmasters and the latest software running on machines as fast as I have poroposed? Aside from the Deen Hergott vs Hiarcs 6 match (won by hiarcs 6 4-2 on a P2 200 64 Ram machine in 1997) I know of no other matches. Hergott is rated 2370 FIDE elo and is an International Master. If you assume that Hiarcs 6 on that machine was rated FIDE 2525 or so based on the SSDF ratings then the score was well within expectations (i.e., a score of 4-2 would be consistent with an elo diff of about 120 points, where in fact it is about 155 if you take the SSDF rankings as reasonable facsimiles of the FIDE elo ratings. Incidentially, when Hergott played this match he was actually rated at 2495 FIDE elo based on his 1996 ratings. My question is, can I get comments about how you all feel about these prospects? I'd prefer that we don't quibble about the ratings (even though I am sure many of you have serious doubts about my assumptions--I'd love to play this match to prove my point), rather, that we focus on how such a match may be culminated. Matt Frank
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