Author: Melvin S. Schwartz
Date: 08:22:12 01/30/99
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On January 29, 1999 at 19:18:36, José de Jesús García Ruvalcaba wrote: >On January 29, 1999 at 19:06:33, Melvin S. Schwartz wrote: > >>In your review of the Novag Diamond 11, you stated that Selective Search added >>about 100 points to the rating of that machine. You claimed that Novag stated >>that and that from your experience it was true. I own a Mephisto atlanta - which >>you haven't reviewed yet and has a Swedish ELO rating of 2280 which is higher >>than the Novag rating of 2220 - and when I contacted a Saitek tech guy in Hong >>Kong, he said that Brute Force was stronger than Selective Force and gives a >>higher rating. In the manual of my Mephisto, it states: >>"The program in this chess computer normally uses a Selective Search algorithm. >>This allows the computer to see combinations that would otherwise take much >>longer to compute. Turning this option off by choosing -SEL makes the program >>switch to a powerful Brute Force algorithm. This search method minimizes the >>risk of an occasional oversight. >>Note: The Problem Solving Levels always use the Brute Force method." >> >>Since the Novag Diamond 11 has both Selective Search and Brute Force, it would >>appear that someone is wrong! What is interesting is the fact that the Mephisto >>uses Brute Force in the Problem Solving Levels. However, that is not playing a >>game of chess from the start. But the manual does indicate that the Brute Force >>option takes longer but will minimize an occasional oversight and states that >>Selective Search computes faster. Since Brute Force spends MORE time analyzing >>the position, wouldn't it then seem logical that Brute Force is stronger and >>would produce a higher chess rating? Your comment or anyone elses would be >>appreciated. >>Thank you, >>Mel > > The brute force method will NOT spend more time to move on *average*. Both >search alforithms have different policies to manage the time they are allotted, >that is the difference. Thank you for responding. But you didn't answer the question as to which method is superior? The tech guy from Saitek in Hong Kong said the Brute Force method would result in a higher chess rating for the chess computer. This would indicate that Brute Force is indeed the way to go. Unfortunately, there are people who disagree - IM Larry Kaufman who has not as yet responded to my query to him - and this issue is somewhat confusing. IM Larry Kaufman in his review of the Novag Diamond claimed that Novag said Selctive Search ON would increase its strength and IM Larry Kaufman agreed from his experience. Now, IM Larry Kaufman has not reviewed my Mephisto atlanta which has a higher Swedish rating than the Novag and therefore, who knows who is correct? IM Larry Kaufman? The Saitek tech guy in Hong Kong? Who knows???
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