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Subject: Re: The truth about chess programs

Author: Tony Nichols

Date: 03:01:31 04/22/05

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On April 22, 2005 at 05:51:29, Peter Berger wrote:

>On April 22, 2005 at 03:39:06, Tony Nichols wrote:
>
>>The programs perform as well as they do because they are very good at tactics
>>and most importantly they have huge opening books. I know this is a
>>controversial topic but if we really want to test the strenght of programs, then
>>have them play against strong humans without opening books.
>
>I consider the opening book of current top programs as one of their main
>weaknesses, and I am surprised that this argument is so popular.
>
>Even a player of about 1800-2000 will often know (important) things about his
>pet line he won't find in any computer opening book, not to talk about titled
>players or grandmasters. And the books also contain blunders the program would
>never play on its own.
>
>Opening books are still useful, but the opening book of an Anand, Kasparov or
>Kramnik is something completely different.

Hi, Peter
This is a complex subject. On one hand opening books are a huge benefit to
computers when playing against humans. Most of the time they keep the engines
from getting a very bad middlegame. On the other hand bad book moves can kill
the best engine. I personally can attest to not knowing anything about my pet
lines:) Seriously, In my experience many masters play poor openings. So overall
a book is definitely a benfit for computers.
Regards
Tony



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