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Subject: Re: thinking on opponent's time

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 06:38:29 02/13/99

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On February 13, 1999 at 02:11:20, blass uri wrote:

>
>On February 12, 1999 at 22:09:14, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>On February 12, 1999 at 12:18:29, James B. Shearer wrote:
>>
>>>On February 12, 1999 at 10:19:27, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>it has a definite strength advantage.  Because if you predict well, and
>>>>50% of your moves are 'zero time moves' then the program has become 2x
>>>>faster, because it gets twice as long to search.  And 2x is a measurable
>>>>speed increase...
>>>
>>>      That should be 1.5 times faster.  You are effectively using .5 of your
>>>opponents time as well as yours.  Your argument above is wrong because you only
>>>get twice as long to search for half your moves.
>>>                           James B. Shearer
>>
>>
>>not if you do it right.  IE if I _know_ I am thinking on my opponent's time,
>>I can use that time before I save it.  As I do right now in fact, because
>>I don't want to get to move 40 (time control) with a lot of time left over,
>>and I don't want to have 30 minutes to burn on move 40 when that is usually
>>an endgame position.
>>
>>But think about the simple math.  If on 1/2 of the moves, I get a reply
>>instantly, that really boosts my time, by 50% if I only predict 50%.  Against
>>computers I usually get more like 75%.  But when I mis-predict, they usually
>>get it right so they start saving time and not me... as even when I predict
>>right, I have to use the normal amount of time overall...
>
>You ignore the fact that you cannot use the permanent brain to be 2 times faster
>in your opponent's time.
>
>Playing without permanent brain is similiar to having 50% less time with
>permanent brain (assuming  you predict 50% of the moves)
>
>Playing without permanent brain is not similiar to being 50% slower with
>permanent brain because if you are 50% slower then you are 50% slower also in
>the opponent's time.
>
>Uri


Maybe I didn't word that so well.  The idea is that I am _certain_ I am going to
predict at least 50% of a good opponent's moves.  But I don't have to wait until
I do before I use that extra time.  I can use it _before_ I save it, knowing I
am going to save it.  And if I don't, I am pretty sure I am going to win anyway
because the opponent is going to have to be pretty weak.

But I agree, 50% predictions returns 50% more time.  Total = at least 1.5X,
if you ignore the 'phasing' that occurs when your opponent predicts _your_
move.



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