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Subject: Re: Benefits of non-DTM metrics

Author: Yakov Konoval

Date: 01:17:23 01/16/06

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On January 15, 2006 at 18:03:12, GuyHaworth wrote:

>
>Re the various metrics, the best initial position to take is a 'metric-neutral'
>one: understand that
>
>    - different metrics provide different information
>    - no metric has yet delivered 'obviously sensible' moves all the time
>    - different metrics take different times to compute
>    - different metrics lead to different-sized EGTs
>    - no strategy based on metrics alone optimises theoretical value
>          one has to finesse re the opponent's fallibility with a k-move rule
>
>However, in attempting to produce better and better strategies based on
>metric-based information from EGTs, [q.v. a recent paper by Bourzutschky,
>Tamplin and Haworth in the J of Theoretical Computer Science],  I find that I
>always need the DTZ information.  This is because, whatever else happens, one
>must not give the opponent the opportunity to claim a k-move draw in the current
>phase of play.  So one can only choose from the moves that do not allow this,
>provided there are some.
>
>It happens that the DTZ information gives the most compact EGTs and is quickest
>to compute too.  That is why it is the metric of choice for Yakov Konoval and
>Mark Bourzutschky.
>
>g

I fully agree with Mr. GuyHaworth. And I have 2 small notes:
1. Some other factors are important for EGT's size, not only the metric.
2. The time of generation EGTs in DTM-metric isn't much longer, than for
DTZ-metric, but I would say "What are benefits of DTM metrics" :-)
Maybe only for chess composers and chess records ?

It's not difficult to build EGTs in DTZ50-metric(instead of DTZ-metric),
but 50-move rule can be changed by FIDE (even kqrkq has maxDTZ>50).

IMHO, DTZ-metric is the most useful metric for chess knowledge.

YK



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