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Subject: Re: Detecting backward pawns

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 21:00:43 06/17/99

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On June 17, 1999 at 00:10:11, James Robertson wrote:

>I am trying to find the most efficient way to detect backward pawns, either with
>bitboards or the more conventional piece array. Any help is greatly
>appreciated!!
>
>James


I would suggest that you look at EvaluatePawns() in evaluate.c in crafty.  I
don't do 'backward pawns'.  Rather, I do a more general assessment of 'weak
pawns'  A pawn that can't advance without being attacked 1 more time than it
is defended is weak.  One that can't advance without being attacked two more
times than it is defended is _really_ weak.  These attacks only consider
pawns of course.

The normal case many miss is (say) black pawns at c5/a5, white pawns at
a2/b2.  The b pawn is weak because it is undefended by a pawn at present,
and can't safely advance either...

there are others, but what you are interested in finding is 'targets' that
will need attention throughout the game, as these are weaknesses that distract
pieces for defense..



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