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Subject: Re: IM Larry Kaufman's material values...Chess Life, March 1999

Author: Peter McKenzie

Date: 13:54:14 06/29/99

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On June 29, 1999 at 09:44:23, John R. Menke, Sr. wrote:

>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>In March 1999 Chess Life magazine, IM Larry Kaufman presented his research into
>the relative material values of the chess pieces based upon statistical research
>using a database of nearly 300,000 games where both players had FIDE ratings of
>at least 2300.  His summarized values were as follows:
>Pawn = 1
>Bishop Pair = +1/2

I though he said the bishop pair was worth +1/4, could you please check this?

>Bishop = 3 1/4
>Knight = 3 1/4
>Rook = 5
>Queen = 9 3/4
>He says these values agree with the statistics within about 1/8 pawn accuracy in
>nearly every case tested.  He also suggested a possible slight bias in favor of
>the Queen, which could be valued at 9 1/2 instead.  I'm curious if these values
>have been tested with chess playing computer software vs different values?
>
>With Chessmaster 6000 I have come up with the following approximation which I'm
>testing, and have dubbed it the "Kaufman-Menke" values:
>Pawn = 1
>Bishop = 3.3
>Knight = 3.2
>Rook = 5
>Queen = 9.7
>
>In comparison I believe that Terry Ripple is using the following values (dubbed
>"CM6555") for his tests with CM6000:
>Pawn = 1
>Bishop = 3.5
>Knight = 3.3
>Rook = 5.5
>Queen = 10
>
>And I understand that Shep's values are as follows:
>Pawn = 1.1
>Bishop = 3.5
>Knight = 3.3
>Rook = 5.5
>Queen = 10
>
>In a related note, I recently encountered the following interesting position
>which I believe might be a useful benchmark position in some of these tests
>regarding the relative values of Bishop and Knight.  Slight changes in their
>material values will determine the subsequent course of the game.  In one case
>the Bishop will be exchanged for Knight, or it will be retreated because it is
>slightly more valued.  The position arises after the following moves:
>
>1 d4 Nf6, 2 Nf3 d5, 3 e3 e6, 4 Bd3 c5, 5 c3 Nc6, 6 Nbd2 Bd6, 7 0-0 0-0, 8 Re1
>e5, 9 dxe5 Nxe5, 10 Nxe5 Bxe5, 11 Nf3 Bg4, 12 Be2 ...
>
>The question is:  Should black play 12...Bxf3 or retreat the bishop to d6 or c7?
> A slight change in the relative material values of the Bishop and Knight causes
>Chessmaster 6000 to make different decisions here.
>
>All comments welcome...
>
>John Menke
>
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