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Subject: Really wierd idea: Pawn value as a function of position...

Author: Dann Corbit

Date: 19:35:16 08/03/99


Has anyone tried something like this for pawn value:
ranks advanced = 0, value = 1.000 = 100 centipawn
ranks advanced = 1, value = 1.000
ranks advanced = 2, value = 1.013
ranks advanced = 3, value = 1.065
ranks advanced = 4, value = 1.299
ranks advanced = 5, value = 2.547
ranks advanced = 6, value = 10.347

This is derived from the following formula:
pawn_value = 1.0 + (ranks_advanced! - 1.0) * .013;

I believe that the value of a pawn is a factorial of the number of squares it
has advanced...

The reason that I think such a scheme is reasonable is as follows:
A pawn gains very little value on the first two moves, except some control of
the forward squares.  However, a pawn two squares from queening is a problem,
and a pawn one square from queening is a *big* problem.  You would gladly tie up
a knight to prevent queening, I think.  Hence, it's value is nearly the value of
the knight.  And, at the moment of queening, it is worth slightly *more* than a
queen.  The reason it is worth more than a queen is that it can become a queen,
or another piece -- if that is advantageous.  A queen cannot do that.  So, the
moment it lands on the promotion square it has a value of something just over
10.

Thoughts?





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