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Subject: Re: Single Computer Testers! PB Off and Didzis formula accurate?

Author: Shep

Date: 05:52:20 08/27/99

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On August 27, 1999 at 05:53:46, Terry Ripple wrote:

>I was on Didzis site and saw his formula rules for playing matches on a single
>computer. First he recommends turning permanent brain off,which i usually do.
>The next rule is using his formula to figure out how much computing power is
>being used by the second engine that is inactive in the background while the
>other engine is active. I was wondering how necessary these two rules are and do
>they definitly make the match more fair? What are your feelings about this?

His formula is mathematically sound.

Of course it is very often unnecessary to even consider this because just about
all major programs are very friendly with regard to hogging the CPU when idle.
A 2% influence means next to nothing if expressed in ELO points.

The only caveats for today's programs are:

Nimzo 98 (possibly Nimzo 99 native GUI as well):
	* use "Set up position" to stop Nimzo from hogging the CPU
Chessmaster 5500/6000:
	* call menu "Game Details" to stop CM from hogging the CPU
CSTal II
	* upgrade to version 2.03 and use "PB off" switch or
	* hold down "Alt" and press "s" rapidly 4 times to stop CST
Virtual Chess II
	* no trick known to me :-((
Zarkov 5 inside Genius 6
	* you must disable PB again after every move from the "Engine Options" menu

I worked out most of these tricks and they have worked well for Didzis in his
tournaments.

Taking all this into account, the matches will be fair (at least within the
margins of playing with PB off, but I think it's OK).

---
Shep






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