Author: guy haworth
Date: 10:44:13 09/14/99
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I don't want to start a long thread on this but the question was raised about
whether the use of EG-databases is 'cheating' or not.
The rules of play for GK-v-ROW on the MSN Game Zone have not been published but
the use of computers is very definitely ok.
a) the web is being used to create a World team which is working as a team
b) the game is 'open book' including computer 'books' on openings/endings
b) the analysis notes that any 5-man EG is check v Ken Thompson EG-dbs
d) both GK and the WT can run up any EG-database they choose as relevant
Irina Krush has certainly noted that the computers have not been much help so
far on the analysis and justifiably derives some pleasure from the fact that the
great quality of the game has been humanly-derived. I second that. So if the
endgame is worked out by humans, that is a 'human achievement', and if value is
added by 'computer perfection', that is a result too.
So, I don't feel that rules are being broken or chess 'killed' by the gradual
eating up of the game by EG-db-generation 'from the back'. V few games reach
7-man endings and anyway, as a bi-product of the EG-db-generation, many
fascinating chess positions are uncovered -
zugzwangs, under-promotions, deep and inconceivable wins
deepest 'problem' (in FIDE sense) endings for each endgame profile ...
Interestingly, not all computers use the available 5-man EG-dbs. At the last
WCCC, two computers got into a KQPKQ (?) ending which oscillated from a
theoretical draw to a win and back ... and back. In the end, the stronger side
won but it was in doubt until the end.
[ Independent second-sourcing of results would be good so that we REALLY know
that what the computers are telling us is likely to be right. ]
I hope this puts your mind at rest. Rgds, Guy
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