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Subject: Re: Evaluating Mobility

Author: KarinsDad

Date: 21:18:37 10/21/99

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On October 21, 1999 at 22:14:01, Dave Gomboc wrote:

>On October 21, 1999 at 17:25:32, KarinsDad wrote:
>
>>The problem is not one of how many squares can a piece move to, but rather how
>>many squares can a piece move to safely. Additionally, if you analyze GM games,
>>you will notice that a square that does not really look safe, is safe due to
>>some condition of the board. However, I just let the search engine take care of
>>that one.
>
>The problem is even bigger than this, of course.  It doesn't really matter how
>many squares a piece can safely move to, what matters is whether it can continue
>to do something useful, or move to somewhere where it can do something useful.
>
>Dave

Depending on the position, this is true.

I look at a chess program as something with which you attempt to make moves
while weakening your position the least and hindering your opponent's position
the most. Mobility, especially in the opening and middlegame probably does that
right behind material and possibly piece overprotection. There are probably more
factors than we can even count and the weight of any given factor depends
heavily on the position. But, with bitboards, I think that safe square mobility
is something that can quickly be calculated, similar to material being quick to
calculate.

I consider it a positional tactic (due to the possibilities for future good
moves it presents) as opposed to a material gain tactic and I consider the cost
to calculate it small.

KarinsDad :)



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