Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 06:28:21 10/22/99
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On October 22, 1999 at 00:18:37, KarinsDad wrote: >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 :) Here is a point to ponder: Does having lots of mobility make the position "good"? Or does a good position have lots of mobility? IE is mobility the 'cause' of a good position or is it simply the 'effect' of a good position? I believe the latter is closer to the truth. Otherwise, moves like a4 would be _good_ moves because they instantly improve both the real and potential mobility of the a1 rook.
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