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Subject: Re: Unfriendly computer blitz

Author: Chuck

Date: 15:55:59 12/07/99

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On December 07, 1999 at 16:54:15, Ricardo Gibert wrote:

>On December 07, 1999 at 14:22:19, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>On December 07, 1999 at 00:01:08, Ricardo Gibert wrote:
>>
>>>On ICC, I often see computers winning games against strong players by
>>>"unfriendly" means. Consider what happens when the position is dead drawn, >>>but the computer player does not realize this and makes an unending series of
>>>aimless moves that drains the human opponent of time on his clock. It isn't >>>any secret that computers have "faster reflexes". This is boring and inflates >>>the apparent strength of the program.
>>>
>>>I propose that computer programs should offer/accept draws when the following
>>>conditions hold:
>>>
>>>1) There have been no pawn moves or captures played by
>>>   either side over the past 10 ply played. Of course
>>>   the 50 move rule counter is perfect for this.
>>
>>This is total nonsense.  I have seen _many_ games where no pawn move or
>>capture was played over a 5 move (10 ply) stretch.  This has _nothing_ to
>>do with the game called "chess".
>
>Please explain why you consider this to be total nonsense. It is clear that >this >is reliable indicator of whether substantive change has taken place on >the >chessboard.

I'm afraid I have to agree with Ricardo on this issue. It is certainly true that
alot of drawn games are won "inappropriately" by computers. Think for a moment
of such a game (we've all seen them) and how you'd react if you were the human
and some other human were on the other side of the board being so stupid. If it
were I, I'd be upset. I'm sure we'd have words. I don't think it's enough to
give computers the excuse that they can't recognize the draw. Our goal should be
to make them recognize the draw first. And actually, in real tournaments these
days you CAN do something about, you can claim your opponent has insufficient
winning chances. This should be implemented in programs, in some way, and it may
vary considering the program and it's eval. But it should be done, 1st because
it's not really fair or right, but even moreso, because it's really poor
etiquette.

And as far as the game of chess goes, when I start a game, I expect both myself
and my opponent to obey certain rules of etiquette.



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