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Subject: Re: Unfair Prejudice Against Computers?

Author: Charles Unruh

Date: 15:49:53 01/03/00

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 rt Silver
>>
>>Hi Albert,
>>
>>I am OK with you disagreeing with me - but please allow me to put forward some
>>evidence to support my case.
>
>If you didn't, what would I possibly have to disagree with? :-)
>
>>
>>Firstly, from where you've made your interjection, I assume that the point that
>>you disagree with is that computers would be expected to score about 80 Elo
>>points higher at active time controls than at tournament time controls. Please
>>correct me if I'm wrong.
>>
>>Now, Selective Search magazine has been published since 1985 (the web site is
>>http://www.elhchess.demon.co.uk/ ).
>>
>>I can't remember when, but in the past, an in-depth study of how different clock
>>settings affect the expected rating of a computer was published. In the current
>>issue (Dec '99 - Jan '00), as they do in every year end issue, they have
>>published summary tables of expectations how different time controls affect the
>>expected outcome. As everyone knows, computers will do relatively better at
>>faster time controls than human players will. Briefly, the results are as
>>follows:
>>
>>Tournament Chess:          Normal
>>Active Chess (G/30):       +80 Elo
>>Blitz Chess (G/5 or G/10): +200 Elo
>>
>>Selective Search was originally set up with the specific aim in mind of
>>providing more accurate information to chess computer consumers about the
>>strength of the machines, so they take the issue very seriously. At the present
>>time, their highest rating for a chess computer is 2620
>
>I'm sure they are very serious, but that doesn't make them right. I have never
>had the opportunity to read their publication, but as I understand it, their
>ratings include the SSDF ratings. As I don't think the SSDF ratings have any
>value towards deciding the relative strength of computers against humans, the
>very basis of their ratings becomes valueless in my opinion. Any calculations
>made from them would be equally futile, with all due respect. You want my gut
>feeling? On a 500 Mhz PC, the programs in 40/2 are playing a little over 2500.

A little over 2500 woul be what most all of us here would consider grandmaster
strength.

>They are outstandingly consistent in what they do, but conceptual chess will
>still be our greatest weapon against them. Conceptual positionally, and
>conceptual tactically. That's why some combinations, though relatively simple to
>calculate are beyond them for the moment.
>
>                                      Albert Silver
>
>
>>(though they state that
>>up to 60 Elo points could be added if one posseses a 500 Mhz PC).
>>
>>I'll leave it at that for now - but if this isn't good enough, I suppose I'm
>>going to have to rummage through my pile of old issues to look for the original
>>article about how these calculations were made.
>>
>>-g
>>
>>>> , then we must be saying
>>>>that right now the computers are about 2620 Elo - which isn't bad (if a little
>>>>lower than the 2664 - 2674 that SSDF seem to be saying Tiger can achieve).
>>>>
>>>>-g



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