Author: James T. Walker
Date: 06:08:21 02/28/00
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On February 27, 2000 at 11:50:43, blass uri wrote: >On February 27, 2000 at 09:46:22, Mike S. wrote: > >>On February 27, 2000 at 03:04:05, Tom Kerrigan wrote: >> >>>I don't think exact adherence to these rules is necessary. >> >>No? You may want to try this position with your computer: >> >>Zepler # in 4 - [+1430.04e5e8] >>Die Schwalbe, 1929 >> >>[D]r3k3/2Qp3R/1p6/1b2K3/4p3/8/5p2/8 w q - 0 1 >>1.Kd4 (threats 2.Qe5+ and 3.#) [1.Qd6? 0-0-0] 1...Ra4+ 2.Ke5 Ra8 3.Qd6 1-0 >> >>I was busy with this issue when a wrote a short article for CSS 4/1995. All the >>programs I tested then, didn't apply the correct rule (Fritz 3, Rebel 6, W Chess >>1, Genius 3 and Hiarcs 3). It was remarkable that the mistake happened in >>problem mode also. > >This is really a problem but most programs are not for solving problems but for >playing. > >> CB's Mate 2.0-engines handles it correctly. >>Btw., I'm sure programmers know the rule very well of course, but when it's >>disregarded it is been done to gain more search speed I think. I have never >>heard of any important, or not even unimportant, game where this would have >>mattered. >>But if this would happen (incorrect claim of a draw, program refuses to >>continue), I think there would be no special tournament rules for this and the >>unavoidable anger, dispute and scandal would follow. > >There are clear rules that if the program does not do a move and claims a draw >incorrectly when there is no draw then it loses on time. > >There will be no scandals but only a loss. > >I guess the practical chance that it happens in a game is less than 0.00001 >and it is more productive to fix other problems. > > Such things usually arise >>in the most important game of a championship. I will be amused... > >There is no reason that they arise in the most important game. >The chances are the same for every game. > >Uri Hello Uri, It is my opinion that this attention to detail is what separates the good programs from the "wanna bees". After all, I can take the chess board and chess pieces and change the rules enough to suit me and end up playing checkers. Just because you are playing with chess pieces on a chess board does not make it chess. That's what the rules are for! If you do not follow all the rules you are playing a variation of chess not chess. I run into this all the time with golfers who decide which rules they will follow and which rules do not suite them at the moment. It is the reason I stopped playing tournament golf. Jim Walker
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