20.08.2007 01:07, Chess One:

Computer vs. human matches is an unfair competition while the computer
has recourse to a huge opening library. Thus, the program doesn't need
to know much about play in the first phase of the game.

Or anything, It plays moves it cannot calculate for itself, otherwise, ipso
facto, it wouldn't need the book.

It is probably stronger with a book than without. That doesn't mean a
program can't do without.


[1] Why did you post this to rec.games.chess.misc and not to
rec.games.chess.computer?

Because computer geeks don;t understand the game at all, and its hard to
find even an 1800 player in their ranks.

You mean people like the programmer of Rybka, International Master Vasik
Rajlich? Are computer admistrators incluced by your definition of
"geeks" - as International Grandmaster Gerald Hertneck? In fact the
percentage of chess players earning their life in the software industry
is quite high.

Every now and again there is some pretence that the fact chess engines can't
play chess from move 1 doesn't even matter )))

When Hydra smashed Adams, it had only a very shallow opening book. It
wasn't move one - but definitely not a book reaching into the
middlegame. The Hydra-team is convinced, that their program does better
going its own path. When Rybka was playing his last two matches with
odds - do you think the Rybka-team set up a sophisticated opening book
for such starting positions?

Greetings,
Ralf