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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 10:15 |
 General Chess questions for TA and/or others...Its also for any other member to answer another club players question,not just TA!I may not always have the time to return the answer immediately,but I will try.Question about an opening?Book?Other?Ask away! |
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sixofspades 08-Apr-13, 15:23 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 07-May-13, 16:25.
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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 17:18 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 08-Apr-13, 17:25.
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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 17:24 |
Gavin... Well,to begin with there are many types of chess engines out there...some much better than others for "positional judgement/play".I have kept up with most of them.To begin with Gavin, Fritz 8 came out in 2003,so you definitely need to upgrade to a much better program if you want much better and deeper positional analysis.And for tactics and positional play/analysis...todays engines will simply smash fritz8 to shreds!And that also goes for the Shredder programs which were on the top of the lists a few years back...but no more!Even Fritz 12 or 13 compared to Fritz 8 is like night and day.For deep positional analysis,I would recommend either Houdini3 for multiprocessors or Deep Hiarcs 14.These two programs have state of the art positional and tactical advantages that much older programs simply did not have.In addition having for example,a quadcore over a duocore system or perhaps one of the new 6 or 8 core systems,will definitely speed up positional results and be able to search deeper into multipositions on the board,with proper time controls. I think it's pretty clear the GMs would win in a match consisting of many games. In some games, all of the GMs might miss a tactic that Houdini doesn't, but my understanding is that Houdini plays at perhaps a 2700-2800 level at the "most" in positional and strategic chess and 3100-3200+ tactically, so if the GMs have enough time to analyze the position at length they should be able to win with superior planning, endgame strategy, opening preparation, etc. But for the average correp player Gavin,Both Houdini or Hiarcs contain more than enough positional "juice" for you or I. But it depends on the time control. I've also heard from top GMs that using a team actually can reduce the strength of the GMs' play rather than improve it. In reality as long as the GMs are being completely honest and not consulting engine help of their own, they would still lose at CC time controls, because at those time controls, Houdini plays just as strong positional chess as any GM does, and plays tactics at a level beyond human comprehension.So the time controls do make a big difference,since deep positional analysis can be run for hours or days if desired with intercoolers and more. Some of the comments below,I have pasted and copied directly from the Houdini guide relative to positional play: "Houdini is a state-of-the-art chess engine for Windows combining outstanding positional evaluation with the most sophisticated search algorithm. The name Houdini was chosen because of the engine's positional style, its tenacity in difficult positions and its ability to defend stubbornly and escape with a draw – sometimes by the narrowest of margins. On the other hand Houdini will often use razor-sharp tactics to deny its opponents escape routes when it has the better position." In the new Tactical Mode Houdini 3 will prefer tactical instead of positional solutions. In tactical test suites the Tactical Mode will find more solutions and provide significantly faster solution times, often by a factor of 3 to 10. Position Learning The "Position Learning" mode will automatically save analysis results in a learning database that will be reused in future analysis. This is a more convenient, but less powerful method of using previous analysis results than the manual Save Hash/Load Hash operations of the previous point. With Position Learning Houdini will remember advantageous principal variations it has analyzed by storing them in a learning disk file, for reuse in later games or analysis. The feature is completely transparent to the user, once Learning is enabled the data will be saved and loaded automatically. The Position Learning is available in analysis and match play. But remember that it will only kick in for certain positions in which there is something to learn, i.e. when the score is significantly above the static evaluation of the position. In quiet, equal positions there's usually not much to learn. Position Learning works best for positions where a good move exists that raises the score significantly above the statistical evaluation. Learning is less useful and sometimes counterproductive for positions where many more or less equivalent moves exist and the goal is to avoid bad moves. To improve the efficiency of the learning the feature only kicks in when a certain positive scoring threshold is exceeded. By default this Learning Threshold is put at 10 centi-pawn (0.1 pawn). Although the learning file grows very slowly, make sure not to allow the file to grow too large as the automatic loading may slow down the engine at the start of the analysis. The impact of Position Learning can be illustrated as follows. When running the Eigenmann Ending Test Suite with 20 seconds/move on a single-core laptop producing about 1,000 kN/s, Houdini finds 77 out of 100 solutions, the total solution time is 12:06. The test run produces a Learning File of about 27 kB. Running the Test Suite a second time demonstrates the profit of the Learning File. Houdini now finds 80 solutions and the total solution time drops to 9:42. Houdini is available in a Standard version and Professional version for power users with high-end hardware. Houdini is written for Windows and will run on any not too ancient Windows version. On Linux you can run Houdini using Wine without any significant performance loss. Since December 2010 Houdini has been leading all the major Computer Chess rating lists and is widely considered to be the strongest chess engine on the planet. From numerous interviews it appears that many top Grand Masters including the current chess World Champion Viswanathan Anand use and appreciate Houdini. With Position Learning Houdini will remember advantageous principal variations it has analyzed by storing them in a learning disk file, for reuse in later games or analysis. The feature is completely transparent to the user, once Learning is enabled the data will be saved and loaded automatically. The Position Learning is available in analysis and match play. But remember that it will only kick in for certain positions in which there is something to learn, i.e. when the score is significantly above the static evaluation of the position. In quiet, equal positions there's usually not much to learn. Position Learning works best for positions where a good move exists that raises the score significantly above the statical evaluation. Learning is less useful and sometimes counterproductive for positions where many more or less equivalent moves exist and the goal is to avoid bad moves. To improve the efficiency of the learning the feature only kicks in when a certain positive scoring threshold is exceeded. By default this Learning Threshold is put at 10 centi-pawn (0.1 pawn). Although the learning file grows very slowly, make sure not to allow the file to grow too large as the automatic loading may slow down the engine at the start of the analysis. The impact of Position Learning can be illustrated as follows. When running the Eigenmann Ending Test Suite with 20 seconds/move on a single-core laptop producing about 1,000 kN/s, Houdini finds 77 out of 100 solutions, the total solution time is 12:06. The test run produces a Learning File of about 27 kB. Running the Test Suite a second time demonstrates the profit of the Learning File. Houdini now finds 80 solutions and the total solution time drops to 9:42. So Gavin,take my advice and toss that Fritz 8 out on the turnpike and let a thousand tractor trailers roll over it!Time to invest in a Porsche!Hope this helped a bit.I'm no programing expert,but I know how to "tweek"some engines.Contempt values(0,1 and 2) also play a key role in how todays programs perform both positionally and tactically.I do not think fritz 8 had a contempt selectivity,but its been so long that I used that program,I forgot.But even if it had contempt,it certainly could not compete with the contempt logistics in Houdini or other up to date programs. TA |
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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 17:32 |
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sixofspades 08-Apr-13, 18:08 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 07-May-13, 16:25.
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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 18:40 |
As I mentioned elsewhere,i'm more of a firm believer/user in tabletop computer systems...Mephisto,Tasc and other systems.And yes,some can store games in memory.There seems to be something lost in analysis by computer screen and software as opposed to playing,studying and learning on a real board,even if it is plastic or wood.I have improved by a few hundred rating points over the years playing on these monsters which came out long before the internet chess sites and computer PC's as we know today. And to show you how adept I am,I noticed that you started GK in 2003.That is the same year your new Fritz 8 came out!So there is the connection!I'll bet you forgot all about that! |
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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 18:49 |
On all software programs,even Fritz 8,I believe that you can lower the settings to such a low level that it "gives"you a piece or plays horrible at its beginner/learning levels.So,you should be able to beat your Fritz atleast once in a while!Can't guarantee that with the other "big boys" I mentioned above,but atleast you have the strongest tools available to analyze on the top levels or play computer matches as you mentioned.Just put your hands in front of your face,however,for when Houdini plays fritz 8 on any level,you will see blood shooting out of your monitor! |
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Real Boards I know what you're saying about real boards. When I replay my chess games or any game, I much prefer to play it through on a real board. Something about it I have always prefered. And I never played Fritz 8 much. I don't like playing computers but for some reason I find the 'infinite analysis' function facsinating. |
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tactical_abyss 08-Apr-13, 19:22 |
Now,its completely different,but I can remember many of the older programs NOT necessarily giving you the "best" move after 3 hours or even 24 hours!Many chess players are not aware of this fact....but TA is! |
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lumpy33 22-Apr-13, 21:15 |
mid-game i'd like to share some thoughts on where i feel my game hits the proverbial wall and hopefully i can get pointed in the right direction... fairly often in my games, after playing what i believe are decent openings (center pawns up, minor pieces developed, castled king, etc.), i find myself asking "what now?" around the 8 to 10 moves in mark. a lot of the time i end up playing reactionary chess based on what my opponent is doing, which doesn't serve me well against higher ranked players, but allows me to win my fair share against evenly matched opponents. if i do have the tempo, i know i'm supposed to be looking at attacking weaker squares and undefended pieces, but i have no tactical strategy other than "try and keep a good pawn structure and don't bring out the queen too early". i'll end up trading minor pieces and if i gain a positional advantage i don't see it. i try working with forks, pins, and revealed checks, but they seem to be easily countered as those individual tactics aren't part of a larger whole for my attack... i feel like games are won and lost mostly due to the strength or weakness of mid game tactics, and my mid game seems pretty aimless to me. any help with these issues would be greatly appreciated. thanks! |
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tactical_abyss 22-Apr-13, 21:36 |
I'm sure the club members or myself will be able to assist you as time goes on.Not alot of responding members yet because the club is fairly new,but i'm sure things will improve.I'll take a look at some of your games when I have a bit more time myself and make some recommendations!Perhaps readjusting your focus on more hidden areas of the weak squares while also shifting your cognition on where your own weak squares are in midgame may improve your play. |
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tactical_abyss 23-Apr-13, 04:16 |
lumpy33, I notice you mention about "tactics".How about long term positional strategies,rather than shorter term tactics?Have you given it much thought as to spotting a stronghold opponent position or a weaker key square of your opponent and trying to develop a long term plan that might involve as much as 20 moves of shuffling pieces around to reach that goal?Or do you sort of play move for move? Other questions would be are you aware of the point value changes in pieces and any of the theory behind(even a little)of how and why these changes occur? And for now,just one other question I pose for you... Without just looking up the definitions online or even looking at any of the club posts...are you aware of the differences between open,closed games,semi open games and the increased or decreased value of your Knights and Bishops relative to theses terms?If so,do you properly employ any proper technique at all that you can think of,that will increase the playing strength/value of those Bishops or Knights in any part of your game?I'll explain later,but just some questions for now. Just a few questions that I ask,before I check out any of your games in a week or two. Keep in mind lumpy,as I told others,i'm not here to be an official trainer/mentor...no time for that,but hopefully I will give you enough tips from time to time to better your game a bit!So,i'll give you some framework,some theory,something to help you at a crossroads in your game,but I will not be getting too deeply involved in any specific player in the club.You can also find many helpful chess tips of mine and others in the regular past forums by typing in the lower blank search link....gk/ and then a subject line,and google will run a search for you.I probably have a few hundred posts on many subjects in the regular forums. |
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Please expand... Are you talking about a goggle search? something on GK? I have never tried either of these, would like a better explanation. "regular past forums" "regular forums" are you talking about GK forums or all club forums? Thanks Fred |
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sixofspades 23-Apr-13, 07:16 |
Deleted by tactical_abyss on 07-May-13, 16:25.
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tactical_abyss 23-Apr-13, 07:20 |
Hi fred, type in: gk/ Then after that slant line you have to use your imagination and type in what you feel is the best word or series of words to best describe what you are searching for.If you do NOT type in gk/ first,what will happen is that you will end up getting a general google search over the entire spectrum of the internet,rather than just GK,which is not the goal of the search i'm describing. So lets say you are interested in a Trompowsky Attack opening and want to find out if anyone in the regular non club forums wrote anything about the Tromp.So then in order to find out that info you just type in: gk/trompowsky attack.And you can then scroll down a list of any Tromp subjects that were covered in the forums for atleast a year,maybe longer. Now,I do not think the narrowed down GK google search covers club forums,since it is on the page of the regular forums,but don't quote me on that!I'm not positive. |
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lumpy33 23-Apr-13, 07:32 |
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TA Things like that could be more useful in advancing chess, than changing colors and such. I often think someone could pay for there monthly cable/Internet/cell phone bill, if they would put together an e-book "Gameknot for Dummies", |
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tactical_abyss 23-Apr-13, 08:11 |
I don't know as much as say,kingdawar does on all the minute controlling issues on GK,but I try. Hey,you have one up on me anyway!How?Well,I have no idea how to make those little circle face icons appear like you do and/or how to change them!Now,thats more important than chess theory!Ha ha! |
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tactical_abyss 23-Apr-13, 08:12 |
Yes,as gavin mentioned,there are alot of opening theory books one can purchase.And theory has to be covered before memorizing book lines,for example.But either way,in order to get better,your going to have to get serious about understanding various chess concepts,especially point value variations in pieces,pattern recognition and more.Can you for example,move your Knight over several "L"'s on the board,like 7 or 8 positions ahead of time in your mind and place it on its final resting square...and do this is say 10 or 15 seconds?Pattern recognition practice evokes longer term positional strategies necessary for Corresp and OTB chess,as opposed to short term tactical moves of perhaps 3 or 4 moves ahead. Sometimes,as I have mentioned before,instead of reading a book which is good....but you might end up getting bored or start snoring...possibly do what I have done for years when I was getting better at chess....play against a tabletop chess machine.No,not some software program like Fritz on a computer screen,but a nice full board machine.If you do not have a good machine already,you can find used ones on Ebay for under a 100 bucks.The 3D board will help the brain to assimilate pattern recognition better and ideas rather than playing on a 2D computer screen.Plus alot of the "older"programs in those 1980-1990 machines have lower and more versatile strength settings.The newer software programs,even on the lowest settings,can be too much strength for some opponents,even on a 1000 level rating.Or in some cases they just "overblunder" and give a piece away early,which is not really playing decent enough challenging chess for the learner. Whats nice about the machine is that you can play/test alot of your tactics and strategies quickly,take you move back if/when you see a blunder you just made and learn from that blunder position.Some of the newer programs like Fritz,shredder and others certainly also have take back features,but like I said,getting the "better" 3D visual feel of your own movements and your tabletop computer opponent,is,in my opinion,a better way to train your mind to learn. Some machines even move their own pieces!So that makes it even easier...playing the invisible man! |
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lumpy33 23-Apr-13, 10:32 |
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tactical_abyss 23-Apr-13, 10:38 |
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lumpy33 26-Apr-13, 21:19 |
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tactical_abyss 27-Apr-13, 03:04 |
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tactical_abyss 02-Jul-13, 09:07 |
I'm always happy to try and improve your game a bit whether your 1000 rated or 2300 rated.But I cannot even begin to do this without atleast some of your input/questions and your own posts.And any club member is free to post anything they like,except political or religious issues.Any question will never be looked down upon or ridiculed for being silly.Some players do not even know what En passant is...and thats ok.But some members have had zero input and have not even introduced themselves.Your free to write nothing,but getting involved is even better!Otherwise,I ask you,why did you join a club?By humorous analogy,its like going into a club bar,sitting on a bar stool and staring at the wall,not having a drink and not saying a word.So why did you come into the bar club?To stare at the liquor bottles?See?Ha ha! So keep in mind that even though I am 2500+rated,do not become intimidated by my rating and if you truly want to improve your game,you must become a bit more active for me to have a proper direction to help you out.No,i'm not going to be your ongoing personal chess instructor or mentor,but kind of direct you down the right road to better success in your games whenever possible.But YOU,not me must make that possible through input.Just reading my posts will not be enough to help you out properly.Don't know what to ask?I'm sure you can begin to think of something! TA |
