good player?
2007-01-04 10:40:12 · 4 answers · asked by curious_inquisitor 1 in Games & Recreation ➔ Board Games
It's not really the sign of a good player to be able to make it into the middle game on "pretty even" terms, whatever THAT means...
Chess players are rated on their ability to win games, not on their ability to basically get through the opening without being mated.
Computer programs don't go for the quick mate. Only very weak players fall for quick mates, so getting to the middle game without being mated means you're not an extremely weak player. Computers develop their pieces, control the center, figure out your weak points, and attack accordingly.
It is in the middle game where tactics come into play the most. And tactics is typically the strongest part of a computer program's play. Therefore, simply making it to the middle game on pretty even terms doesn't mean much, as you're just getting into the computer's strongest area.
A better guage of your ability against the computer is if you can make it to the ENDGAME on even terms. If you can do this, it means you've been able to pretty much match the computer from a tactical standpoint.
Many computer programs are able to play perfect endgames, especially if the program has access to an endgame tablebase. Against such a program, you might be fortunate to obtain a draw.
But much more important (in endgame play) than the value of the pieces on the board is their position (especially in regard to passed pawns).
But simply making it to the endgame against a strong computer program simply means that you didn't blunder in a way that would allow the computer to mate you. There's no way to evaluate your playing strength simply based on that.
2007-01-04 13:35:08 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, probably not. Most computer chess games are programmed to let the player make at least 15 moves before losing. In the old days, programs used to win much more quickly, but then some kid killed himself after ChessMaster beat him in 6 moves and his family sued the company.
2007-01-04 11:31:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Guarding the middle is certainly a stategic objective; You're a good player only if you don't get mated (too many times).
2007-01-04 10:52:52 · answer #3 · answered by Hayseedless 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A better player can take even a one pawn advantage and make it win. So although it is encouraging, it may not be all that significant.
2007-01-04 12:03:49 · answer #4 · answered by Future Citizen of Forvik 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋