A question about the nature of chess.?

Question

In many books it says that at any given moment, there is one best move. (not counting situations where the order of the movement of pieces does not affect the outcome of a combination).
I would assume that the move Chessmaster 10 does is probably the best, or extremely close to being the best when the program isn't hurrying.
So I set up a game where the CH plays itself. Almost every time, one side wins, (sometimes they draw).
Now, let's say you get a super computer to play itself (one capable of looking 50 moves ahead, which is virtually impossible). Would the game always result in a draw? If not, then one side made a move that wasn't the best at one moment. If this is true, and let's say that after some official opening, than every move both sides did is the best, if one loses, then the mistake was in the opening.
So here's something interesting to think about, what's is greater an advantage, white's first move, or blacks chance to answer wisely to whites first move so that from:

...from then on, if both sides would make the best moves than black would win. Do you see what i'm saying?
The idea i'm thinking about is, if chess always has a best move, which seems logical, than if neither side makes a mistake in the middlegame, then the mistake must be in the opening. So maybe, some openings, while they seem theoretically correct, don't work for one side or another. What do you think?

Answer 1

I wonder if a computer could give you the answer

Answer 2

In response to the question about super computers playing each other:
It's my understanding that, in general, given enough time, computers could look as far ahead as possible in any given position. The fact that the game may not always end in a draw with two equally powerful computers playing comes from mainly the type of positions being played, for example open and tactical play, the type computers excel at, or closed and positional play, which computers are traditionally bad at. Another thing, perhaps perfect chess isn't a draw? Maybe no matter what, one side will always win, depending on the type of opening, positions, etc are played.

I think, from playing many games of chess, that on the lower levels of chess play, neither side really has real advantage over the other. On the upper echelons of chess, though, more often than either side winning, the game does end a draw.

As for mistakes being in the opening, i think that's what chess opening theory tries to eradicate. It always seems to go for a better way of play, a line that is winning for white and a line that is drawing for black, over many years 'repairing' the mistakes in theory by way of practical experience.

Answer 3

There is not always a "best move" in any given situation. Although all situations appear to have one, it is not necessarily true. The way that computers analyze situations causes them to play what they have been programmed to pick as the "best move". However, if you think about it, even the most experienced chess players make moves that may not be the "best move" possible in the given situation. Computers that play chess are programmed by human beings, and therefore their (I'm refraining from using the word "thinking", because computers don't think) calculations, although calculated deeply, may not be the absolute best possible move. There are billions of billions of possible situations, and therefore a computer simply would not be able to be programmed to recognize the "best move" in every situation. In the future, there may be a way to do this, but currently, there is not.

Answer 4

The theory that there is always a best move may not be true.

Usually this proposal is put forth when there is a tactical thing to do, such as capturing a piece.

However, most middle game position do not have "a best move". A player decides what best move to make based on his experience and preferences.

With the number of possible chess positions being more numerous than the number of atoms in the universe, it would seem that there is no way to even begin to determine a best move, or even trying to prove that a "best move" is available in all positions.

Rob

Answer 5

Chesmayne Chess Dictionary: as usual - the best is FREE!
http://homepage.eircom.net/~reidr1/index.html

Re: the nature of chess. Please see 'COMPUTER' section of the dictionary above - just click on the link?

PRINT any chess set & board in the world in under two minutes! Why not try playing on an 8 x 10 chess board instead of the usual 8 x 8?

50+ orthodox chess sets are now available - Western, Chinese, Korean, Burmese, Thai, Mongolian, Cambodian, Shatranj, Tori-Shogi 7x7, Shogi 9x9, Draughts/Checkers etc. You can also make/create your own chess board if you like? Go-to the 'Forum' for examples?

Many types of 8 x 8 board - colour coded for easy identification - including blockers! Why not try using an 8x8 board where the pawns promote on the 2nd and 7th ranks - squares are colour coded in purple for easy recognition?

A 'BLANK GHOST CHESS SET' is also available in the FORUM: allows you to invent your own chess pieces! All pieces are large/small triangles and useable on any board! Each piece is simply identified by a monogram and number ie, PA1, PA2, PA3, QU1, BS1, KT1, RO1 etc - simple and easy! Play Chinese & Japanese chess - no more hieroglyphics to deal with - become a global chess player?

TOOLS REQUIRED: a sharp scissors, a glue stick and small coins to act as weights. Extensive global chess dictionary.

Answer 6

You are running up against two things.

1) computers are not perfect.

2) Is white's first move advantage enough?


If God played God he'd decide his time is better spent dealing with something else.:)

Seriously, is it a draw, or would black not be able to mate white because white mated him first?

Who knows? (Besides Mr. Spock:))

Answer 7

If a supercomputer versed itself. It would never end or would end in a stale mate or something. Well thats what i think.

Answer 8

Are you always so long winded about these things, and I think you need to find a hobby.
For an answer,hmmm
Yeah, I think I do not really have a good answer for you, so, you just keep figuring...