Chess Using Alpha-Beta
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Multilinear Algebra and Chess Endgames
Games of No Chance MSRI Publications Volume 29, 1996 Multilinear Algebra and Chess Endgames LEWIS STILLER Abstract. This article has three chief aims: (1) To show the wide utility of multilinear algebraic formalism for high-performance computing. (2) To describe an application of this formalism in the analysis of chess endgames, and results obtained thereby that would have been impossible to compute using earlier techniques, including a win requiring a record 243 moves. (3) To contribute to the study of the history of chess endgames, by focusing on the work of Friedrich Amelung (in particular his apparently lost analysis of certain six-piece endgames) and that of Theodor Molien, one of the founders of modern group representation theory and the first person to have systematically numerically analyzed a pawnless endgame. 1. Introduction Parallel and vector architectures can achieve high peak bandwidth, but it can be difficult for the programmer to design algorithms that exploit this bandwidth efficiently. Application performance can depend heavily on unique architecture features that complicate the design of portable code [Szymanski et al. 1994; Stone 1993]. The work reported here is part of a project to explore the extent to which the techniques of multilinear algebra can be used to simplify the design of high- performance parallel and vector algorithms [Johnson et al. 1991]. The approach is this: Define a set of fixed, structured matrices that encode architectural primitives • of the machine, in the sense that left-multiplication of a vector by this matrix is efficient on the target architecture. Formulate the application problem as a matrix multiplication. -
Introduction
Introduction One day, at the end of a group lesson on basic rook endgame positions that I had just given at my club, one of my students, Hocine, aged about ten, came up to ask me: «But what is the point of knowing the Lucena or Philidor positions? I never get that far. Often I lose before the ending because I didn’t know the opening. Teach us the Sicilian Defence instead, it will be more useful». Of course, I tried to make him understand that if he lost it was not always, or even often, because of his short comings in the opening. I also explained to him that learning the endgames was essential to progress in the other phases of the game, and that the positions of Philidor or Lucena (to name but these two) should be part of the basic knowledge of any chess player, in much the same way that a musician must inevitably study the works of Mozart and Beethoven, sooner or later. However, I came to realize that I had great difficulty in making him see reason. Meanwhile Nicolas, another of my ten-year-old students, regularly arrives at classes with a whole bunch of new names of openings that he gleaned here and there on the internet, and that he proudly displays to his club mates. They remain amazed by all these baroque-sounding opening names, and they have a deep respect for his encyclopaedic knowledge. For my part, I try to behave like a teacher by explaining to Nicolas that his intellectual curiosity is commendable, but that knowledge of the Durkin Attack, the Elephant Gambit or the Mexican Defence, as exciting as they might be, has a rather limited practical interest at the board. -
An Investigation Into the Openings Used by Top 100 Chess Players
ISSN:1306-3111 e-Journal of New World Sciences Academy 2007, Volume: 2, Number: 2 Article Number: B0001 HEALTH SCIENCES ENGLISH (Abstract: TURKISH) Ramiz Arabacı Received: January 2007 University of Uludag Accepted: April 2007 [email protected] 0H © 2007 www.newwsa.com Bursa-Türkiye AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE OPENINGS USED BY TOP 100 CHESS PLAYERS ABSTRACT The aim of study is an investigation into the openings used by top 100 chess players. The chess games (n=2046) that 70 players, who took part in Top 100 list, played during January-April 2006 period were examined. The frequencies and percentages of the openings used were calculated. Separating the chess players into five different age groups, the frequency values and percentages of the openings they used, and the winning, defeating, and drawing were calculated using the Chi-Square Test and evaluated statistically. In conclusion, it can be claimed that Top 100 players prefer Semi-Open Games most; the winning, defeating, and drawing percentages change depending on the increasing age and the kinds of openings played; and the best opening is Caro-Kann for Whites, French Defence for Blacks, and Petrof’s Defence for a draw. Keywords: Chess Players, Opening, Sports, Tactics TOP 100’DE YER ALAN SATRANÇ OYUNCULARININ AÇILIŞLARININ İNCELENMESİ ÖZET Çalışmanın amacı, top 100’de yeralan satranç oyuncularının uygulamış oldukları açılışları incelemektir. Top 100’de yer alan 70 satranç oyuncusunun oynamış oldukları Ocak-Nisan 2006 tarihleri arasındaki satranç maçları incelendi. Satranç oyuncularının ortalama yaş ve ELO hesaplandı, ülkelere göre sporcu sayısı ve uygulanan açılışların frekansları ve % değerleri çıkartıldı. Satranç oyuncuları 5 farklı yaş grubuna ayrılarak, uygulamış oldukları açılaş türleri ile galibiyet, mağlübiyet ve beraberliklerin frekansları ve % değerleri çıkartılarak istatistiksel olarak Chi-Square Testi ile değerlendirildi. -
Sticky Cultures: Memory Publics and Communal Pasts in Competitive
CUS7410.1177/1749975512473460Cultural SociologyFine 4734602013 Article Cultural Sociology 7(4) 395 –414 Sticky Cultures: Memory © The Author(s) 2013 Reprints and permissions: Publics and Communal Pasts in sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1749975512473460 Competitive Chess cus.sagepub.com Gary Alan Fine Northwestern University, USA Abstract Although examinations of social memory have largely focused on societies and large populations, much remembrance occurs within bounded publics. This memory, especially when it is held in common, ties individuals to their chosen groups, establishing an ongoing reality of affiliation. I term this form of memory work as sticky culture, recognizing the centrality of the linkage of selves and groups. To examine how sticky culture operates, I examine the social world of competitive chess with its deep history and rich literature. More specifically, I examine forms through which chess publics are cemented through remembrances of the past, focusing on the hero, the critical moment, and validated styles. Champions, memorable games, and recognized strategies establish a lasting public. Keywords chess, collective memory, communal, community, culture, groups, leisure, memory, tiny publics Chess gives not only contemporary fame, but lasting remembrance. To be a great chess player is to be surer of immortality than a great statesman or popular author . The chess player’s fame once gained is secure and stable. What one of all the countless chivalry of Spain is so familiar a name as Ruy Lopez? What American (except Washington) is so widely known as Paul Morphy? Chess, in fact, has lasted so long that we are sure it will last forever. Institutions decay, empires fall to pieces, but the game goes on. -
Chess Theory – Its Structure and Evolution
1 Chess Theory – Its Structure And Evolution Franco Pratesi Introduction When modern chess started to be played, there were several aspects tangled together. Nobody could understand it as a new game. Many el- ements of the classical chess game were indeed still present, so that it was rather a new way of playing a traditional game, alla rabbiosa, in a crazy way, with increased fight elements. In different places, changes in the rules occurred in different times; this is far from surprising if we consider that in addition to the moves of bishop and queen other changes involved castling, en passant capture, promotion, and so on. The same transformation can be differently seen, if considered from nowadays. In reflecting on the history of chess at the time, we have to try and reconstruct its environment as truly as possible. This is however not enough. We have to apply subsequent knowledge too, as now avail- able to us. Thus let us thus first examine the evolution of chess theory from the present point of view, then add some detail on the progress at the time and its guidelines, and then outline following developments. 1 – Retrospective view of chess theory Theory of one game A preliminary approach is required for defining any game, with its specific rules. From this point of view, it is not possible to speak of a game of chess. Many versions of chess have been played in various countries in the course of time; many different chess games have been further introduced and new ones continue to be described from day to day. -
B. Fisher Timeline.Indd
Fischer, Fischer, March 2005 October 1972 BOBBY FISCHER TIMELINE From “Most Famous Man in the World” to Notorious Recluse A S C E N T March 9, 1943: Born in Chicago, Illinois, January 1964: Competing in the U.S. to a homeless mother. Championship, now 20 years old, achieves a perfect score of 11 wins, no losses, and no May 1949: Living in Manhattan at age 6, taught draws—one of his greatest feats. chess by his sister, using a chess set purchased for $1. Shows instant progress and easily defeats his 1965: Makes international headlines, engaging in sister and mother. a back-and-forth exchange of combative cables with Fidel Castro, over a tournament he is to play January 1951: Plays against a chess master for the in Havana. Claims Cuba’s Prime Minister is using first time, and although he loses he’s inspired to his participation in the tournament for propaganda continue to play. “All I want to do – ever – is play purposes and threatens to drop out. chess,” he says. April 1970: In the World Championship Speed October 1952 to 1956: Masters several languages Tournament held in Yugoslavia, outplays all of the so that he can ultimately absorb more than 1,000 world’s greatest players. At the tournament’s end, books on chess theory. rattles off all 1,000 moves of the games he played, an unprecedented memory feat. July 1956: At age 13, becomes the youngest chess master in U.S. history. July to September 1972: Match against the Russian World Champion Boris Spassky, which he October 1956: Defeats an International Master in a ultimately wins, is seen as a metaphor for the Cold game so brilliantly played, it is dubbed “The Game War. -
Yermolinsky Alex the Road To
Contents Symbols 4 Introduction 5 A Sneak Preview into what this book is really about 7 Indecisiveness is Evil 7 Ruled by Emotions 12 Part 1: Trends, Turning Points and Emotional Shifts 18 A Really Long Game with a Little Bonus 20 Tr end-Breaking To ols 30 Burn Bridges Now or Preserve the Status Quo? 46 The Burden of Small Advantages 51 Surviving the Monster 58 Part 2: Openings and Early Middlegame Structures 65 The Exchange QGD: Staying Flexible in a Rigid Pawn Structure 67 What Good are Central Pawns against the Griinfeld Defence? 74 Side-stepping the 'Real' Benko 90 Relax; It's Just a Benoni 105 The Once-Feared Grand Prix Attack Now Rings Hollow 113 On the War Path: The Sicilian Counterattack 126 The Pros and Cons of the Double Fianchetto 142 A Final Word on Openings 154 Part 3: Tactical Mastery and Strategic Skills 161 What Exchanges are For 163 Classics Revisited or the Miseducation of Alex Yermolinsky 171 Back to the Exchanging Business- The New Liberated Approach 176 From Calculable Tactics to Combinational Understanding 183 Number of Pawns is just another Positional Factor 199 Let's Talk Computer Chess 216 Index of Openings 223 Index of Players 223 + check ++ double check # checkmate ! ! brilliant move good move !? interesting move ?! dubious move ? bad move ?? blunder +- White is winning ± White is much better ;!; White is slightly better equal position + Black is slightly better + Black is much better -+ Black is winning Ch championship G/60 time limit of 60 minutes for the whole game 1-0 the game ends in a win for White If2-lh the game ends in a draw 0-1 the game ends in a win for Black (D) see next diagram The book you are about to read is essentially a yourself as a chess-player. -
The Application of Chess Theory PERGAMON RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES
The Application of ChessT eory PERGAMON RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES The Application of Chess Theory PERGAMON RUSSIAN CHESS SERIES General Editor: Kenneth P. Neat Executive Editor: Martin J. Richardson AVERBAKH, Y. Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge Comprehensive Chess Endings Volume 1 : Bishop Endings & Knight Endings BOTVINNIK, M. M. Achieving the Aim Anatoly Karpov: His Road to the World Championship Half a Century of Chess Selected Games 1967-1970 BRONSTEIN, D. & SMOLYAN, Y. Chess in the Eighties ESTRIN, Y. & PANOV, V. N. Comprehensive Chess Openings GELLER, Y. P. 100 Selected Games KARPOV, A. & GIK, Y. Chess Kaleidoscope KARPOV, A. & ROSHAL, A. Anatoly Karpov: Chess is My Life LIVSHITZ, A. Test Your Chess IQ, Books 1 & 2 NEISHTADT, Y. Catastrophe in the Opening Paul Keres Chess Master Class POLUGAYEVSKY, L. Grandmaster Preparation SMYSLOV, V. 125 Selected Games SUETIN, A. S. I Modem Chess Opening Theory ' Three Steps to Chess Mastery TAL, M., CHEPTZHNY, V. & ROSHAL, A. Montreal1979: Tournament of Stars The Application of Chess Theory By Y. P. GELLER InternationalGrandmaster Translated by KENNETH P. NEAT PERGAMON PRESS OXFORD • NEW YORK • TORONTO • SYDNEY • PARIS • FRANKFURT U.K. Pergamon Press Ltd., Headington Hill Hall, Oxford OX3 OBW, England U.S.A. Pergamon Press Inc., Maxwell House, Fairview Park, Elmsford, New York 10523, U.S.A. CANADA Pergamon Press Canada Ltd., Suite 104, ISO Consumers Rd., Willowdale, Ontario M2J IP9, Canada AUSTRALIA Pergamon Press (Aust.) Pty. Ltd., P.O. Box 544, Potts Point, N.S.W. 2011, Australia FRANCE Pergamon Press SARL, 24 rue desEcoles, 75240 Paris, Cedex 05, France FEDERAL REPUBUC Pergamon Press GmbH, Hammerweg 6, OF GERMANY D-6242 Kronberg-Taunus, Federal Republic of Germany English translation copyright© 1984 K.P. -
Chess in the Park
Chess in the Park Historically… The history of chess spans over 1500 years. The earliest predecessor of the game probably originated in India, before the 6th century AD; a minority of historians believe the game originated in China. From India, the game spread to Persia. When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread to Southern Europe. In Europe, chess evolved into its current form in the 15th century. In the second half of the 19th century, modern chess tournament play began, and the first World Chess Championship was held in 1886. The 20th century saw great leaps forward in chess theory and the establishment of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Developments in the 21st century include use of computers for analysis, which originated in the 1970s with the first programmed chess games on the market. Online gaming appeared in the mid-1990s. Today chess is played at home, in parks, in tournaments and online, worldwide. What do I need to bring? Whenever going out to play in the park, weather is going to be a factor. But when it comes to equipment Chess Pieces and the Chess Board are all you need to play the game. When playing in the park, these items are usually provided but if you want to bring your own, feel free. And always bring a bottle a water, STAY HYDRATED! Ruth Cancela How to play: The first step in starting a chess game is learning how to properly setting up the board. The two armies oppose each other across the board, with the smallest pieces -- pawns -- manning each army's second row, and the larger pieces on the first row. -
101 Tactical Tips
0 | P a g e 101 Tactical Tips By Tim Brennan http://tacticstime.com Version 1.00 March, 2012 This material contains elements protected under International and Federal Copyright laws and treaties. Any unauthorized reprint or use of this material is prohibited 101 Tactical Tips Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................ 1 101 Tactical Tips Openings and Tactics ............................................................................................................. 2 Books and Tactics .................................................................................................................. 4 Computers and Tactics .......................................................................................................... 6 Quotes about Tactics ............................................................................................................. 9 Tactics Improvement ............................................................................................................ 12 Tactics and Psychology ........................................................................................................ 14 Tactics Problems .................................................................................................................. 16 Tactical Motifs ..................................................................................................................... 17 Tactics -
Ecember Frank James Arshall
, ECEMBER 1944 FRANK JAMES ARSHALL orn A 11,g. 10, 1877 'it" N u". 9, 1944 35 CENTS ubstripli on Rate IE YEAR $3 HARE THE J OYS of chess with yom' friends and relatives ! Give them the opportunity to S leaI'll the Royal Game and enjoy countl ess hours of happiness over the checkcl'ed board ! In troduce chess to others a nd help to spread intel'est in the Game of Kings! lIow ? By presenting your friends with Chl'ist mas Gift su bsc riptions to CHE SS REVIEW! E ven if Lhey know nothing about chess, this special ,s ub scription will bl'i ng them a complete course of in struction. Wilh- ench gift subscription we will include, free of charge, reprints of all the previous installments of " Let's Play Chess"- ou l' Picture Guidu to Chess-so that yOll!' friends ca n start this fascinating course from the beginning and learn how to play chess with the aid of this pic torial, self-teaching guide! This is something yOli /.: 1/.010 your friends will appr eciate, Just before Christmas they will re ceive the Decembel- issue of CHESS REVIEW and :.\]] the r epl"i nts of t he P icture Guide- a re"l Christmas package_ Then, as t hey receive the s ubsequcnt issues of CHESS RE VIEW , they will be reminded of you again a nd again_ As they fol low the installments of t he course and r ead all the other features of CHESS REVIEW t hey will be grateful to you fol' having introduced t hem to t he greatest game in the world_ You will have brought CHESS REVIEW THE PICTURE CHESS MAGAZ IJf[ them a li fet ime of pleas lll-e and happiness ! To each of your friends \\"e will also send the unique Chl'istmas Card reproduced Oil this page_ This c<lrd .announces your gift, tells YOLlI- friend t hat CHF;SS REVIEW is coming to him for onc, two 01' thl-ee years wi t h your best wishes and g't'eetings_ The cH. -
Chess Merit Badge
Chess Merit Badge Troop 344 & 9344 Pemberville, OH Requirements 1. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the history of the game of chess. Explain why it is considered a game of planning and strategy. 2. Discuss with your merit badge counselor the following: a. The benefits of playing chess, including developing critical thinking skills, concentration skills, and decision- making skills, and how these skills can help you in other areas of your life b. Sportsmanship and chess etiquette 2 Requirements 3. Demonstrate to your counselor that you know each of the following. Then, using Scouting’s Teaching EDGE, teach someone (preferably another Scout) who does not know how to play chess: a. The name of each chess piece b. How to set up a chessboard c. How each chess piece moves, including castling and en passant captures 3 Requirements 4. Do the following: a. Demonstrate scorekeeping using the algebraic system of chess notation. b. Discuss the differences between the opening, the middle game, and the endgame. c. Explain four opening principles. d. Explain the four rules for castling. e. On a chessboard, demonstrate a "scholar's mate" and a "fool's mate." f. Demonstrate on a chessboard four ways a chess game can end in a draw. 4 Requirements 5. Do the following: a. Explain four of the following elements of chess strategy: exploiting weaknesses, force, king safety, pawn structure, space, tempo, time. b. Explain any five of these chess tactics: clearance sacrifice, decoy, discovered attack, double attack, fork, interposing, overloading, overprotecting, pin, remove the defender, skewer, zwischenzug. c. Set up a chessboard with the white king on e1, the white rooks on a1 and h1, and the black king on e5.