Komodo vs. Movsesian

[Ferdy]

The handicap is: four games at the traditional "pawn and move"

Could you describe what is that?

Very simple: computer plays Black with f7 pawn missing.

So how this is scheduled?
Is it first day, 3 games with pawn handicap, followed by 1 pawn handicap
and 2 games exchange handicap in the second day?

[Ozymandias]

The main interest, besides watching "normal" chess games, would be to determine at what speed, can engines play moves of comparable strength to those of a 2600-2700 class GM. Several studies have been published, that touch the topic somewhat, but to my knowledge, no match under those circumstances has ever been played; that would be the only way to really answer the question.

[lkaufman]

The handicap is: four games at the traditional "pawn and move"

Could you describe what is that?

Very simple: computer plays Black with f7 pawn missing.

So how this is scheduled?
Is it first day, 3 games with pawn handicap, followed by 1 pawn handicap
and 2 games exchange handicap in the second day?

f7, exchange, f7 handicap first day. Same on second day. Maximum variety!

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

Hi Larry,

Excuse me if it seems that I rain on your parade but why do you keep on organizing these stupid handicapped matches that have nothing to do with the great game of chess !?

Please don't percept this as a a personal attack but you of all people in this forum should know that a normal game of chess is priceless even if Komodo crushes,and he will,the GM with a perfect score....

These handicapped matches are an abomination of the classic game of chess and doesn't prove or state anything....If they do FIDE would apply them among the human players....

Now time odd matches is another story....Give the GM double or triple the time for thinking but let him play normal chess....

Just my two cents regards,
Dr.D

I grew up reading the stories of Paul Morphy's playing matches giving pawn and move to many of the world's leading players, and even knight odds to some of America's top players. There are also countless games and matches by Staunton and Steinitz at these handicaps (and Exchange handicap in the case of Staunton). There are recorded handicap games by several of the World Champions after Steinitz, and Bobby Fischer is known to have played hundreds (if not thousands) of games giving pawn and move or moves to masters. Even Kasparov played a two pawn handicap match. To me handicap chess is very much a part of our classical chess heritage. I myself have played thousands (literally) of handicap games. I much prefer to stick to the classical handicaps when it is reasonable to do so. In my opinion, the only interesting match we could have with a top GM that did not modify the starting position wold be to give him White pieces, draw odds, and no opening book for the computer. I hope we can try that eventually.

Thanks Larry,that would be great....
Dr.D

[Ferdy]

The handicap is: four games at the traditional "pawn and move"

Could you describe what is that?

Very simple: computer plays Black with f7 pawn missing.

So how this is scheduled?
Is it first day, 3 games with pawn handicap, followed by 1 pawn handicap
and 2 games exchange handicap in the second day?

f7, exchange, f7 handicap first day. Same on second day. Maximum variety!

Thanks my prediction would be,
day 1
r1: 0-1
r2: 1-0
r3: 1/2

day 2
r4: 1/2
r5: 1/2
r6: 1/2

Komodo score: 4/6

[Laskos]

In my opinion, the only interesting match we could have with a top GM that did not modify the starting position wold be to give him White pieces, draw odds, and no opening book for the computer. I hope we can try that eventually.

Thanks Larry,that would be great....
Dr.D

Not that great. There are 500 ELO points real big-time difference in strength, hard to compensate by book and color, and with draw odds, if the only strategy is to block positions, then I would rather watch Pablo. Time handicap is again boring, the time handicap is such that engine has to play ultra-fast games, and who cares if Komodo plays 15 seconds/game or 40 seconds/game? Even specialists would disagree and will lose the gut feeling. I think Larry's material handicaps are the most illustrative for the mass of better chess players.

[Ozymandias]

who cares if Komodo plays 15 seconds/game or 40 seconds/game?

I do.

[lkaufman]

who cares if Komodo plays 15 seconds/game or 40 seconds/game?

I do.

Kai (or someone else) could answer that question by playing a huge time handicap match between Komodo 9.2 and one of the engines that drew matches with Kasparov or Kramnik in the early 2000s.

[Ozymandias]

who cares if Komodo plays 15 seconds/game or 40 seconds/game?

I do.

Kai (or someone else) could answer that question by playing a huge time handicap match between Komodo 9.2 and one of the engines that drew matches with Kasparov or Kramnik in the early 2000s.

Humans didn't play differently against engines, back then. Everyone knows better these days. That's why you can't assume Komodo to be 3300-3400, just because it's 500 points ahead of older Fritz and Junior versions. I expect the GM to try and close everything, even with white.

[lkaufman]

who cares if Komodo plays 15 seconds/game or 40 seconds/game?

I do.

Kai (or someone else) could answer that question by playing a huge time handicap match between Komodo 9.2 and one of the engines that drew matches with Kasparov or Kramnik in the early 2000s.

Humans didn't play differently against engines, back then. Everyone knows better these days. That's why you can't assume Komodo to be 3300-3400, just because it's 500 points ahead of older Fritz and Junior versions. I expect the GM to try and close everything, even with white.

He won't succeed in closing everything, if playing against latest Komodo with high contempt set.