Random neutral .abk book for Arena?

[David Dahlem]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good "neutral" opening book to use in Arena tournaments to test engine strength. In other words, a book that will be fair to both sides, so that one engine will not have an unfair advantage due to the opening book lines. I would like a book that is not too deep, preferebly not over 20 half moves, even less would be fine. And the lines chosen by Arena should be totally random.

Which book do you Arena experts recommend?

Regards
Dave

[Graham Banks]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good "neutral" opening book to use in Arena tournaments to test engine strength. In other words, a book that will be fair to both sides, so that one engine will not have an unfair advantage due to the opening book lines. I would like a book that is not too deep, preferebly not over 20 half moves, even less would be fine. And the lines chosen by Arena should be totally random.

Which book do you Arena experts recommend?

Regards
Dave

HS-Classic 10moves 2.0.abk
HS-12moves.abk
Xmas2640.abk

Those are my favourites for CCRL testing.

[Mike S.]

The Xmas2640.abk does not play totally random, but it has more variety (in other words, not that often the Sici and Ruy like with the usual books, and various other openings more often). The maximal length is 28 plies, but in practise most book variations it plays will be much shorter.

http://members.aon.at/computerschach/li ... #downloads

The Xmas2640.abk ranks 3rd in S.Canbaz' book tournament results for Arena (see second table), and the version in Shredder book format ranks very good in the main list, currently. Some seldom played openings like KG or Philidor are missing though. For Fritz, I think my Balanced-16.ctg is better, for which I added many more variations to the Xmas2640 set.

http://www.sedatchess.com/scct_opening_book.html

[David Dahlem]

I'm looking for recommendations for a good "neutral" opening book to use in Arena tournaments to test engine strength. In other words, a book that will be fair to both sides, so that one engine will not have an unfair advantage due to the opening book lines. I would like a book that is not too deep, preferebly not over 20 half moves, even less would be fine. And the lines chosen by Arena should be totally random.

Which book do you Arena experts recommend?

Regards
Dave

HS-Classic 10moves 2.0.abk
HS-12moves.abk
Xmas2640.abk

Those are my favourites for CCRL testing.

Thanks Graham. I'll try these three books and see which i like best.

Regards
Dave

[Florian]

The HS abk books are top class and are clearly the best.

[bob]

I don't think such a book exists. If the book includes an opening some specific engine does not play very well, even though the positions reached are perfectly equal, that program will be at a disadvantage since it is being forced to play an opening it doesn't understand...

[Graham Banks]

I don't think such a book exists. If the book includes an opening some specific engine does not play very well, even though the positions reached are perfectly equal, that program will be at a disadvantage since it is being forced to play an opening it doesn't understand...

Hi Bob,

I am not a programmer, but I would have thought that engines would be programmed to understand general opening principles rather than specific openings?
General opening principles would apply to most openings?

Regards, Graham.

[Florian]

I don't think such a book exists. If the book includes an opening some specific engine does not play very well, even though the positions reached are perfectly equal, that program will be at a disadvantage since it is being forced to play an opening it doesn't understand...

Just shows the class by a neutral book,to contain lines the correct
USUALLY be treated by the engines!

[tano-urayoan]

I don't think such a book exists. If the book includes an opening some specific engine does not play very well, even though the positions reached are perfectly equal, that program will be at a disadvantage since it is being forced to play an opening it doesn't understand...

Hi Bob,

I am not a programmer, but I would have thought that engines would be programmed to understand general opening principles rather than specific openings?
General opening principles would apply to most openings?

Regards, Graham.

Not necessarily, as the so called hyper modern openings have other principles than open or classic games, for example e4 e5, f4 or e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5, is not played the same as e4 Nf6, e5 Nd5, c4 Nb6, d4 d6, f4 etc. In this example black has surrendered all the center in favor of white something not recommended in general opening principles.

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

I don't think such a book exists. If the book includes an opening some specific engine does not play very well, even though the positions reached are perfectly equal, that program will be at a disadvantage since it is being forced to play an opening it doesn't understand...

Hi Bob,

I am not a programmer, but I would have thought that engines would be programmed to understand general opening principles rather than specific openings?
General opening principles would apply to most openings?

Regards, Graham.

Not necessarily, as the so called hyper modern openings have other principles than open or classic games, for example e4 e5, f4 or e4 e5 Nf3 Nc6 Bb5, is not played the same as e4 Nf6, e5 Nd5, c4 Nb6, d4 d6, f4 etc. In this example black has surrendered all the center in favor of white something not recommended in general opening principles.

The Alekhine Defence is a dangerous weapon for black if you know what are you doing,don't underestimate it....