Mystery engine at CCC

[towforce]

Chess.com is a very good one-stop computer chess shop.

* People I know who wanted to play casual chess joined so that they can play their friends (I originally joined because a friend challenged me to some chess games via this site)

* For some reason, their chess bots are world famous

* Their analysis tools are more than good enough for most players

* They have a database of chess games. Undoubtedly Chessbase has a better database - but I would think that for most people, Chess.com's is "more than good enough"

* A study has shown that players who subscribe to their tutorials improve their standard of play rapidly (disclosure: this study was by Chess.com itself)

Why would they want a world-beating program? For the same reason that Ford builds cars that win races. Although the racing cars are nothing like the ordinary cars most of their customers buy, the racing cars gives the name "Ford" a halo effect.

If Chess.com is getting a big market share, it's because they are good at giving people what they want in the chess server world.

[Modern Times]

The sales model may not be to make it available as an ordinary UCI engine — at all.

My guess is that it won't be released as a UCI engine that people can buy and install on their PCs to use however they want. My guess is that the commercial return for them is keeping it exclusive to chess.com as a method of attracting people to that platform. I have no problem with that, and no problem with the authors potentially abandoning their own free engines on order to be paid for their work on Torch. it is the world we live in. However they probably do need to get it closer to Stockfish level.

[CornfedForever]

My guess is that the commercial return for them is keeping it exclusive to chess.com as a method of attracting people to that platform.

Thanks for the laugh - best I've had in months!
You do know they have no problem at all 'attracting people' to their platform, right?

[Modern Times]

My guess is that the commercial return for them is keeping it exclusive to chess.com as a method of attracting people to that platform.

Thanks for the laugh - best I've had in months!
You do know they have no problem at all 'attracting people' to their platform, right?

Whatever tickles your fancy.

Attracting MORE people, does that meet with your approval ?

[CornfedForever]

My guess is that the commercial return for them is keeping it exclusive to chess.com as a method of attracting people to that platform.

Thanks for the laugh - best I've had in months!
You do know they have no problem at all 'attracting people' to their platform, right?

Whatever tickles your fancy.

Attracting MORE people, does that meet with your approval ?

Hey, I'm a longstanding...paying member., happy to drop my $$ where I spend my time. The amount of traffic is unbelievable....what they offer is amazing (paid for or otherwise)...should be clear what I am saying .

That said...it's probably looked upon internally as part of their 'AI development'....they may not know fully where it will lead, but have to 'go and see'. So, yeh, long-term it may pan out that they can use Torch in ways that they cannot with Stockfish as an engine which may result in added value for members and, yes, even bring in members who do not get that 'value' from other sites. Even then, it would not have to be 'stronger' than Stofckfish to provide that value.

Be it a Super Mittlens or some stuff far more useful to members...time will tell.

[Chessqueen]

The sales model may not be to make it available as an ordinary UCI engine — at all.

My guess is that it won't be released as a UCI engine that people can buy and install on their PCs to use however they want. My guess is that the commercial return for them is keeping it exclusive to chess.com as a method of attracting people to that platform. I have no problem with that, and no problem with the authors potentially abandoning their own free engines on order to be paid for their work on Torch. it is the world we live in. However they probably do need to get it closer to Stockfish level.

Here are some games against Stockfish enjoy them ===>

[Chessqueen]

The sales model may not be to make it available as an ordinary UCI engine — at all.

My guess is that it won't be released as a UCI engine that people can buy and install on their PCs to use however they want. My guess is that the commercial return for them is keeping it exclusive to chess.com as a method of attracting people to that platform. I have no problem with that, and no problem with the authors potentially abandoning their own free engines on order to be paid for their work on Torch. it is the world we live in. However they probably do need to get it closer to Stockfish level.

Here are some games against Stockfish enjoy them ===>

Probably next year, Torch might beat Stockfish

[Steve Maughan]

Attracting MORE people, does that meet with your approval ?

It's an enthusiastic YES from me. The more people that are attracted to chess, the better.

Chess.com have invested their own money into a new engine. They can do whatever they want with Torch. Our approval or disapproval is irrelevant — it's their engine.

— Steve

[chessica]

So it is, but we here do not have to do free advertising for this product and those companie.

[chessica]

...

Probably next year, Torch might beat Stockfish ...

Next year, Torch might beat Stockfish, and maybe a bag of rice will fall over in China?