clearly identified computer opponents on RHP...

Might it be possible to create a few users that are computer opponents? I noticed that FICS has this. I assume that these users would be clearly identified as being computer opponents.

I think this could serve a few useful purposes:
- It would always provide access to an opponent of a certain rating level.
- It would give us all an idea of the rating of a certain chess engine configured to play a certain way. For example, Arasan 2-ply is about 1400, at 3-ply is about 1550, etc.
- Provides much faster response than playing against a human opponent.
- Could also be used as part of a training game feature.

What do you think? And Russ, would this be difficult to implement?

Originally posted by zucchini
Might it be possible to create a few users that are computer opponents? I noticed that FICS has this. I assume that these users would be clearly identified as being computer opponents.

I think this could serve a few useful purposes:
- It would always provide access to an opponent of a certain rating level.
- It would give us all an idea of the rating ...[text shortened]... training game feature.

What do you think? And Russ, would this be difficult to implement?

good idea, but i don't think it should be counted against your rating😛

Originally posted by gameover9
good idea, but i don't think it should be counted against your rating😛

excellent idea can we have this?

good idea in theory but who would be making the moves for the computers ???

i wouldnt want to see Russ valuable time being taken up by mundane things like that ... anyone advances on this ??

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
... but who would be making the moves for the computers ???

With respect to http://setiathome.ssl.berkeley.edu/
Perhaps we could set up a distributed network over all RHP user's machines: a supercomputer chess wizard that would finally show Kasparov a thing or two.
We'd have to stop it simply looking up (and stealing) Ironman31's moves though... never trust a distributed supercomputer, that's what I always say.

i think you can reasonably expect to have this without express permission. does it not say "cannot use software or engine unless agreed prior to the game" in the ToS? so assuming you shove that in the profile and tell everyone that challenges you then i geuess thats fair. esp. if its unrated.

how about a tournament for computer software only. get everyone to say what theyre using in advance and see what happens?

Originally posted by The Slow Pawn
but who would be making the moves for the computers ???

I'm thinking along the same line as on FICS, where the FICS server runs a chess engine to play you. This way, no individual has to play the part of a chess-software-based RHP user. Perhaps with limited search depths, running a chess engine to pick a move would not take much server time. Also, such computer chess engine based moves could be made the lowest priority so they aren't slowing down regular games.

I think most chess engines are built to work with an interface such as winboard, which I believe can run the chess engine with a given position, and the chess engine reports its move.

Originally posted by zucchini
Might it be possible to create a few users that are computer opponents? I noticed that FICS has this. I assume that these users would be clearly identified as being computer opponents.

I think this could serve a few useful purposes:
...[text shortened]... do you think? And Russ, would this be difficult to implement?

Oddly enough, we used to have one of these.

Edit: But it got retired.