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Using chess computers as a way to guage chess skill

Using chess computers as a way to guage chess skill

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h

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Is it really a bad idea to see if you're improving by playing against chess computers? For instance, if you tie an 8-game match with Deep Fritz 8, is it fair to say that you play like a grandmaster?

h
peacedog's keeper

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Originally posted by hamworld
Is it really a bad idea to see if you're improving by playing against chess computers? For instance, if you tie an 8-game match with Deep Fritz 8, is it fair to say that you play like a grandmaster?
I think nowadays commercial chess engines are at least super grandmaster standard. So, if I could beat Fritz, I'd be on the phone to Anand.

h

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Originally posted by hedonist
I think nowadays commercial chess engines are at least super grandmaster standard. So, if I could beat Fritz, I'd be on the phone to Anand.
Are you saying there's no reliable way to tell except by playing human competition?

h
peacedog's keeper

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Originally posted by hamworld
Are you saying there's no reliable way to tell except by playing human competition?
Not sure what I was saying in my first post, other than computers are better than humans now at chess.

The thing about playing computers is that you get good at defensive tactics(you look after your pieces), but will come to overlook errors in human play. So you play a human and automatically think any move he makes is tactically sound. Most players under master strength will blunder at some point during a game.

So no is the answer to the original post. Humans and computers play chess differently.

thaughbaer
Duckfinder General

223b Baker Street

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You played your first game on here 7 years ago and resigned after 1 move. Now in your recently started second game you're up to move 7 !! That's a 700% improvement. You don't need no stinkin' chess computer to tell you that.

RJHinds
The Near Genius

Fort Gordon

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Originally posted by hamworld
Is it really a bad idea to see if you're improving by playing against chess computers? For instance, if you tie an 8-game match with Deep Fritz 8, is it fair to say that you play like a grandmaster?
It is against the rule to use a chess computer during a game in progress on RHP. This has been drummed into my head, so I can not forget, by people paranoid about other people using computers against them to find the best move. So don't do it! 😏

HalleluYah !!! Praise the Lord! Holy! Holy! Holy!

h

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Originally posted by hedonist
Not sure what I was saying in my first post, other than computers are better than humans now at chess.

The thing about playing computers is that you get good at defensive tactics(you look after your pieces), but will come to overlook errors in human play. So you play a human and automatically think any move he makes is tactically sound. Most players und ...[text shortened]... game.

So no is the answer to the original post. Humans and computers play chess differently.
Good point. It is harder for me to win material than it is to lose material.

S
Caninus Interruptus

2014.05.01

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Originally posted by hamworld
Is it really a bad idea to see if you're improving by playing against chess computers? For instance, if you tie an 8-game match with Deep Fritz 8, is it fair to say that you play like a grandmaster?
That's how I trained after I first learned chess. I worked my way up through the computer's 'handicap' levels. Once I started winning too many games, I'd bump up the level a bit more.

h

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Originally posted by SwissGambit
That's how I trained after I first learned chess. I worked my way up through the computer's 'handicap' levels. Once I started winning too many games, I'd bump up the level a bit more.

How far did this get you? Not criticizing, just trying to get some anecdotes.


I mean, all I know at this point is that I have a hard time beating better players being able to handle myself against one of them should make it easier to handle the other one.

S
Caninus Interruptus

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Originally posted by hamworld
I got to about 1500 USCF and then I started playing in tournaments.

h

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Originally posted by SwissGambit
I got to about 1500 USCF and then I started playing in tournaments.
Do you now only use computers for chess analysis?

S
Caninus Interruptus

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Originally posted by hamworld
Do you now only use computers for chess analysis?
Mainly for testing chess problems.

Marinkatomb
wotagr8game

tbc

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Originally posted by hamworld
How far did this get you? Not criticizing, just trying to get some anecdotes.


I mean, all I know at this point is that I have a hard time beating better players being able to handle myself against one of them should make it easier to handle the other one.
I found playing the 'characters' in Chessmaster 9000 did my game a lot of good. Chessmaster isn't the strongest engine but i found the different playing styles of the fictional characters very useful when i was first learning the game. The only problem with playing an engine on a lower setting is that the engine has no real way of making the mistakes realistic. It'd spank me all over the board and then allow a knight fork, stuff like that. That said, i still had to spot the mistakes. In fact, it probably helped me to develop a healthy approach to playing stronger players, who still make mistakes even when they're winning. I don't think there is any substitute for human practise though, if you play fritz on full strength i don't think you'll come away with very much, it'll just undermine your confidence in your tactical ability...

h

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Originally posted by Marinkatomb
I found playing the 'characters' in Chessmaster 9000 did my game a lot of good. Chessmaster isn't the strongest engine but i found the different playing styles of the fictional characters very useful when i was first learning the game. The only problem with playing an engine on a lower setting is that the engine has no real way of making the mistakes rea ...[text shortened]... e away with very much, it'll just undermine your confidence in your tactical ability...
Yeah, I guess you're right.

W

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did you tie an 8 game match with a full strength deep fritz running at full capacity?

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