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Topic: Database Usage Clarification
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Author
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miguel:
Under the heading--"Your
Responsibilities as a Player" is
listed the following: "You cannot
use a computer or computer program
to evaluate or analyze a game.
However, you may use computers for
record keeping. It is also allowed
to consult chess books and opening
databases."
Reading this verbatim, it is
against the rules to access
and make use of the Namilov Endgame
Tablebases. All 3, 4, and 5 man
positions can be viewed at:
http://www.lokasoft.nl/tbweb.htm
Also, 6 man tables can be purchased
at several Internet sites.
My question is this: Is it proper
in QueenAlice to make use of this
service? Many thanks.
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I haven't thought about that particular case, but I think it is allright to use end game tablebases. I think they are comparable to opening databases.
Miguel
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Thankyou for your clarification.
I am new to chess so this is an
altogether different experience.
I am aware of the Nalilov Endgame
Tablebases through my teacher. He
has never used it either in a
game. REASON: very simple,
the games he has played have
never lasted that long--HA!
He almost had a chance to use
this service in a R + B v R
game but there were too many
pawns left.
Well, everyone at Queen Alice
knows about the service if
they didn't before. Every
resource helps, if only to
make efficient use of tools
to help study. Again, thanks.
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The difference between tablebases and opening databases is that opening databases still leave the player to interpret the results - they will only point you in the general direction, not tell you how to win the game (except when your opponent falls into a trap before you even get out of book). Tablebases give best moves with absolute certainty and are therefore comparable to engine analysis, in my opinion.
Of course the usefulness of tablebases in normal play is quite limited. I've never gotten into a position where tablebases were of any use that I couldn't have finished off myself. The only difference is maybe QvR or QPvQ, which are notoriously hard. Still I think it's a gray area, and won't use them myself.
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Thankyou azaris; a friend of mine
has had only one chance to even
think about using the Namilov table
bases. He contacted his opponent
and let the player know of the
free website at: http://www.lokasoft.nl/uk/tbweb.htm
The player had not heard of it. So he
didn't use the resource either. The
game never got to that stage anyway.
Both of us feel as you do right now.
Quite possibly, the Namilov bases
should not be used. Not so much to
cut down on cheating, but because
the free site of 3, 4, 5-man tables
is not well-known. The 6-man tables
exist, but not everyone has either
the money to buy this resource or
the hardware needed to run it--HA.
If all players were on equal footing
here it would be different. If the
bases were in book form, available to
all, again, it would be different.
We are not talking about playing for
the World's Championship here...just
the comradarie and fellowship of
playing Chess with one another at
Queenalice.com.
But, my mentor wants all Queen Alice
members to know of the free service
to avail themselves of another avenue
to improve. This way no one at QAc
will waste their time on Drawn endings!
Thanks again, e2cp
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