[net.ai] Delphi 15: cruncher nudges bishop

mclure%sri-prism@sri-unix.UUCP (10/01/84)

The Vote Tally
--------------
The winner is: 14 ... Ne8
There were 16 votes. We had a wide mixture. The group seemed to have
difficulty forming a plan. Many different plans were suggested.

The Machine Moves
-----------------
        Depth   Move    Time for search         Nodes      Machine's Estimate
        8 ply   h3       6 hrs, 4 mins         2.18x10^     +4% of a pawn
                (P-KR3)

                Humans                    Move        # Votes
        BR ** -- BQ BN BR BK **       14 ... Ne8        4
        ** BP ** -- BB BP BP BP       14 ... Rc8        3
        BP ** -- BP -- ** -- **       14 ... Nh5        3
        ** -- ** WP BP -- ** --       14 ... Nd7        2
        -- ** -- ** WP ** BB **       14 ... Qd7        2
        ** -- WN -- WB WN ** WP       14 ... Nxe4       1
        WP WP -- ** WQ WP WP **       14 ... Qb6        1
        WR -- ** -- WR -- WK --
             Prestige 8-ply

The machine's evaluation turned from negative to slightly positive.
Apparently it likes this position somewhat but still considers the
position even.

The Game So Far
---------------
1. e4  (P-K4)   c5 (P-QB4)  11. Be2 (B-K2)  Nxe2 (NxB)
2. Nf3 (N-KB3)  d6 (P-Q3)   12. Qxe2 (QxN)  Be7 (B-K2)
3. Bb5+(B-N5ch) Nc6 (N-QB3) 13. Nc3 (N-QB3) O-O (O-O)
4. o-o (O-O)    Bd7 (B-Q2)  14. Be3 (B-K3)  Ne8 (N-K1)
5. c3 (P-QB3)   Nf6 (N-KB3) 15. h3 (P-KR3)
6. Re1 (R-K1)   a6 (P-QR3)
7. Bf1 (B-KB1)  e5 (P-K4)
8. d4  (P-Q4)   cxd4 (PXP)
9. cxd4 (PXP)   Bg4 (B-N5)
10. d5  (P-Q5)  Nd4 (N-Q5)

Commentary
----------
    BLEE.ES@XEROX
        14  ...  Ne8 as
        14  ...  Nh5?; 15. h3 B:f3 (if 15 ... Bd7?; 16. N:e5
        and white wins a pawn) 16. Q:f3 Nf6 (now we've lost
        the bishop pair, a tempo and the knight still blockades
        the f pawn and the white queen is active...)
        (if 16 ... g6?; 16. Bh6 Ng7; 17. g4 and black can't support f5 because
        the light square bishop is gone) while
        14 ... Nd7?; 15. h3 Bh5; 16. g4 Bg6; and black has trouble supporting
        f5. I expect play to proceed:
        15. h3    Bd7
        16. g4    g6
        17. Bh6   Ng7
        18. Qd3   f5 (at last!)
        19. g:f5  g:f5

    JPERRY@SRI-KL
        In keeping with the obvious strategic plan of f5, I
        vote for 14...N-K1.  N-Q2 looks plausible but I would
        rather reserve that square for another piece.

    SMILE@UT-SALLY
        14 ... Nh5.
        Paves the way for f5. Other possibility is Qd7 first. Either
        way I believe f5 is the key (as it often is!).

    REM@MIT-MC
        I'm not much for attacking correctly, so let's prepare
        to double rooks: 14.  ...  Q-Q2 (Qd7) (It also helps a
        K-side attack if somebody else can work out the details.)

    VANGELDER@SU-SCORE
        14. ... Nxe4 (vote)
        In spite of what the master says, White can indefinitely prevent f5 by
        h3, Bd7, g4.  Will the computer find this after Ne8 by Black?
        Stronger over the board is 14 ... Nxe4.  If 15. Nxe4 f5 16. N/4g5 f4
        and Black regains the piece with advantage.  The
        majority will probably not select this move, which may
        be just as well, as attack-by-committee could present
        some real problems.  Nevertheless, the computer
        presumably saw and examined several ply on this line and
        it would be interesting to see what it thinks White's
        best defense is.  An alternate line for White is 15.
        Nxe4 f5 16.  N/4d2 e4 17.  h3 Bh5 18.  Bd4 Bg4!?  19.
        Nxe4 fxe4 20.  Qxe4 Bxf3 21.  gxf3 Rf4.
        There are many variations, but most are not decisive in
        8 ply, so the computer's evaluation function would be
        put to the acid test.

    ACHEN.PA@XEROX
        13 ... Nh5 (keep up the pressure)
        this might provoke 14 g3 Bd7, either 15 Nd2 or h4 to
        start a counter attack.  the black is hoping to exchange
        the remaining knight with queen's bishop 16 ...  Nf4
        then maybe attempt to encircle the white with Qb6
        attacking the weakside behind the pawns.  (note: if 13
        ...  Nh5 can't 14 ...  f5 for the obvious reason)

Solicitation
------------
    Your move, please?

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