Gary Gifford wrote on Thu, May 22, 2008 09:37 PM UTC:
Rich suggested '...evaluating entire configuration of pieces,
rather than a single piece.'
I believe that is correct [that is what programs like Fritz and Chess Master seem to do... evaluating the two configurations and giving a score for the deviation] but also I would say, evaluate the pieces within the given position. The values are relative and change with every move.
The lowly pawn about to queen is a fine example. The Knight that attacks 8 spaces compared to one that attacks 4 is another, as is the 'bad' [blockaded] Bishop.
Another concept is that of brain power. For example, the late Bobby Fischer's Knights would be much more powerful than mine... not in potential, but in reality of games played. Pieces have potential, but the amount of creative power behind them is an important factor.
I believe that is correct [that is what programs like Fritz and Chess Master seem to do... evaluating the two configurations and giving a score for the deviation] but also I would say, evaluate the pieces within the given position. The values are relative and change with every move.
The lowly pawn about to queen is a fine example. The Knight that attacks 8 spaces compared to one that attacks 4 is another, as is the 'bad' [blockaded] Bishop.
Another concept is that of brain power. For example, the late Bobby Fischer's Knights would be much more powerful than mine... not in potential, but in reality of games played. Pieces have potential, but the amount of creative power behind them is an important factor.