Abstract:

How might we create an evaluation function for a computer chess program that plays a stronger positional game of chess? A new heuristic for estimating the positional pressure produced by chess pieces is proposed. We construct an evaluation from a Systems perspective, using a dynamic model of the interaction of the pieces. The identification and management of stressors and the construction of resilient positions allow effective cut-offs for less-promising game continuations due to the presence of adaptive capacity. We calculate and maintain a database of potential mobility for each chess piece 3 moves into the future, for each position we evaluate in our search tree. We determine the likely restrictions placed on the future mobility of the pieces based on the attack paths of the lower-valued enemy pieces.  Initial results are presented.

 

keywords: complexity, chess, game theory, constraints, heuristics, planning, measurement, diagnostic test, resilience