Computer
Programs Review
Computer checkers programs have become a part of the players tools used in
their efforts to study and understand the game. Most players that I have talked
to say that different computer programs have helped them take their games to
another level of play. Even Mr. Alexander “Alemo” Moiseyev, the
current World Champion in English Checkers, relates that he used a
computer program to aid in the analysis of a middle game which he subsequently
used in defeating Ron King for the championship.
Advice to want-to-be good players, get yourself a good strong computer
checkers program. Although I don’t consider myself as a strong player nor
even a good player some of you whom I have played over the years can be the
judge. I combined the book study with a particular type of computer play.
Over the years I purchased several different computer programs in an effort
to enhance my checkers playing skills. Some of you will ask “why did you
purchase several of them?” Well my answer will be “When I purchased
my first, I purchased it to spar with, to have a live-in sparing partner so to
speak.”
For several months, I sparred with this program and my game became somewhat
stronger, but I had not incorporated it into my style of study. Mostly this was
due to my lack of knowledge of the program’s special features. You see, I
had developed a bad habit that many others have acquired-- failure to
read instructions. I was not aware of its special features.
Becoming curious and wanting to know how I could use this program along with
my book study too, I decided to become more familiar with the program and its
special features. One of the features in particular was its database features
meaning that I could save positions and games that I inputted and retrieve them
for subsequent study. At last, I would not have to go through the tedious task
of re-setting my board again and many times thereafter as the players of
yesterday had to do in order to review a particular position or game. With the
click of my mouse key this game or position was before me on my computer screen
and I could replay it or have the program analyze it as one would imagine
watching a video tape. I had answered two major question, “How can a
computer program help enhance my game and how can I incorporate it into my book
study?”
At this point I would like to take note that when playing the computer, you
can take time and study your moves. One thing about computer plays; there is no
one on the other end of the board rushing you to move. You should play it at
its top level of play and while playing it try not to be impatient. It will
bring you its best move which provides for a better practice game.
Eventually, you will fall into a position where you find yourself getting
into trouble to the point of losing. When you detect that you are in trouble
use the move review features to see where you begin to get into trouble and
look for something better. If you can’t find anything better go to your
books. This will allows you to see the type of weaknesses and the losing
positions that are subject to arises when playing live opponent.
Before purchasing one of the many programs that are on the market, you
should research the special features of the program and ask yourself the same
questions. Also consider the playing strength of the program. A program with
6-7 piece endgame database is considered to be a strong program especially in
endgame analysis.
Here I will list some of the programs that I have purchased and attempt to
describe the value of each in my study of American Pool Checkers. All of them
are self-learning games, other words, the more you play them the stronger they
get! I should point out to the reader that these programs have too many
features to discuss here. Also there are no bad books or checkers programs. Some
are just better than others!
Click on the following hyperlinks for further information about that particular game.
Dynamo
Pro With its parameters set for maximum
strength of play, I found it to have a very strong opening and middle game, but
its endgame is very weak due to its programmer having failed to program it to
recognize special endgames such as the well known “three piece
special”. However, it has other special features that compensate for this
weakness. I have used its database features in saving and retrieving board
positions that I have studied. Also I have entered many games and openings from
Kaplan, Ramsey and Waters’ books which I retrieve and review from time to
time. I especially retrieve those games and positions that I have found myself
being unfamiliar with while sparring with live opponents, including those on
vog2, as well as the different computer programs that I own.
WinPool I found this to be an excellent
program. It was one of the first computer pool checkers playing programs that I
found to have been programmed to recognize the “three piece
special”. It is also a self-learning program; the more you play it the
stronger it plays. One of its main features that I witnessed was its ability to
analyze a game from opening move to end setting out the best moves for either
side and providing for a printout of its analysis.
Tornado Pool Checkers This
program has a seven piece endgame database which provides for stronger play and
endgame analysis. I have used this program to solve a few difficult problems
and challenges that were presented on the former CheckersUSA's bulletin board
and found it to render good results. It is an excellent sparring partner.
Plus 900
Plus 900 is also a pool checkers program which I found to have a few
bugs, but yet had some features that I liked, Its opening orientation of 12-16,
the Bodyansky. It also has the ability to analyze moves and suggest the better
move. But, I found it to have a weak endgame analysis. There were certain
positions that it could not analyze and as of yet to recognize the “three
piece special”.
The computer pool checkers programs listed above are the ones that I have
found listed on the internet and subsequently purchased. However, I also found
several good Russian draughts programs and some could be downloaded at no cost.
Two Russian draughts programs that would be of interest are: Aurora
Borealis and Tornado Draughts Base.
Aurora Borealis is a database program that contains a collection
of approximately 80,000 Russian games that have been recorded and extracted
from various tournaments held through out the continents. One can query its
database and find openings and games and endgames played by such notables as
Ion Dosca, V. Sokov, I. Kuperman, B.Blinder, as well as our own Mr. V. Kaplan
himself.
Tornado Draughts Base is a database program similar to Aurora Borealis. The
difference is that this program contains 70,000 games.
Turbo Dambase is a useful study tool in that you can store your games and replay them at a later date. While studying you can store your comments after or before a move and add different variants without distorting the original game. Also you can share this game with other students of the game via email across the country and the student can return it with his comments and variations without any distortion of original game. I see that in the future that this game is a must for those students who are eager to enhance their game to a higher level.