ICGA Journal - Volume 24, issue 2 - Journals

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Table of Contents / Editorial

Authors: Haworth, Guy | Heinz, Ernst

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24201

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 65-66, 2001

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KEN, UNIX AND GAMES

Authors: Ritchie, D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ken Thompson’s work on chess and on Unix are his best-known contributions, but all this work was intertwined with other game and recreational activities. This note describes some of the synergies.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24202

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 67-70, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

KEN THOMPSON’S INFLUENCE ON COMPUTER GAMES RESEARCH

Authors: Schaeffer, J.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24203

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 71-72, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

THE BELL CAPTAIN

Authors: van den Herik, H.J.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24204

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 73-74, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

SELF-PLAY, DEEP SEARCH AND DIMINISHING RETURNS

Authors: Heinz, Ernst A.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Over the years, the research inspired by and/or closely related to Ken Thompson’s pioneering self-play experiments with his chess machine BELLE in the early 1980s provided many valuable insights and controversial topics for discussion in computer game-playing. This brief survey of the field demonstrates the fertility of Thompson’s original work. The overview includes a quick summary of the author’s own latest self-play experiment, also seeded by Thompson 20 years ago.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24205

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 75-79, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

KEN THOMPSON AND DEEP BLUE

Authors: Hsu, Feng-Hsiung

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24206

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 80-82, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

KEN THOMPSON’S 6-MAN TABLES

Authors: Tamplin, J. | Haworth, G.McC.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ken Thompson recently communicated some results mined from his set of 64 6-man endgame tables. These list some positions of interest, namely, mutual zugzwangs and those of maximum depth. The results have been analysed by the authors and found to be identical or compatible with the available or published findings of Karrer, Nalimov, Stiller and Wirth.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24207

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 83-85, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

RETROGRADE ANALYSIS: SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE

Authors: Stiller, L.B.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This is a retrospective on aspects of error-detection and development protocols in the architecture of the author’s retrograde analysis software with particular reference to the influence of Ken Thompson.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24208

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 86-87, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

ENDGAME TABLES AND ENDGAME STUDY COMPOSITION

Authors: van der Heijden, H.M.J.F.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The endgame tables (EGTs) of Thompson and others have helped composers, tourney directors, judges and cook hunters check the correctness of endgame studies. Further, but only recently, EGTs have assisted the act of composition, for example, by being mined for their lists of mutual zugzwangs. This paper identifies further challenging opportunities for computers to contribute to study composition, even to the complete composition of a study indistinguishable in a ‘Turing Test’ from one originated by a composer.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24209

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 88-92, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

ENDGAME TABLES AND CHESS COMPOSITION

Authors: Elkies, N.D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper places Ken Thompson’s work on computer-generated endgame tables in a historical progression of “retrograde analysis” of chess endgames, a progression comprising human efforts as well as computer work of greater accuracy and ever-increasing computational power. The paper shows how Thompson’s and others’ endgame tables have made and can continue to make a particularly significant contribution to the art of the chess endgame study.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24210

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 93-101, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

COMPUTER DISCOVERIES IN LOSING CHESS

Authors: Beasley, J.D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The history of Losing Chess endgame analysis by computer is outlined, and some particularly striking discoveries are quoted.

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24211

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 102-104, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50

KING AND TWO GENERALISED KNIGHTS AGAINST KING

Authors: Kotěšovec, Václav

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A Knight jumps two squares in one direction and one square in the other. It can be generalised as a Leaper which jumps x squares in one direction and y squares in the other. At various times in its history, chess has featured other pieces of this kind, in particular, the mediaeval Firzan which moved one square in each direction. Calculations are described which examine the general outcome of the ending “King and two Leapers against King” on a square chessboard of any size. In particular, it is shown that all endings of this kind appear …to be drawn on boards larger than 13×13, and that two identical Leapers cannot mate from a general position. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/ICG-2001-24212

Citation: ICGA Journal, vol. 24, no. 2, pp. 105-107, 2001

Price: EUR 27.50