From: Glen Miner <gminer <at> NEWBRIDGE <dot> COM>
Date: 11 dec 1996
Subject: Re: Evaluation (was Re: Computer Shogi)

> >How about this for pieces on the board:
> >
> >Unpromoted:   Promoted:
> >
> >Pawn  = 10    40
> >Lance = 30    50
> >Knight= 40    55
> >Silver= 50    60
> >Gold  = 60    -
> >Bishop= 100   150
> >Rook  = 110   160
> >
> >And for each square of mobility the Bishop or Rook has, add 1 point.

> Why is a promoted pawn worth less than a gold? In fact a tokin is worth
> more.

A promoted pawn is worth less than a real gold; while they are
functionally the same, when you take a promoted pawn you only get a pawn.
It is worth more than a regular pawn because of its enhanced mobility.

When you say token, what exactly do you mean?

> A promoted Bishop is supposed to be worth 3 silvers? Is there anybody out
> there who wouldn't jump at the chance to take the three silvers?

Let's put it another way: is getting a bishop promoted worth losing a
silver or a promoted lance? (True: all things are situation dependant, but
how about in general?).

> The value of any piece can change with every move. In Shogi, the essence
> of good strategy is to attempt to refute material value tables such as you
> have listed. At least that's how I see it.

<grin> This is quite probably true, but it doesn't make it any easier to
make the computer any smarter :)

I am trying to get a stable engine working with a good foundation first.
After that I will be adding strategical assessment etc...

Peace
===[ Gabo / [ABC] : gaminer <at> undergrad <dot> math <dot> uwaterloo <dot> ca ]===================
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