Robert Flesher wrote:Some time ago I released my Dissident Aggressor settings which made Zappa play lke an attacking monster. Since then I have further tuned the settings to get another strength gain, while keeping the same aggressive attacking style.
Here is an example of it crushing Houdini 2.0. Make no mistake, Houdini is stronger, but Dissident Aggressor if given a chance to attack can be unstoppable! It also can plays VERY well in closed positions.
Robert Flesher wrote:Some time ago I released my Dissident Aggressor settings which made Zappa play lke an attacking monster. Since then I have further tuned the settings to get another strength gain, while keeping the same aggressive attacking style.
Here is an example of it crushing Houdini 2.0. Make no mistake, Houdini is stronger, but Dissident Aggressor if given a chance to attack can be unstoppable! It also can plays VERY well in closed positions.
Can we see the further tuned settings to get another strength gain, while keeping the same aggressive attacking style ?
You can see the games, but this time the settings will remain all mine.
Wow, you're really complicated or are you just a bit conceited? But seriously your settings, it is not rocket science mate.
I never claimed it was? WTF?
I invented the settings for me as a sparring partner that was outside the normal definition of "engine play" It just turned out that once and a while a beautiful game would be played and this is what I intended to share with the forum. Prior to me sharing my Dissident Aggressor settings I cannot remember anyone posting anything like them, and thus this justified my decision to share them. If that can be construed a conceited, then so be it! Please feel free to ignore my posts it the future, but likely there won't be any.
It always amazes me how a simple post can can turn into ad hominem attack. I am dissappointed at the prevailing decadence of this forum. I can see why so many have left.
I, for one, am thankful you released these settings, Robert. My focus had been on balancing attacking chess with maintaining strength (I'd used KS=300 with a moderate contempt setting), but I see that the wild & crazy personality is not that weak at all, as it can compete with ~2500 engines on an even footing, while playing the most speculative chess games I've ever seen.
I've tested it against an engine rated 2300 (standard 15 0 games) on ICC over 25 games, and it scored +23-1=1.
The only 2 times it failed to win, it ran out of pieces and pawns to sacrifice. It has also crushed all the humans it has faced, regardless of their rating.
carldaman wrote:I, for one, am thankful you released these settings, Robert. My focus had been on balancing attacking chess with maintaining strength (I'd used KS=300 with a moderate contempt setting), but I see that the wild & crazy personality is not that weak at all, as it can compete with ~2500 engines on an even footing, while playing the most speculative chess games I've ever seen.
I've tested it against an engine rated 2300 (standard 15 0 games) on ICC over 25 games, and it scored +23-1=1.
The only 2 times it failed to win, it ran out of pieces and pawns to sacrifice. It has also crushed all the humans it has faced, regardless of their rating.
When I have some time I'll post a few games.
Thanks again for sharing!
Regards,
CL
I am glad you enjoyed the style of CHESS it plays, this was the goal!
I'm going to post a typical game by Zappa Mexico DA, played against an engine rated around 2300+ on ICC. The time control is 15 min per game. A short 4-move book was used by Zappa. The pgn replay is at the bottom.
The first key position is after Black's 8th move.
[d]rn1qk2r/pb1pbpp1/1p2p2p/2p1B2n/2PP4/3BPN2/PP3PPP/RN1QK2R w KQkq - 0 9
Here Zappa first shows a glimpse of its creative attacking style by playing 9. d5!, a move most top engines would not play. The idea is to sac a pawn in order to weaken Black's kingside.
After a few moves, Zappa's plan seems to stall as 13...Nf6 forces White to exchange its strong Bishop off, leaving Black with a potent Bishop instead. However, there is an Ace up its sleeve. After Black's 14th move we reach this position:
[d]r2qk2r/p2p2p1/1pn2bpp/2pQ4/8/4PN2/PP3PPP/RN3RK1 w kq - 0 15
Here Zappa DA uncorks the stunning 15. Na3!!?, a move that at first looks unplayable to the human eye, since it gives up serious material. As it turns out, it's the best move, and invites Black to make a mistake by taking the bait on b2. This is then compounded by taking the rook on a1, and Black is now past the point of no return. It was best for Black to just play 15...Qe7! with a complex and unclear game.
A few moves later, after 18. Nh4, Black's position is already lost (see next diagram). Over the course of 9 moves, Black's position has been pried open in decisive fashion, and with great skill.
[d]r2q3r/p2pk1p1/1pnN2pp/2pQ4/7N/4P3/P4PPP/b4RK1 b - - 0 18
Please note that while other top engines find 15. Na3, very few would embark on the variation leading up to it, and this is very significant. This is intrinsically the true beauty of this engine personality -- how it can steer the game into difficult-to-defend positions for its opponents. This is very tough not only on human players, but also on weaker chess engines.
Almost each game Zappa DA plays is a real joy to watch.
carldaman wrote:I'm going to post a typical game by Zappa Mexico DA, played against an engine rated around 2300+ on ICC. The time control is 15 min per game. A short 4-move book was used by Zappa. The pgn replay is at the bottom.
The first key position is after Black's 8th move.
[d]rn1qk2r/pb1pbpp1/1p2p2p/2p1B2n/2PP4/3BPN2/PP3PPP/RN1QK2R w KQkq - 0 9
Here Zappa first shows a glimpse of its creative attacking style by playing 9. d5!, a move most top engines would not play. The idea is to sac a pawn in order to weaken Black's kingside.
After a few moves, Zappa's plan seems to stall as 13...Nf6 forces White to exchange its strong Bishop off, leaving Black with a potent Bishop instead. However, there is an Ace up its sleeve. After Black's 14th move we reach this position:
[d]r2qk2r/p2p2p1/1pn2bpp/2pQ4/8/4PN2/PP3PPP/RN3RK1 w kq - 0 15
Here Zappa DA uncorks the stunning 15. Na3!!?, a move that at first looks unplayable to the human eye, since it gives up serious material. As it turns out, it's the best move, and invites Black to make a mistake by taking the bait on b2. This is then compounded by taking the rook on a1, and Black is now past the point of no return. It was best for Black to just play 15...Qe7! with a complex and unclear game.
A few moves later, after 18. Nh4, Black's position is already lost (see next diagram). Over the course of 9 moves, Black's position has been pried open in decisive fashion, and with great skill.
[d]r2q3r/p2pk1p1/1pnN2pp/2pQ4/7N/4P3/P4PPP/b4RK1 b - - 0 18
Please note that while other top engines find 15. Na3, very few would embark on the variation leading up to it, and this is very significant. This is intrinsically the true beauty of this engine personality -- how it can steer the game into difficult-to-defend positions for its opponents. This is very tough not only on human players, but also on weaker chess engines.
Almost each game Zappa DA plays is a real joy to watch.
This is a classic Zappa Dissident Aggresor game. It's nice to see someone other than me appreciates its unique attacking stlye. I am still tweaking the settings, but the original ones will always be my favourite.
