lkaufman wrote:Do you have any online blitz or rapid rating? Those are usually reasonably close to FIDE ratings if properly scaled, depending on the server and the game type. Not so accurate for old guys like me, but probably you are not old.
Anyway, if you want to make a real contribution to computer chess, you might enjoy the following: Play ten game matches against komodo with various handicaps, but keeping Contempt at 80 and giving yourself twice (or three times, whatever you like) the 2' + 2" you give to Komodo. The important thing is to use the same time control for all matches, and to observe it strictly. I think it's okay to resign games for the computer if you are up 5 pawns equivalent and computer doesn't have a queen. Computer's analysis should be hidden.
The idea is to compare your score at different material handicaps, to get more information on how hard or easy they are relative to one another. You could try all of the two pawn handicaps where White removes b,c,d,e, or f pawn (so ten handicaps), as well as f7 handicap, f7 + 2move handicap (White plays 1e4 and it is still White's turn with no f7 pawn), and Exchange handicap ("a" rook for "b" knight, moving "a" rook to "b" square, try with both colors). Of course there are other options.
Note that this test would be interesting for anyone with a blitz or rapid level above 2200 FIDE. As long as the matches are reasonably competitive, they can be compared. If they are too one-sided, you are giving yourself too much or too little time.
Larry, you assigned me task-load for a year ahead.
I do not play online, too many cheetahs there.
At some point I migth try what you suggested, however I hate losing games on time with a winning position, because either you have to make a move, which might be bad, or your time will expire. Current top engines are not like those of 10 years ago, when you migth play a range of weak moves, and still win. Any bigger mistake is punished. That is why I do not set myself TC: there are positions so complex for a human, that one must think on them a minute or 2 not to make a huge blunder. And they are not so rare, unfortunately.
I think any TC lower than 20' + 10'' is simply suicidal against modern tops.
At 20' + 10'' vs 5' + 3'' for Komodo I am not afraid to play against Komodo with or without handicap. As said, any lower TC for me is simply suicidal.
I prefer to play with more time and no handicap than with some handicap and short blitz TC. Too many complex positions there, created by the top engines...
At some point I migth try some of the suggested positions, but not rigth now.
