Houdini 3/4?

[cc2150dx]

I already own Houdini 3 x64.

I was thinking about buying Houdini 4, but why is Houdini 4 better than 3?

Does it have a different playing style, higher nps/ search etc?

Any help would be great.


Thanks

[royb]

Houdini 4 seems only a little stronger than Houdini 3 from what I have seen from the various rating lists. Stockfish is a better bet in my book, and it is free as well.

[notyetagm]

Houdini 4 seems only a little stronger than Houdini 3 from what I have seen from the various rating lists. Stockfish is a better bet in my book, and it is free as well.

http://stockfishchess.org/

[Houdini]

I already own Houdini 3 x64.

I was thinking about buying Houdini 4, but why is Houdini 4 better than 3?

Does it have a different playing style, higher nps/ search etc?

Any help would be great.


Thanks

Playing style is similar to Houdini 3. nps is slightly lower. Strength improvement is about 40 Elo at blitz TC (see for example IPON, CEGT, SWCR...). And additionally there's Syzygy support.

Houdini 4 seems only a little stronger than Houdini 3 from what I have seen from the various rating lists. Stockfish is a better bet in my book, and it is free as well.

Not so long ago a 40 point increase would have been labeled "significant", nowadays apparently it's just "a little stronger".
This kind of advice shows that Stockfish is effectively killing commercial engines...

Cheers,
Robert

[royb]

I already own Houdini 3 x64.

I was thinking about buying Houdini 4, but why is Houdini 4 better than 3?

Does it have a different playing style, higher nps/ search etc?

Any help would be great.


Thanks

Playing style is similar to Houdini 3. nps is slightly lower. Strength improvement is about 40 Elo at blitz TC (see for example IPON, CEGT, SWCR...). And additionally there's Syzygy support.

Houdini 4 seems only a little stronger than Houdini 3 from what I have seen from the various rating lists. Stockfish is a better bet in my book, and it is free as well.

Not so long ago a 40 point increase would have been labeled "significant", nowadays apparently it's just "a little stronger".
This kind of advice shows that Stockfish is effectively killing commercial engines...

Cheers,
Robert

As long as people value a stronger engine more than other features, it will be all about measured ELO. An advanced GUI that provides features in combination with an engine that is sufficiently strong to meet the user's analysis needs is another direction that engine authors take. Yes, GUI development is very different from engine development from what I hear, but perhaps a partnership between an engine author and a solid GUI developer would be useful? Rybka has Aquarium, however it seems overly complex for many users. Perhaps some of those ideas implemented in a way that makes things easier to use would be a winner?

The idea of building a much better GUI is not new and some on this forum have previously advocated for a better GUI than what was offered at the time, but so far, higher ELO seems to be what is driving the development efforts.

[A Distel]

I already own Houdini 3 x64.

I was thinking about buying Houdini 4, but why is Houdini 4 better than 3?

Does it have a different playing style, higher nps/ search etc?

Any help would be great.


Thanks

Playing style is similar to Houdini 3. nps is slightly lower. Strength improvement is about 40 Elo at blitz TC (see for example IPON, CEGT, SWCR...). And additionally there's Syzygy support.

Houdini 4 seems only a little stronger than Houdini 3 from what I have seen from the various rating lists. Stockfish is a better bet in my book, and it is free as well.

Not so long ago a 40 point increase would have been labeled "significant", nowadays apparently it's just "a little stronger".
This kind of advice shows that Stockfish is effectively killing commercial engines...

Cheers,
Robert

I send you a check OK!

[ouachita]

. . . Stockfish is effectively killing commercial engines...
Cheers, Robert

Most people here agree that it has or will. Personally, I would like to see parity maintained or established at the top of the ranking lists.

[Albert Silver]

Not so long ago a 40 point increase would have been labeled "significant", nowadays apparently it's just "a little stronger".
This kind of advice shows that Stockfish is effectively killing commercial engines...

Cheers,
Robert

Not really. They have just been spoiled by the gains of Rybka and Houdini, and when these are not matched, there is disappointment. I do not think Stockfish has anything to do with this. Prior to Rybka, when Shredder and Fritz were the regular kings, 20-30 Elo in a year was considered significant, and people would test with a tactical test suite.

The along came Rybka, and for a few years it was 100 Elo a year. When Rybka 4 came out with only 30-35 Elo gained, it was announced a ripoff.

Houdini 3 was a huge gain over Houdini 2, and now Houdini 4 is less. I would say you are a victim of your own success.

[mwyoung]

I already own Houdini 3 x64.

I was thinking about buying Houdini 4, but why is Houdini 4 better than 3?

Does it have a different playing style, higher nps/ search etc?

Any help would be great.


Thanks

Playing style is similar to Houdini 3. nps is slightly lower. Strength improvement is about 40 Elo at blitz TC (see for example IPON, CEGT, SWCR...). And additionally there's Syzygy support.

Houdini 4 seems only a little stronger than Houdini 3 from what I have seen from the various rating lists. Stockfish is a better bet in my book, and it is free as well.

Not so long ago a 40 point increase would have been labeled "significant", nowadays apparently it's just "a little stronger".
This kind of advice shows that Stockfish is effectively killing commercial engines...

Cheers,
Robert

If a group of individuals with no profit motive are out performing a group of individuals with profit motives. By providing a better product. This does not speak badly of the first group, only the second group.


Profits + R&D = Greater Innovation.

If the second group is failing in this formula, it is not the fault of the first group.

[Milos]

If a group of individuals with no profit motive are out performing a group of individuals with profit motives. By providing a better product. This does not speak badly of the first group, only the second group.


Profits + R&D = Greater Innovation.

If the second group is failing in this formula, it is not the fault of the first group.

Many ppl with ego boosting motives if they are well coordinated certainly surpass a single individual with profit motive.
Thanks to Gary, ppl that have no other valuable accomplishment in their lives can suddenly start feeling important .
Problem is that usually doesn't last long...