Single Comment

Hi H.G.

Another question I have is: assuming that the computer programs you used for the playtesting must have assigned a preliminary value to an Archbishop, if only for when deciding during calculations whether to exchange it for something else (e.g. a queen), what was that preliminary value? If it was set to the same value exactly as a queen, that would affect decisions such an engine made at times during a game via its calculations, for any moments when say an exchange of an Archbishop for a Queen might have been possible. I'm wondering if that might affect the play and results of a program during playtesting as much as if it, say, valued a minor piece the same as a rook during its calculations for any available exchanging posssibilities.

In regard to playtesting Sac Chess myself, I'm still just reluctantly dipping my toes into the edge of the water as far as my experience with engines and modern computer software goes. Decades ago I was somewhat into computer programming, and found a lot of time was involved, and eventually a kind of aversion developed. I can't afford to be a complete luddite though when it comes to refusing to use computers at all these days, amd if I immerse myself fully into the world of chess variants I may try my hand at playtesting with engines as you suggest. However, I think I'd prefer to start with human vs. human playtesting of Sac Chess, in the New Year if not sooner.