Why am I so much stronger against computers than players?

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iamtron12

Hello

Im trying to figure out why I'm so much stronger against computers than actual human players at live chess.  I can beat the chess.com computer(the one going from 1-10) on 7, which is from what I've read rated around 1700. I can beat play Magnus every time on 9, and sometimes 10. These are rated 1500 and 1700 from what ive read aswell.  Also ive tried the live chess computer and crushed it at 1200, haven't tried higher rated. But when I play online games against people Im like rated 750 something.  Are computers generally easier to play against? 

daxypoo
one problem with computers below it’s maximum strength is that it plays engine moves, then maybe a 2nd or 3rd choice, and the it makes a catastrophic blunder that no human would make

like- it will crush- get you to a mate in 2 then hang its queen

people are a totally different beast

it really isnt the same game

playing players here will make you a better player- it might not feel like it, and there might be little to show for it but you will get better

iamtron12

Yes I find it very strange. But If the computer is "weaker" then I would say its rated wrong.

DiogenesDue
iamtron12 wrote:

Hello

Im trying to figure out why I'm so much stronger against computers than actual human players at live chess.  I can beat the chess.com computer(the one going from 1-10) on 7, which is from what I've read rated around 1700. I can beat play Magnus every time on 9, and sometimes 10. These are rated 1500 and 1700 from what ive read aswell.  Also ive tried the live chess computer and crushed it at 1200, haven't tried higher rated. But when I play online games against people Im like rated 750 something.  Are computers generally easier to play against? 

It's because the humans get mad when you do a takeback wink.png.

lubricant

stop playing computers... that's what this site is for.

forked_again

The rating of a computer setting doesn't mean anything.  If it makes you feel good then go with it.  In fact, they are probably over rated just to make you feel good.  

I played computer chess for a year or so with Lucas Chess.  When I finally joined chess.com a year ago I figured I was at least a 1600 player.  Boy was I wrong.  

Prometheus_Fuschs

There's also the fact that you can think for longer.

Caesar49bc

Any chess engine below it's max strength is going to make a catastrophic blunder at some point in the game. Also it tends to play 2nd or 3rd tier moves on regular basis, so that a human playing against it has a chance to pick up a tactic or discover some other slight advantage.

Also, in many cases it's opening book is severely hobbled at less than max setting. At less than max, it might only have an opening book of 6 or 8 ply. A hobbled opening book is usually found in programs that are more educational, like Chess King Training 2018 standard, not straight chess programs like Fritz. You can load an opening book in Fritz that only goes so many moves, although not sure where to get them. It's standard in engine tournaments to a use a paired down opening book that only goes a few moves deep. The exact opening book size depends on whatever the tournament creators decide.

That's probably the biggest reason I'm stuck at 1850 on Chess King Training. Below 1900, it's opening books is hobbled. At 1900, not only is it at max strength, but it has a full opening book. I can tell just by the way it plays. The moment I get out of book, and it's not a move that's at least the quality of an opening book line, the computer will find the best move. I can out think it in the long run, because I've drawn some games, but I haven't won any. ("Out thinking" in this case means I've managed to prevent losing. Maybe I draw once in 5 games.) 🤗

autobunny

Your puzzles rating is 1111.  Typically IMHO it should be above your actual rating.  So that's pretty telling. 

Now that we've heard from humans,  it'd be nice to hear from a computer for a balanced perspective.