Computer endgame analysis

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Bizarrebra

Hello,

 

I'm trying to figure out if there's out there an engine able to analyse the endgame outcome from the result standpoint rather than in terms of material and/or positional advantage. Let me explain myself: I'm using Chessbase 14 with Deep Rybka 4.1 and also with the stock CB Fritz 13 engines with some Nalimov tablebases. Added both kibitzers to the position shown below (all credits to Chris Ward's Starting Out: Rook Endgames book), which is a draw with accurate play by the defender (believe it or not!), as shown in the text, but both Fritz and Rybka are showing an evaluation of:

 

Evaluation Fritz: +4.92 White is clearly winning.

Evaluation Rybka: +2.99 White has a decisive advantage.

 

 

 

However when you follow their continuations, none of the engines is able to convert the advantage - you reach the 40-move rule or black is able to grab the c-pawn, at which point the evaluation changes. It seems to me very curious that the engine is offering a clear advantage to white, but in the own engine's continuation the evaluation changes as you play those exact moves.

 

That makes me things that these engines evaluate the position in terms of material (white's two pawns up) and positional advantage and initiative (it's clear that white's the only one trying to win here, and black's only defending). But as I said - black can hold a the position and achieve a draw with accurate play.

 

What I'm looking for is an engine that is able to recognize that, and shows an evaluation of 0.00 since the outcome is a draw with both sides playing the right moves. I'm trying to run my own variations, but it's hard to know if the move is right or not when the engines are continuously giving white the advantage regardless the result. Does something like what I'm looking for really exist? Any tips?

 

Thanks in advance.

notmtwain

It's only 6 pieces. Why not just use the tablebases?

 

Bizarrebra
Good point, notmtwain. Maybe that's the solution to my question. Currently I don't have the 5- nor 6-MEN tablebases because of lack of space, but I think you hit the nail in the head. Thanks!
ArtNJ

The online tablebases work pretty well, especially considering they aren't needed too often, so I don't miss not having built into my engine (stockfish)

Bizarrebra
ArtNJ wrote:

The online tablebases work pretty well, especially considering they aren't needed too often, so I don't miss not having built into my engine (stockfish)

Correct! Actually I've just set the position using the online Nalimov EGTB, and it says that after the first text move (Rh7+) it's a draw. Thanks.

PhD_in_everything

I have a PhD in vexillology (study of flags) and just have to say that I'm a just repulsed by the Nepal flag. It makes me want to vomit sometimes. 

HunterTheFrog101

draw