Does playing against a strong engine help you improve?

Does playing against a strong engine help you improve?

I like to play "the best" once in a while.

I usually play against Critter 1.6, as according to my tests this is the strongest free engine and it's also available for android.

I also played against Houdini 1.5 but while he is about even in an engine vs. engine match he seems less aggressive than Critter.

I think I've actually made a slight progress in doing so.

When I first started Critter mated me in 15ish turns, then 19, then 29 and the last time 27.

I've learned some things that are no-goes, which before I thought were fine but always got punished by the Engine.

I see no logical reason why it should not help you improve. Of course it shouldn't be the only thing you do since it'll become pretty frustrating. But if your aim is to push being mated to a later stage of the game and building a good defensive, it probably is a good idea to give it a try.

No, it doesn't help very much.

And besides playing against an engine is boring.

Play with strong human players, instead.

 Yes.Do you need to explain why?

Only if you analyze your game after the engine crushed you.

nething dat gets u thinkin wil proly help. btw when i play  vs the engine nd i make it play only move in database so it plays liek strong human until we leaf database so i can lern theroy proerly. as lon as u time it nd take it seriusly itl help i think...

thx

I don't know about "against" but "with" it certainly does!