🚀 go-pugleaf

   Date: 2 Jan 92 20:36:10 GMT
   Organization: 1926CCSG Robins AFB
   From: jshumate@wrdis01.af.mil ( Shumate Jason)
   Sender: info-gnu-chess-request@prep.ai.mit.edu

   This is not intended as a flame or to denigrate those who worked on GNU Chess.
   Has anyone really looked at the opening book that comes with GNU Chess?  It
   is horribly biased in favor of pet openings without regard to actual chess
   preference.  I am stunned at how many variations of the Vienna Opening are
   out there.  Frankly, I think the opening book would be better served to be
   more rounded and more in tune with actual preference.  I mean, I think 
   every possible variation of the Vienna Opening is in it, and only a mere
   handful of King's Indian and Benoni lines are out there.  I don't know 
   anyone who plays the Vienna Opening, but there are plenty of King's Indian
   and Benoni players out there.  My point is, certain openings are more popular
   than others and have attracted more theory and I think a computer program's
   opening book should reflect that.  I play the Pirc, but I wouldn't put
   20 or 30 different variations out there just because I like the opening.  In
   it's defense, the GNU Chess opening book does have a lot of Sicilian
   variations, which I think it should.  Does anyone have any thoughts on the
   subject?  I suppose that by being so biased toward the Vienna, it does give
   GNU Chess a "personality", but would it be better served to have a more
   rounded approach to an opening book?  I think so and that is why I am
   seeking out the other opening books recently discussed here.  Perhaps if
   enough people feel the same way, the next release of GNU Chess could have
   one of these other books in it (I say this with reservations, having yet
   to test any other books).
   -- 
   CUL8R,                                | Unknown Actor:"Sounds like a lot of 
   Jason Shumate                         |   supernatural baloney to me."
   System Administrator, wrdis02         | Bela Lugosi:"Supernatural, perhaps. 
   jshumate@logdis1.wr.aflc.af.mil       |   Baloney, perhaps not."

Very true. In such instances, we ask you to come up with a book that
you like. I feel the Benoni would be an excellent opening to book up
on.

The next release of GNU Chess, version 4.0, will be available with
a book by John Nunn but which was designed for another chess program's style.

--Stuart