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BGonline.org Forums
In an Ideal World
Posted By: Phil Simborg In Response To: Best online data source for studying opening replies? (Rich Munitz)
Date: Wednesday, 23 December 2009, at 2:39 p.m.
Of course, my idea of an ideal world is one where everything is done the way I like it done, but here's my shot at it anyway.
We are now down to where we know within very small ranges what the best opening moves and responses are. We also know within very small ranges what most other moves should be. It can almost be said that "all great players play pretty much the same"--since they are all playing, for the most part, very close to the same as the bots play. And if I want to win more and be considered a fine player, I had better try to do the same. For the most part, the only creativity and innovation comes in later in the game, and even then we have many rules of thumb and reference positions to guide us. (And if a player gets too creative or innovative, he will be thought foolish for not making the bot's play.)
How fucking boring is that????
In my "ideal world", every round of every tournament will start with a completely different starting position. It will be like "backgammon-to-lose" where you each make three horrible moves then turn the board around and try to win from there. When you do that, you have to rely much more on skill and reasoning instead of memory and rules of thumb. (I recall hearing that Nack had the best record playing this game--suggesting to me that the more complicated and unusual the game the more skill it takes to win.)
Of course, in that ideal world, I will be recognized as the greatest player ever and will be worshiped for my good looks.
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