Sargon II Chess

[highinfidelity]

I then cranked Sargon II up to level 1 and left Cyrus on level 1. In this game Sargon II performed far better, and seemed to have the upper hand. Sargon II check mated Cyrus in 31 moves.

WOW! Although I reckon that it was an unbalanced match, still it was an impressive achievement from Sargon II in my opinion! Hats off!

[16KVIC20]

I think it probably was unbalanced, yes. As Sargon II has fewer levels, it should achieve greater difficulty sooner than Cyrus Chess does.
My next test might be Sargon II level 1, Cyrus level 2, and see what happens.

[16KVIC20]

As promised here are the game notes from the second match, the one in which Sargon II won. It was actually 33 moves, not the 31 I previously mentioned. Still pretty good though.

What we must consider is the disparity between levels. There are 7 on Sargon II, but 9 on Cyrus. Sargon starts on 0, Cyrus on 1
Now with both machines on their opening levels, Cyrus had not managed to Check Mate Sargon II in 61 moves, it would have happened, maybe inside 70 or 80 moves I think. Moved up just one notch Sargon manages to defeat Cyrus in just 33 moves. The next game will be Sargon II level 1, Cyrus Level 2, and we'll see what happens.

Code: Select all

VIC 20 Sargon II Vs Dragon 32 Cyrus Chess Round 2
Sargon II plays White Pieces – Level 1
Cyrus Chess Plays Black Pieces – Level 1 NB there is a level 0 on Sargon II, but not on Cyrus.

1
G1 – F3
G8 – F6
2
G2 – G3
D7 – D6
3
B1 – C3
B8 – C6
4
D2 – D4
C8 – F5
5
E2 – E3
E7 – E5
6
F1 – B5
A7 – A6
7
B5 X C6 CHECK
B7 X C6


8
D4 X E5
F6 – G4
9
F3 – D4
D8 – G5
10
E3 – E4
G4 X F2
11
E1 X F2
G5 – G4
12
E4 X F5
G4 X D1

13
H1 X D1
D6 X E5
14
D4 X C6
F8 – C5 CHECK
15
C1 – E3
C5 – E3 CHECK


16
F2 X E3
F7 – F6
17
C3 – D5
E8 – D7
18
C6 – A5
D7 – C8
19
D5 – E7 CHECK
C8 – B8
20
D1 – D7
H7 – H5
21
E7 – C6 CHECK
B8 – C8
22
D7 X G7
H5 – H4
23
G3 X H4
H8 – E8
24
G7 – F7
E8 – H8
25
F7 X F6
H8 – E8
26
E3 – E4
E8 – H8
27
H4 – H5
H8 – E8
28
A1 – D1
E8 – H8
29
H5 – H6
H8 – E8
30
H6 – H7
E8 – H8
31
F6 – H6
H8 – E8
32
H7 – H8
E8 X H8
33
H6 X H8 CHECK MATE

[16KVIC20]

Now we have the results for Match 3 - A Dragon/Cyrus Victory!

Sargon II was on Level 1 (its second level of 7) and Cyrus was on Level 2 (its second level of 9). Sargon II was playing White.

Given that Sargon has fewer levels I would expect the difficulty to increase more quickly, and if Sargon is the better program, then I would expect it to win on that basis, but it was check mated in 37 moves.

Here is the Gameplay:

Code: Select all

VIC 20 Sargon II Vs Dragon 32 Cyrus Chess Round 3
Sargon II plays White Pieces – Level 1
Cyrus Chess Plays Black Pieces – Level 2 NB there is a level 0 on Sargon II, but not on Cyrus.

1
F2 – F4
D7 – D5
2
G1 – F3
G8 – F6
3
B1 – C3
D5 – D4
4
C3 – B5
B8 – C6
5
C2 – C3
D4 X C3
6
D2 X C3
C8 – F5
7
D1 X D8 CHECK
E8 X D8


8
C1 – D2
A7 – A6
9
B5 – D4
C6 X D4
10
F3 X D4
E7 – E6
11
D4 X F5
E6 X F5
12
E2 – E3
F8 – C5
13
B2 – B4
C5 – D6
14
F1 – C4
H8 – F8
15
O – O
B7 – B5
16
C4 – D3
F6 – E4
17
A1 – D1
F8 – E8
18
F1 – F3
E8 – E6
19
F3 – H3
H7 – H6
20
D2 – E1
A8 – B8
21
D3 – C2
D8 – E8
22
D1 – D5
E6 – G6
23
D5 X F5
E4 – F6
24
E3 – E4
D6 – E7
25
E1 – F2
G6 – G4
26
F2 – D4
E8 – F8
27
A2 – A4
F8 – G8
28
A4 X B5
A6 X B5
29
H3 – F3
C7 – C6
30
G1 – F2
B8 – A8
31
H2 – H3
G4 – G6
32
D4 – C5
E7 X C5 CHECK
33
F5 X C5
A8 – A2
34
F2 – E3
A2 X C2
35
E3 – D3
G6 X G2
36
C5 X C6
C2 – D2 CHECK
37
D3 – E3
G2 – E2 CHECK MATE   

To settle this once and for all I will play Sargon on Level 4, Vs Cyrus on Level 5. That is one above half way for each program. I will play each at White.
I am expecting a Victory from Cyrus. If so then I will try BOSS vs Cyrus.

[highinfidelity]

SAR-GON!
SAR-GON!
SAR-GON!

C'MON SARGON! YOU CAN DO IT!

[16KVIC20]

Would anybody happen to have a copy of the instructions for BOSS?

If so could they possibly please scan it and make it available. I haven't been able to find it online.

[16KVIC20]

SAR-GON!
SAR-GON!
SAR-GON!

C'MON SARGON! YOU CAN DO IT!

Honestly, I'd just love it if Sargon wins!

I'm having a coffee and a piece of cake, then the battle shall commence!

[orion70]

I wonder if replaying the same Match Three, they'd repeat exactly the same moves.
Anyway, GO FOR IT SARGON !!!

[highinfidelity]

That's very unlikely to happen. There are too many degrees of freedom in the game. Usually they dont' even begin by moving the same exact first piece (usually one of the pawns, but it may also be a horse...) every time.

[16KVIC20]

I'm just waiting for the VIC 20 to make its mind up. On level 4 I've really noticed the time drag between moves. The instructions rate level 4 average wait time as 6 minutes, in practice it can be up to 3 times that. I have noticed it is playing to 4 or even 5 ply. The Dragon 32 is playing much faster, but I have only seen it consider up to 3 ply so far.

[highinfidelity]

Yes indeed. That's basically why my father and I never really played a full game above level 2. The first moves are fairly quick, but in the midst of the game it takes forever.

How is Sargon doing so far?

[16KVIC20]

Well Sargon II was doing fairly well I would say. I would say that Sargon had made far more of an impact on the board than Cyrus had done.

Unfortunately I ran out of time and had to abandon play to go and collect my boys from school. I don't leave my 8 bit beauties switched on unattended, so I had to end the games. I have all notes so far, and I took a picture of each screen on my iPod, so I can reconvene when I have more time. The unfortunate thing is that mat not be until half way through the week after next, although I shall try tomorrow.

The last move the VIC 20 made took 20 minutes! I wonder if the fact that the VIC 20 is playing 4 and 5 Ply compared with the Dragon's 3 Ply will secure a Victory?

[Mayhem]

For once, this is what emulation in VICE and Alt W is for

[16KVIC20]

No, I prefer to use the real Hardware and Software. It's more hassle, but more fun as well.

At least I think so.

Mayhem, would you happen to know where I could get a copy of the instructions for BOSS?

[Mayhem]

Mayhem, would you happen to know where I could get a copy of the instructions for BOSS?

Sadly not, I've only a scan of the outside of the inlay, and I don't own the game myself. I think. I'll double check my Vic20 crates if I can remember...