TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FROM ONE HIGH-PERFORMANCE SEARCH ENGINE TO ANOTHER

Abstract

This paper describes the high-performance alpha-beta-based search engine used in CHINOOK, the World Man-Machine Checkers Champion. Previous experience in designing a chess program was important in the initial design of the program. As it evolved, however, numerous application-specific modifications had to be made for the algorithms to excel at searching checkers trees. This paper describes the experience of transferring the technology used to develop a chess program to the creation of a high-performance checkers program.