Using a S-curve for the optimism measure

Add a logarithmic term in the optimism computation, increase
the maximal optimism and lower the contempt offset.

This increases the dynamics of the optimism aspects, giving
a boost for balanced positions without skewing too much on
unbalanced positions (but this version will enter panic mode
faster than previous master when behind, trying to draw faster
when slightly behind). This helps, since optimism is in general
a good thing, for instance at LTC, but too high optimism
rapidly contaminates play.

passed STC:
LLR: 2.96 (-2.94,2.94) [0.00,5.00]
Total: 159343 W: 34489 L: 33588 D: 91266
http://tests.stockfishchess.org/tests/view/5a8db9340ebc590297cc85b6

passed LTC:
LLR: 2.97 (-2.94,2.94) [0.00,5.00]
Total: 47491 W: 7825 L: 7517 D: 32149
http://tests.stockfishchess.org/tests/view/5a9456a80ebc590297cc8a89

It must be mentioned that a version of the PR with contempt 0
did not pass STC [0,5]. The version in the patch, which uses
default contempt 12, was found to be as strong as current master
on different matches against SF7 and SF8, both at STC and LTC.

One drawback maybe is that it raises the draw rate in self-play
from 56% to 59%, giving a little bit less sensitivity for SF
developpers to find evaluation improvements by selfplay tests
in fishtest.

Possible further work:

• tune the values accurately, while keeping in mind the drawrate issue
• check whether it is possible to remove linear and offset term
• try to simplify the S-shape curve

Bench: 5934644

diff --git a/AUTHORS b/AUTHORS
index bacc096cafebd89d6c15274a3cd3ae4a5c0489d3..2d75f7cf5a887023399c7fc34ae1c7a30b08606e 100644 (file)
--- a/AUTHORS
+++ b/AUTHORS
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ Jerry Donald Watson (jerrydonaldwatson)
 Jonathan Calovski (Mysseno)
 Joost VandeVondele (vondele)
 Jörg Oster (joergoster)
 Jonathan Calovski (Mysseno)
 Joost VandeVondele (vondele)
 Jörg Oster (joergoster)

-Joseph Hellis (jhellis3)
+Joseph Ellis (jhellis3)

 Joseph R. Prostko
 jundery
 Justin Blanchard
 Joseph R. Prostko
 jundery
 Justin Blanchard

diff --git a/src/search.cpp b/src/search.cpp
index 8a50c3b1e48916505da0bef2fd9750472d7cf6cd..f7c13bbf24ecb816b87a2f4d540a9e695dc91393 100644 (file)
--- a/src/search.cpp
+++ b/src/search.cpp
@@ -346,11 +346,13 @@ void Thread::search() {
               alpha = std::max(rootMoves[PVIdx].previousScore - delta,-VALUE_INFINITE);
               beta  = std::min(rootMoves[PVIdx].previousScore + delta, VALUE_INFINITE);
 
               alpha = std::max(rootMoves[PVIdx].previousScore - delta,-VALUE_INFINITE);
               beta  = std::min(rootMoves[PVIdx].previousScore + delta, VALUE_INFINITE);
 

-              // Adjust contempt based on current bestValue
-              ct =  Options["Contempt"] * PawnValueEg / 100 // From centipawns
-                  + (bestValue >  500 ?  50:                // Dynamic contempt
-                     bestValue < -500 ? -50:
-                     bestValue / 10);
+              ct =  Options["Contempt"] * PawnValueEg / 100; // From centipawns
+
+              // Adjust contempt based on current bestValue (dynamic contempt)
+              int sign = (bestValue > 0) - (bestValue < 0);
+              ct +=  bestValue >  500 ?  70 :
+                     bestValue < -500 ? -70 :
+                     bestValue / 10 + sign * int(std::round(3.22 * log(1 + abs(bestValue))));

 
               Eval::Contempt = (us == WHITE ?  make_score(ct, ct / 2)
                                             : -make_score(ct, ct / 2));
 
               Eval::Contempt = (us == WHITE ?  make_score(ct, ct / 2)
                                             : -make_score(ct, ct / 2));

diff --git a/src/ucioption.cpp b/src/ucioption.cpp
index 4d925d6827332f98b18bce9b7622ee6c7bbfd815..f648c017de26e934134e7585319a68c2a629878d 100644 (file)
--- a/src/ucioption.cpp
+++ b/src/ucioption.cpp
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ void init(OptionsMap& o) {
   const int MaxHashMB = Is64Bit ? 131072 : 2048;
 
   o["Debug Log File"]        << Option("", on_logger);
   const int MaxHashMB = Is64Bit ? 131072 : 2048;
 
   o["Debug Log File"]        << Option("", on_logger);

-  o["Contempt"]              << Option(18, -100, 100);
+  o["Contempt"]              << Option(12, -100, 100);

   o["Threads"]               << Option(1, 1, 512, on_threads);
   o["Hash"]                  << Option(16, 1, MaxHashMB, on_hash_size);
   o["Clear Hash"]            << Option(on_clear_hash);
   o["Threads"]               << Option(1, 1, 512, on_threads);
   o["Hash"]                  << Option(16, 1, MaxHashMB, on_hash_size);
   o["Clear Hash"]            << Option(on_clear_hash);