Author |
Topic: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match (Read 1345 times) |
|
99of9
Forum Guru
Gnobby's creator (player #314)
 
Gender: 
Posts: 1413
|
 |
Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« on: Jan 5th, 2004, 6:31pm » |
 Quote  Modify
|
I challenge anyone to an unrated game where the object is to LOSE a game of arimaa (no resigning allowed of course).
Is anyone interested in this?
Is there an obvious strategy? We shall see...
|
|
 IP Logged |
|
|
|
clauchau
Forum Guru
bot Quantum Leapfrog's father
Gender:
Posts: 145
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #1 on: Jan 6th, 2004, 8:17am » |
Quote Modify
|
We tried it. That was a brilliant idea!
Would you believe it, I was thinking of variants this morning, like the nightmarish Progressive Arimaa where Gold makes 1 step, then Silver makes 2 steps, then Gold 3, then Silver 4, then Gold 5, etc. but this requires too much thinking to my taste.
I'm especially wondering what could be an Arimaa variant in which time or space would be made smooth instead of discrete - to make it tougher on bot while our human eyes would help us.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
99of9
Forum Guru
Gnobby's creator (player #314)
Gender:
Posts: 1413
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #2 on: Jan 6th, 2004, 8:31am » |
Quote Modify
|
The idea was from Brian saying that his bot was "the stupidest bot ever", or something like that.
I thought I could write a stupider bot, that knew how to suicide. But when I was thinking of how to write the stupidest bot ever, one that would lose as often as possible, I realised that it would be quite challenging.
Hence the lose-variant.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
maker
Forum Full Member
bot_tod's maker
Gender:
Posts: 21
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #3 on: Sep 23rd, 2004, 6:26pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Surely the easiest way to lose quickly would be to attack the opposite side and draw a rabbit to your own side, while suiciding all your rabbits... just a thought
maker
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
maker
Forum Full Member
bot_tod's maker
Gender:
Posts: 21
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #4 on: Sep 23rd, 2004, 10:50pm » |
Quote Modify
|
on Sep 23rd, 2004, 6:26pm, maker wrote:| Surely the easiest way to lose quickly would be to attack the opposite side and draw a rabbit to your own side, while suiciding all your rabbits... just a thought |
|
I wonder: could anyone prove that, given players who follow the above statement, a draw is certain in this variant? I would like to see the math on such a venture, though it might get very sticky. 
maker
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
Fritzlein
Forum Guru
Arimaa player #706
Gender:
Posts: 5928
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #5 on: Oct 1st, 2004, 12:11pm » |
Quote Modify
|
From looking at a large sample of games of this variant (i.e. two games) it seems that it is too easy to suicide all your own rabbits and be assured of at least a draw. Therefore I propose the following variation of this variation:
Each player is obliged, on his or her first move, to advance a rabbit to the fourth rank. This prevents securing an easy draw by rabbit suicide, and suddenly introduces the danger of your rabbit being dragged to the opposing goal. The character of the game would change from trying to kill off your own pieces to trying to drag a rabbit and prevent yours from being dragged.
Would anyone like to give it a try with me? I'll play silver 
|
| « Last Edit: Oct 1st, 2004, 12:13pm by Fritzlein » |
IP Logged |
|
|
|
99of9
Forum Guru
Gnobby's creator (player #314)
Gender:
Posts: 1413
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #6 on: Oct 1st, 2004, 12:20pm » |
Quote Modify
|
Hey... you haven't seen all the samples. Clauchau and I played 3 games of this type and they were all quite interesting. I wouldn't write this game off just yet! (although I agree it's pretty easy for gold to force at least a draw, I'm not sure that silver can if gold tries to win)
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
megamau
Forum Full Member
Arimaa player #206
Gender:
Posts: 21
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #7 on: Jun 10th, 2005, 7:29pm » |
Quote Modify
|
What about a simple rule like:
It is not allowed to move your rabbit into the trap.
Of course being pushed or pulled into the trap would still be allowed, as would be moving any other piece into the trap.
I think that losing Arimaa would be interesting that way.
Maurizio
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
99of9
Forum Guru
Gnobby's creator (player #314)
Gender:
Posts: 1413
|
|
Re: Seeking Arimaa Variant Match
« Reply #8 on: Jun 10th, 2005, 7:32pm » |
Quote Modify
|
That also sounds interesting. It would certainly require a very different strategy.
|
|
IP Logged |
|
|
|
|
Home
Help
Search
Members
Login
Register
Reply
Notify of replies
Send Topic
Print