Manual de Houdini 3 2012 | Page 244

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Houdini Help
You can set the hash size and number of threads before running the autotune
command:
- to set the hash size to 512 MB, type setoption name hash value 512 (alternatively in
Houdini 3, type hash=512)
- to set the number of threads to 3, type setoption name threads value 3
(alternatively in Houdini 3, type threads=3)

Tactical Mode (checkbox)
The Tactical Mode was introduced in Houdini 3. When Tactical Mode is active, Houdini
modifies its search process and uses some clever tricks to focus on tactical solutions
in the root position. In Tactical Mode Houdini becomes a very skilled tactical problem
solver.
Note that the focus on tactical moves will reduce the playing strength of the engine,
the Tactical Mode is probably about 30 Elo weaker than the normal playing mode.

Strength
Limit strength from 0 (beginner) to 100 (full strength). Default is 100 (full strength).
The strength reduction is mostly based on a combination of two techniques:
· Limiting the number of positions searched - this reduces mostly the tactical strength
of the engine;
· Purposely picking a move the engine knows is not optimal - this reduces mostly the
positional strength of the engine.
The combination of the two produces a game with both tactical and strategic
(positional) flaws.

Contempt
Level of contempt to avoid draws in game play.
Default 1, min 0 (none), max 2 (aggressive).
The notion of "contempt" implies that Houdini will try to avoid draws by evaluating its
own position slightly too optimistically. The Contempt level can be chosen between 0
(none) and 2 (aggressive), the default value of 1 should be a good compromise in most
situations.
· 0 = No Contempt
The evaluations are accurate and identical for both sides. This is recommended for
position analysis in which you analyze alternatively for White and Black. The starting
position evaluates as approx. +0.15.

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