Is it better to play chess against a computer or a human?

@WildWizard said in #10:

See my point :)
Good job it's not tooooo hard, just gotta play the correct moves and win.

https://lichess.org/XCdLHfTt/white

@KenulL_76 said in #11:

HOW did AI level 8 miss such a blunder! Even at bad time's I wouldn't play that.

@WildWizard said in #12:

HOW did AI level 8 miss such a blunder! Even at bad time's I wouldn't play that.
Because stockfish plays the opening based on the opening database and because of that such games in standard are also possible.

https://lichess.org/xj5Ny2Lm/black

So if you want to win sf just play it repeatedly in correspondence.

@KenulL_76 said in #13:

Because stockfish plays the opening based on the opening database and because of that such games in standard are also possible.

So if you want to win sf just play it repeatedly in correspondence.
Now I know how to beat it, thanks :)
How odd that it would just give you a free queen tho. Humans will always be better than computers.

It really depends on what you want to train for. For example if playing against Stockfish you'll find that playing in a risk free way and trying to equalise to a dead drawn position is best way to play. However against humans this would mean you're unlikely to create winning chances. So it's a question of whether you want to play theoretically best move against an engine or the move that would create most problems for a human to solve.

its a game,
you'll lose too,
and its okay ;)

I'm currently playing vs computer a lot just because I have a lot of interruptions and I dont like leaving a game vs a human. (I play humans at our local club.)

With that said, Stockfish is very non-human in its games. It's levels estimated ratings have no correlation I can see with human play. Vs Stockfish 6 I either win really easily or lose really easily with few games in between.

I have shredder on my ipad (it cost $4) and I find it's play generally more like a strong human player. It also can adjust its play level to be just above yours.

Playing against a computer is good for consistent practice and learning, while playing against a human is better for unpredictability, social interaction, and testing your skills in a more dynamic setting. Both are valuable in different ways!

@stockwellpete said in #6:

My motto is . . . play against humans, train against the computer.
I used to play a lot against chess oldies like Sargon II , Novag Constellation, Turbostar 432 KSO, psion, Fritz 1. They faced my opening novelties and were my tournament preparators. They were my training buddies in short.

They didn't blunder as humans and I refrained from taking back moves and took notes and scores. In tactical areas they were strong, only when I outmanoeuvred them strategically , they couldn't save themselves despite their precise calculations but only occassionally. Most of the games I won in the endgame, where oldies of the 80ies faced horizon limitations , due to lack of speed. I still play them and if you are a fan and have 1 or more of them, I recommend to visit https://www.schachcomputer.info

I agree that you can play at home, stop whenever suits you and resume the day after. Its less stress and sometimes you analyse a certain position in real depth. As long as you are having fun , just go for it.
The nice thing is that all of these have ratings and that gives you an idea where you are.
Of course online chess does the same but you occassionally face cheaters and I'm like old school Botvinnik who was not fond of speed games. From a fun perspective , yes but for developping your long term strategical skills and analytic capabilities , no it won't. It requires intuition and strong players might be able but absolute beginners don't have that intuition from experience yet. Pattern recognition and a deeper understanding through a broad experience enriched with real study, might extend to a better sense of 'intuition'. Of course age and speed of calculation and focus makes some difference but a broad experience e.g. in tournaments otb factors in a lot more.

i would recommend to play with human but for training i would reccomend to join coaching