What Is a Centipawn Advantage?
5 days ago
- #analysis
- #chess
- #centipawn
- Computer chess engines use an analysis bar to show centipawn advantage, indicating positional strength.
- A 100 centipawn advantage corresponds to a 50% win probability, not necessarily the material value of a pawn.
- Centipawn advantages can be converted to Elo differences, with 100 centipawns ≈ 190 Elo points.
- Chess lacks an in-game point system, so centipawns serve as a familiar unit for evaluating advantage.
- Pawn values vary based on position, averaging above 100 centipawns due to strategic importance.
- Shannon theorized that under perfect play, chess outcomes are predetermined as forced wins, draws, or losses.
- Modern evaluation functions estimate probabilities, material values, and positional features due to lack of perfect evaluation.