Alpha-Beta Quiz 01

Short Answer

1. What is the “nearest competitor” to alpha-beta pruning? Why is alpha-beta pruning better?
2. What does the “alpha” in alpha-beta pruning represent?
3. Your classmate Diego says that alpha-beta pruning might not make the same move as a more careful but slower algorithm. Do you agree or disagree with Diego? Explain.
4. Your classmate Elina says that using alpha-beta pruning results in the optimal move that would result from perfect play from the given position to the end of the game. Do you agree or disagree? Explain.

Alpha-Beta Algorithm

• Annotate each node with its value under optimal play.
• Record $\alpha$, $\beta$, $\le n$, or $m\le$ to indicate.
• Mark the pruned lines of search with //.