ShortLines.ctg, a ChessBase opening book for engine-engine testing
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ShortLines.ctg is an openingbook that can be used in the ChessBase GUI. 
It is meant for engine-engine testing. The purpose of the book is to 
give the engines only a small number of opening moves and keep as many 
pieces on the board as possible. Typically, the book is only six moves 
deep. In some cases more opening moves are available, to make games more 
interesting.

Why only a small number of opening moves? Chess engines normally use 
large opening books, sometimes up to 20 moves or more. As the engines 
are very strong, such long opening lines increase the possibility of 
draws and less interesting games. Furthermore, long opening lines solve 
the engine’s problem of how to develop its pieces and which plan to 
choose. Using ShortLines.ctg, the engines have to make more move 
decisions themselves. This increases the chance of original opening 
play with a decisive outcome.

It is best to use the ShortLines.ctg book for both engines in an 
engine-engine match. If you want to use book learning, it is advised 
to make a copy of the book, so both engines can use its own version.

Recommended settings
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Make sure that the options Use book and Tournament book are switched ‘on’.

• Slider 'Variety of play': about in the middle
• Slider 'Influence of learn value': to the far left (= switched off)
• Slider 'Learning strength': to the far left (= switched off)
• Option 'Minimum games': choose 5
• Option 'Up to move': choose 15

Of course it is entirely possible to use your own settings, f.e. switching 
on book learning or setting Up to move to 4 moves, in which case the 
engines are only allowed to use the first four moves in the book.
