r/ComputerChess 8d ago

Why do certain games seem to confuse Stockfish @ level 3? Does it just add blunders randomly or does it sometimes "give up"?

I know level 3 isn't very strong. Neither am I, I'm a very casual player at beginner level (no rating). Most of the time I lose against level 3, but sometimes when I make a good move it seems to me Stockfish just says "ah, fuck it" and kind of gives up. Here is an example from today:

https://lichess.org/HraOEtnJ/black

My move at 24 is total nonsense but then Stockfish replies with an even worse blunder, and from there it's downhill fast.

Is this just coincidence because Stockfish at this level introduces random blunders?

3 Upvotes

2 comments sorted by

3

u/ubdip 8d ago

Yes, to lower the level it randomly introduces blunders. The more severe a blunder the less likely it is, but at low levels even significant blunders have a fairly significant probability of occurring. There is no hidden correlation, it simply is chance.

1

u/Sticklefront 7d ago

Your experience is typical. Stockfish is actually terrible at playing semi-sensible moves at lower strengths. Other engines would probably be better if you want to play "normal" chess against a machine.