Chinese dark chess is a popular and easy-to-learn game in Asia. The characteristic of possible revealing of unknown pieces makes it different from Chinese chess or Western chess. Players with luck may win a game by chance. Thus, there is a probabilistic behavior that a player has to consider. Computer Chinese dark chess problems can be divided into three phases: 1) the opening game, 2) the middle game, and 3) the endgame. Revealing pieces reasonably and effectively is the main issue in the opening game. In the middle game, the choice of revealing pieces or moving pieces becomes the critical issue. Designing a good evaluation function is also important both in the middle game and endgame. In an advantageous endgame, how to capture all opponent's pieces to win the game is also a hard problem. Search-based methods, such as αβ pruning, are only suitable in the positions where revealing actions do not influence the results. However, according to our experiments, programs that reveal pieces reasonably and effectively have better playing strength. In this paper, we introduce the game Chinese dark chess and give some research topics about this game. We also discuss some strategies for considering the revealing actions in this paper.

Pectin polymers are considered for lithium ion battery electrodes. To understand the performance of pectin as an applied buffer layer, the electrical, magnetic and optical properties of pectin films are investigated. This work describes a methodology for creating pectin films, including both pristine pectin and Fe-doped pectin, which are optically translucent, and explores their potential for lithium-ion battery application. The transmission response is found extended in optimally Fe doped pectin, and prominent modes for cation bonding are identified. Fe doping enhances the conductivity observed in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and from the magnetic response of pectin evidence for Fe3+ is identified. The Li-ion half-cell prepared with pectin as binder for anode materials such as graphite shows stable charge capacity over long cycle life, and with slightly higher specific capacity compare with the cell prepared using PVDF as binder. A novel enhanced charging specific capacity at high C-rate is observed in cells with pectin binder suggesting within a certain rate (∼5C) pectin has higher capacity at faster charge rates. The pectin system is found as a viable base material for organic-inorganic synthesis studies.

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We often incorporate endgame heuristics as part of the evaluation function for CHINESE CHESS programs. We propose a semi-automatic strategy to construct a large set of endgame heuristics, which is called endgame knowledge base, which is used in our program, Contemplation. We also handle the conflict problem in large amount of knowledge. By applying the semi-automatic construction and modification process, we can obtain a consistent endgame knowledge base. Finally, we discuss about our method to achieve high correctness for practical usage.