How do chess games have coded different level of difficulties. Do they have different efficiency of programs or what?

Question

Please explain for other games too if possible.

In: Technology

Answer 1

They give the computer less time (less calculations) to think about its move.

On each turn there are dozens of moves the computer could make. Then dozens of moves you could make in response, and then again dozens of moves the computer could make in response to your response.

This can quickly turn into hundreds of thousands of potential moves. Reducing the amount of time or number of calculations, limits the chance of the computer picking a really great move.