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Subject: Re: Chess960 WCCC

Author: Tord Romstad

Date: 01:15:24 08/10/05

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On August 09, 2005 at 19:37:52, Peter Berger wrote:

>On August 09, 2005 at 18:57:15, Tord Romstad wrote:
>
>>The WCCC in Reykjavík is the classic world computer chess
>>championship which we all know.  Organised by the ICGA, slow time
>>controls, programs choose their own openings, takes a lot of time
>>(a week or so?), expensive to participate in.  For economical reasons,
>>few amateurs participate.
>
>I think the referring to amateurs is not really accurate here.
>
>When it is about costs, the tournaments look similar to me, for both amateurs
>get an offer for free accomodation and free hardware,

Really?  I was sure all participants had to pay for accomodation in all ICGA
tournaments.  I'm sorry for spreading misinformation.

>although the Mainz deal
>clearly offers more luxury - time is a valid concern , admitted.

Yes.  I doubt that many amateurs can afford to spend a whole week of
holidays on a computer chess tournament.

>Travel costs are an issue either way, although there are probably more potential
>participants who can reach Mainz easily, just as computerchess is so strong in
>Germany, you'll get more German entries.

I am fairly sure it is easier to find a cheap airplane ticket to Frankfurt than
to
Reykjavík from almost everywhere in the world.  But of course this is not a very
valid objection; next year it could be the opposite (the FRC championship at the
more expensive location).

>But I am very sceptical about the "amateur" issue. Is there any sensible reason
>to assume that a "professional" has more money to spend on such a tournament?

No, but on the other hand I think professionals have more to gain by
participating.  Being seen in tournaments improves sales, especially if the
program does well.

>E.g. you mentioned Sjeng as one of the two  professionals playing in Mainz, is
>this fair?

Perhaps not.  If you prefer, we can list Sjeng among the amateurs and say that
Shredder is the only professional in Mainz.

For the record:  It was not my intention to criticize either of the two
tournaments.
Both are great event, and we are lucky to have them both.

Tord



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