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Subject: Re: Dutch teletext: "Fritz plays in dutch championship"

Author: Djordje Vidanovic

Date: 17:41:02 04/05/00

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On April 05, 2000 at 16:43:10, Jeroen Noomen wrote:

>Hi computer chess fans,
>
>Just read this message on the Dutch teletekst:
>
>"Fritz SSS* is the 12th participant in the Dutch championship.
>There has been a agreement with 10 of the 11 human players
>that the computer takes part. Only IGM Van der Sterren refuses
>to play the machine and gets a '0' by forfeit.
>The acceptance came after it is clear that there will be a record
>in prize money this year".
>
>Personally I totally dislike this agreement. Computers should not
>play in a championship of a country. That Van der Sterren is robbed
>of a full point is very sour and gives me a bitter taste. Humans
>should never be forced to play against a machine.
>IMO the dutch chess federation has made a very poor step here. I am
>curious what others think of this!
>
>Regards, Jeroen


Hello,

As you are curious as to what other CCC members think about this, let me tell
you that I think that computer programs ought to be allowed to play against
humans in official tournaments.  Why?  Because chess in its essence is but a
logical game  where you should play (against) positions (if you are interested
in the beauty of logic) and not care too much who sits opposite you.  The
interaction between humans and computer programs can only enhance the quality of
chess play in the long run.

As for the Van der Sterren's forfeit, I believe that the organisers made a good
decision:  after ten out of eleven players agreed to play Fritz, V.d.Sterren
proved to be a real party pooper.  Why wouldn't he join and play a serious game
of chess?  Playing a computer program is playing chess, isn't it?  Or, perhaps,
you consider playing chess against a program as not being chess?

Time will come when this sort of discussion will simply be considered as a mere
waste of time, time will come when chess programs will be just "participants" in
chess tourneys.  Why not accept that future rationally and in time?

***  Djordje




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