Author: Chris Whittington
Date: 04:11:45 10/14/97
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On October 14, 1997 at 05:41:32, Amir Ban wrote: > >WMCCC participants received an email from Tony about clock handlind. I >replied with a suggestion that I am posting here for the forum's >consideration > >Amir > >----------------------------------------------------------- > >Tony, > >Here is a suggestion: > >Let us reverse the rule here. Require all operators to keep their >program clocks up-to-date whenever they wish, in such a way that it >is not more than two minutes behind or ahead of the official clock. Not agreed. this opens up the possibility of 'cheating' near the time control. A little story from the past ... Computer Olympiad 1990 (or whatever, I've forgotten). My program was playing a Fidelity machine (of of those $4000 to enter in the WMCCC thingies), operated by a Mr. Furstenberg. I think the time controls were 40 in 120 or something, averaging 3 minutes per move. Anyway the Fidelity machine was set to play at some specific time control and was fairly accurate at meeting it; but two moves before the time control it was getting short of time, and would, at its average rate of play have lost on time. Two move before the time control the operator adjusted the internal clock of the Fidelity machine, telling it that it had 2 minutes left. The real time it had left was 5 minutes. I forget the exact times, but you get the drift; by a non-reality clock adjustment it went from a situation where it was going to lose on time, to one where it coudln't possibly lose on time. I complained to the arbiter (Valvo); he said "its fine he can do it if he wants". To my mind its cheating. telling the program it has less time left than it really has, just before the time control, to force it to think fast and not be in danger of losing on time. It gives the opportunity to be slightly more generous in the time allowance in the earlier part of the game, and gain an advantage. I'ld argue for the operator to be able to adjust the time to within a MAXIMUM of 30 secs out of reality. Chris >If the clock is off by more than two minutes, then the opponent or >the TD can demand that the clock be adjusted not later than before >the next program input. In specific cases, the TD may demand the >clock to be adjusted as accurately as the program allows. > >The rationale is simple: The only way to manipulate is to have an >internal clock which is biased in some direction, so this should be >forbidden. Synchronization at all times should be encouraged. The >fact that there are two clocks that must be synchronised is a >technical nuisance of our field and I don't understand what logic >there is in restricting synchronisation at all times. > >Regards, > >Amir > >P.S. I will post this suggestion on CCC for additional feedback. > > >> From: Tony Marsland >> To: 15wmcc@cs.ualberta.ca >> Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997 22:31:43 -0600 (MDT) >> Cc: DavidL@intrsrch.demon.co.uk (David Levy) >> Organization: University of Alberta > >> To all 15WMCC participants and interested parties: >> >> A question has been asked about rule 11, specifically about when time >> clock synchronization can be done. In essence rule 11 reads: >> >> An operator can only >> (1) type in moves and >> (2) synchronize the internal computer clock with an official clock. >> This latter activity must be observed by the Tournament Director or his >> designate. >> >> Always the intent this rule was to discourage (prevent) people from >> trying to manipulate their program through the time-control mechanism. >> >> Years ago we expected the computer to make a rational decision about >> when its internal clock should be synchronized, and it was required to >> output a message to that effect. This caused some systems difficulties, >> and led others to simply output this "synchronize" message every move. >> This seems like a bit of a subversion of the intent, but very practical. >> >> Since anybody can output a clock adjust message at every move, it seems >> reasonable that this be the default. But, since most people don't >> actually adjust their clock every move (it takes time and requires the >> attention of the TD), it seems that other more flexible and more >> convenient criteria are needed. >> >> Since the purposes of the rule is to ensure that any slow/fast running >> of the official external mechanical clock can be reflected in the >> computer's internal clock, I propose the following working arrangement: >> >> >> Recognizing that it is impossible for the computer to know that the >> "official" clock is malfunctioning unless the operator tells it, >> operators may adjust the programs chess clock whenever the program >> clock and the official clock differ by more than 30 seconds. When >> the two clocks differ by more than one minute, the opponent can insist >> that the clock be synchonized before the opponent's next move is made >> on the board. >> >> It follows that either operator can request a clock adjustment, and so >> both parties must be able to view the screen of the affected computer >> while the change goes on. >> >> Whether the TD must be present to observe this adjustment to the >> internal clock is open, and will be decided before the start >> of each round. This whole issue will have to be agreed to at the >> players' meeting before the event starts. This message is just to >> provide one mechanism for you to consider. >> >> Good luck with your preparations, I hope this guideline meets with >> general approval. >> >> Tony Marsland >>
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