Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: WMCCC clock handling

Author: Ulrich Tuerke

Date: 06:35:57 10/14/97

Go up one level in this thread


On October 14, 1997 at 09:00:13, Chris Whittington wrote:

>
>On October 14, 1997 at 08:38:41, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>I responded to Tony also.  I suggested the following modification:
>>Since
>>it is not uncommon for the operator to fudge the clock by some finite
>>amount to allow time for forgetting to hit the clock or for technical
>>difficulties, I suggest that at the beginning of the match, the two
>>operators
>>simply inform each other of the "fudge" (IE 5 minutes) and that this be
>>enforced for *all* clock updates for that program.  IE if we say our
>>fudge
>>is 5 minutes, then each correction must bring the clock back to the real
>>clock - 5 minutes, no exceptions.
>>
>>In the case of Crafty, I have this built in. so that the operator
>>doesn't
>>have to enter a false time, we simply set an operator overhead which
>>Crafty
>>dutifully removes from the clock before calculating target times.  But I
>>don't
>>see why we would object if our opponent hasn't done this and wants to
>>"lie"
>>to the program, just so he consistently lies by exactly the same amount
>>for
>>each clock update...
>
>Any fudge allowance opens up the possibility of cheating in some way you
>haven't yet dreamed of.
>
>programs should enter only the REAL time (+/- 30 secs at most).
>
>Any desired  fudge can be done within the program. Most do some sort of
>operator fudge anyway, as you point out with Crafty. If they don't, well
>they should do; just like they should save the game as PGN and show the
>move on the screen and and and.
>
>Chris Whittington
>

I would prefer Bob's solution. Why not agree on a constant operator time
prior to start of the game. This time has to be subtracted from the
remaining time on the physical clock; and that is the time to be
entered. This is a unique recipe where I do not see the chance for
manipulation.
To enter the remaining time +/- max 30 seconds on the other hand would
leave some space to manipulate. Furthermore, there are programs not
accounting for an operator time (as mine); entering the remaining time
without a reserve would soon lead to the next deviation for these
programs (and put a lot of stress on the operators).

Regards, Uli

>
>>
>>
>>
>>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.
>>>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
>>>>



This page took 0.01 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.