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Subject: Re: The Moral of the Story is

Author: Mogens Larsen

Date: 08:41:29 05/02/01

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On May 02, 2001 at 07:50:10, Larry Proffer wrote:

>Sounds right but muddled ordering gives a wrong impression.
>
>BGN wanted to make a Kramnik-program match.
>
>BGN wanted a pre-program match to generate publicity and interest.
>
>BGN do not know much about computer chess and they came from a particular
>direction that led them to first Ossi, and then Chessbase.
>
>Ossi didn't want any competition for 'his' program. 100% win chance.
>
>Chessbase wanted their programs in but no others. Win chances increased.
>
>Chessbase proposed using Enrique as 'Linares of Computer Chess' organiser.
>
>Somehow SSDF became involved.
>
>Enrique made a deal to autoplay the tournament and was told which programs would
>be in. He didn't choose anything.
>
>The choice of programs effectively became Chessbase's. BGN just relyed on what
>they were advised and were not too bothered which programs competed.
>
>Chessbase, as a result of being cooperative with BGN, with thanks to the Ossi
>temper tantrum, got a very attractive deal - a 100% winning chance before the
>event.

That sounds like a very plausible explanation. The correspondance between
Enrique and Rebel was essentially pointless, since he didn't seem to have any
influence on the arrangement except running the actual match. I'm just surprised
that he would participate in such a scam.

The involvement of SSDF was apparently an attempt to give it an aura of
legitimacy. The reference to international computer rating lists, which don't
exist AFAIK, as a prerequisite for selection implies that conclusion.
Unfortunately, the attempt didn't work if you discount elements of the media.

>This is all irrelevant anyway. Whether they had or didn't have SMP versions.

Agreed. The one thing that bothers me is the pretense, ie. seemingly
contemplating the suggestion by Schröder and then finding a way to make it
impossible. Not that I supported the suggestion, but the deceit is disgusting
IMO.

>Other programmers have strong SMP versions, possibly better than Fritz and
>Junior.

Most likely. Both known SMP programs and experimental and/or secret versions.

>The key to it is that all the other possible contenders were simply ignored.

That would be true as well. They were never looking for SMP programs beyond the
simplest possible solution, so offers and suggestions were pointless from the
start. The closed nature of the arrangement and the tight schedule illustrates
the intentions quite well.

Regards,
Mogens



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