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Subject: Re: Are time controls too long?

Author: Gian-Carlo Pascutto

Date: 00:56:32 09/19/03

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On September 19, 2003 at 01:30:20, Russell Reagan wrote:

>Are time controls too long for serious computer vs. computer chess games?
>
>I think that long time controls such as 40 moves in 2 hours aren't necessary on
>today's hardware in serious computer vs. computer chess games. In 1999 the WCCC
>was decided using a time control of 40 moves in 2 hours, 30 moves in 1 hour, and
>the rest of the moves in 30 minutes. Given that hardware doubles every 18
>months, this is equivalent to a time control of 40 moves in 15 minutes, 30 moves
>in 7.5 minutes, rest of the game in 3.75 minutes. These are considered blitz
>time controls today, but these exact same time controls were used to decide the
>world champion of computer chess, and this was only in 1999. Imagine the
>equivalent time control to the time controls that decided some of the very first
>WCCC/WMCCC events!
>
>I think time controls such as game in 60 minutes with a 30 second increment are
>more than sufficient for serious computer vs. computer chess games, and this
>gives the bonus of being able to play more games, which is prefered IMO when
>trying to decide the superior engine. Game in 1 hour is equivalent to game in 8
>hours (!) in 1999, and I think everyone would agree that for a serious computer
>vs. computer event, game in 8 hours is a little ridiculous.
>
>Correspondance chess is another matter entirely, since that involves human
>opponents.


The programs themselves also change to take advantage of the faster hardware
you know...

--
GCP



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