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Subject: Re: Congrats to Ruffian!

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 10:10:03 10/29/03

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On October 29, 2003 at 11:19:46, Sune Fischer wrote:

>On October 29, 2003 at 10:13:10, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>I didn't bring it up, I just pointed out that there were _plenty_ of examples
>>of contrived results to favor a company over a single instance of a chess
>>program.
>
>I'm far from convinced there is problem nowadays.
>There might be a slight conflict of interest, but if the book guy is pro enough
>he should be able to walk the fine line.
>
>>I don't mind sharing ideas, or even making suggestions for the book.  But to
>>put someone on creating a book with a significant effort, then letting multiple
>>programs use that book, seems unreasonable to me.  As I said, a typical chess
>>game lasts 50 moves.  I have played _many_ games where the first 20-25 moves
>>come from the book.  That is a _major_ influence on the result, since the book
>>supplies 1/2 of the total moves played in the game...
>>
>>That is _direct_ involvement in the final outcome, providing just as many
>>moves as the actual chess engine.  If three programs can share the same
>>book, should we not allow the same program to enter three times with three
>>different books?  Same thing _exactly_.
>
>Think of the book as being delivered by sub-contract, just like the tyres are in
>Formula 1.

OK.  But think of the engine as being delivered by sub-contract.  I'm a
chess-player, not a programmer, so I don't know how to write an engine.  But
I do know how to develop a great (and novel) opening book.  Can I enter and
compete?


>
>You have few manufactores that supplies the whole lot.
>Kind of the same senario where a sub contractor can theoreticly have great
>incluence on many teams.
>
>The alternative is that everyone starts producing their own set, which is a huge
>project in itself and would draw too many resources from the "interesting"
>parts.
>
>>I disagree.  When I compete in anything, I want a level playing field.  Whether
>>it be chess, checkers, tennis or fishing.
>>
>
>Yes so do I, but before we attempt such a thing we must try to define what is
>fair and what is not.

I don't mind a single person for an opponent.

I don't mind a team as an opponent.

What I do mind is sharing members between teams, which _could_ produce a
different program for each team member.  That maximizes that team's chance
of producing a #1.

>
>>>Why not?
>>>I definitely feel cheated, I would like to use the Kure book as well :)
>>
>>I rest my case.  I would too...
>>
>>:)
>>
>>Chessbase distributes a crafty binary for their GUI.  Shouldn't I therefore
>>be able to use their book?  :)
>
>I guess if you want to play in their GUI and all, connecting through UCI, walk
>around in a big "I love Chessbase T-shirt" etc. Maybe you could?
>
>-S.

I might "could".  But I definitely _wouldn't_...





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