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Subject: Re: Shredder vs Johnny - 3 fold repetition, but rules give Shredder win

Author: Roger D Davis

Date: 15:45:17 11/29/03

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>>
>>Yup, if one program clearly outplays another but somehow allows a threefold rep,
>>then the win should be awarded. But, if it only marginally outplays the other
>>program, then a draw is a draw. If the boundary between "clearly" and
>>"marginally" is fuzzy, then a panel can be formed to decide the issue.
>
>Are you only talking about this situation, or all cases of threefold rep? If the
>latter, then why have the threefold rep rule at all?
>
>Regards
>Dave

I was just being cynical...I have this character flaw that causes me to make
cynical comments that are right at the threshold of believability. Then when I'm
called on it later, I might defend my comment, or not, based upon whether I'm
still feeling cynical.

In this situation, for example, I might argue that because the threefold rep
could conceivably change the outcome of the tournment, then if Shredder goes on
to win, we can ask if it won because it's Shredder, or because of the error or
an operator having nothing to do with Shredder? Conceivably, then, the outcome
of the entire tournament could be decided by lack of operator education. And
since that constitutes violence to the integrity of the tournament and to the
earnestness, hard work, and preparation of the participants, and since the
tournament has already been compromised by the whole List affair, then clearly
expert judgment is required to ensure that some technicality doesn't give
victory where it's not deserved.

But you know, rules are rules, right? In the letter from the IGCA on the
chessbase site, they quote their own charter to make sure that everyone knows
they're just following the rules. So if operator error works to further cloud
the outcome of an already absurd tournament, then I think we can see the law of
karma at work.

Roger



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