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Subject: Re: Isn't it an easy case?

Author: Bob Durrett

Date: 08:41:56 12/01/03

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On December 01, 2003 at 11:30:54, Robert Hyatt wrote:

>On December 01, 2003 at 11:23:09, Bob Durrett wrote:
>
>>On December 01, 2003 at 11:00:16, Sven Reichard wrote:
>>
>>>On December 01, 2003 at 10:17:16, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>>>>
>>>>The operator made the decision to play on.  But the operator is _not_ allowed
>>>>to make _any_ decisions while a game is in progress, as per the rules.
>>>>Therefore this reasoning simply is unsound because it is based on rules that
>>>>were not in effect.  The operator is passive.  He _always_ has been passive,
>>>>at least when we go by the rules in force for these events.
>>>>
>>>
>>>If he is always passive, I don't see the point of having an operator. Most
>>>programs run on all-purpose hardware (maybe enhanced by some additional
>>>circuits) with networking capabilities. Why not have the opponents communicate
>>>directly, using a standard interface like xboard or UCI, maybe relayed via an
>>>arbiter program? Then they can decide for themselves whether to offer or claim a
>>>draw.
>>>
>>>If the GUI makes decisions for the engine, the combination GUI/engine should be
>>>considered the competitor.
>>>
>>>Sven.
>>
>>My understand is that the operator is there for a good reason similar to why a
>>wise tournament director must be there.  Chess computer tournaments are still
>>evolving and humans need to be there to correct for errors or oversights of the
>>programmers.
>
>Crafty has played over 1 million games on chess servers with no problems.  We
>want the operators there in case there is a network issue that causes a
>disconnect, or a hardware problem that might require a reboot (very rare), and
>to discuss things with other programmers.  We don't need operators to handle
>normal "problems" as they simply don't happen.

Please forgive me for saying this, but:  "In all due respect, playing your
engine on a chess server is simply not the same thing as playing in a chess
computer tournament.  You might use similar technology but there are significant
differences in the two situations."

Bob D.

>
>>  When the available rule set fails to properly cover a new
>>situation, humans must get involved.  Hopefully, their actions will be
>>reasonable.  [Throwing a draw away would not be reasonable.]
>>
>>Bob D.



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