Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 20:29:05 02/29/04
Go up one level in this thread
On February 29, 2004 at 21:49:41, Omid David Tabibi wrote: >The tournament format for WCCC that was originally decided was: > >-------- >http://www.cs.unimaas.nl/icga/news/events/Israel/event.html > >The format for the 12th World Computer Chess Championship WCCC2004 will be: >5-round Swiss, after which the top 4 + 4 teams get to play a 2-round elimination >at each stage, and the bottom teams continue to compete for the 9th spot playing >a 6-round Swiss. >-------- > >However, since a large number of amateur programmers expressed their disapproval >of this system, we have decided to change the format so that it will attract the >largest number of programmers. Currently the two options are: > >A) Like the original format, but with re-entry: > >Divide the participants into two groups. Conduct 5 rounds Swiss, and top 4 from >each group (total of 8) will qualify for next stage, which will be a knockout (2 >rounds quarter-final, 2 rounds semi-final, 2 rounds final). The other programs >will continue with 6 more Swiss rounds. However, the *difference* is: the losers >in the knockout will join the other programs (who haven't qualified for knockout >phase) in continuing with additional Swiss rounds (with all the points they >scored in the first 5 rounds and in the knockout phase). > >The advantage of this method over the original one is that the amateurs will get >more chances of playing against commercial programs after the first 5 rounds. > >B) 11 rounds Swiss. > >In Graz WCCC everything was basically over after 7 rounds. The last 4 rounds >didn't change anything at all. That is the reason why we are trying to choose a >more exciting format. > >However, our primary goal is maximizing participation. So, if 11 rounds Swiss >will attract the largest number of participants, then we will opt for it. > > >We are interested in hearing your opinion, especially the opinion of programmers >who are considering participation in WCCC. > >Thanks, > >Omid David Tabibi (davoudo@cs.biu.ac.il), >Bar-Ilan University. Why don't you address _the_ problem, rather than trying random solutions that won't do anything useful. "the problem" is too many rounds for too few participants. There are two solutions: (1) get more participants. Not very likely. Particularly in light of other issues already beat to death in the past. Event is too long, making it a problem. Always hosting it in Europe, with a visit to the Middle-East, is another problem. Etc. (2) reduce the number of rounds. There are other alternatives: (3) do a good job of seeding. Then only pair the best score vs the worst score, and so forth, for 5 rounds. That way no top competitors will play each other, to make the last rounds more exciting. (4) Same as 3 but first 6 rounds are double rounds, where in rounds 1 and 2 the same two programs play, but they reverse colors. (5) For the first 5-6 rounds, flip a coin to see who wins, then play the last 5 rounds normally. IE there are a nearly infinite number of stupid ways to make the last N rounds more important. There is only one _reasonable_ way. Reduce the number of rounds.
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