Author: Peter McKenzie
Date: 22:18:17 02/29/04
Go up one level in this thread
On February 29, 2004 at 23:29:05, Robert Hyatt wrote: >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. That doesn't seem like a problem to me. Hell, if you take that attitude then World Championship matches would only last 1 game. Then Fischer would have lost to Spassky! > >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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