Author: Robert Hyatt
Date: 09:15:51 03/01/04
Go up one level in this thread
On March 01, 2004 at 01:18:17, Peter McKenzie wrote: >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! Let's come back to reality. For Fischer/Spassky +I+ didn't have to travel there, and stay for two weeks. 11 rounds is too many with 16 players. It would make _more_ sense to add another 4 rounds and make it a pure round-robin. But it is the _length_ that is the problem. The number of rounds is an issue Omid brought up because the last four rounds were completely meaningless to the final outcome. That is one issue. The overall length of the tournament is too long for me (and others) to attend. That is another issue. > >> >>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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