Author: Paul Jacobean Sacral
Date: 18:39:54 11/19/05
If at tournaments like the Dutch Championships, World Championships and other comparable "big" events, 50% or more of the games are decided by opening books and opponent specific opening preparation, it is IMO not acceptable. It's acceptable for the participants who are especially happy if they manage to win by that, but not for users, fans, and later customers. Results of such tournaments lose information value about the engine's relative strengths, more and more as it seems to me. I would like to see unified, or standardised, opening books for all participants in such events. I know that the book file formats are different, but that is a problem the programmers can surely solve, for instance by defining a PGN database of games where all the books each, should be based upon IOW should be generated from. I would prefer that no book editing is allowed during the tournament. I have respect for the knowledge and creativity of the book experts. Nevertheless, these tournaments are intended to be computer chess competition, not opening guru competition. IMO this is much unlike human grandmaster chess, because there it is the player himself who has to learn and remember the variants, and know the corresponding patterns and strategies. In computer chess, these are two elements which obviously are (nearly) completely separated, technically and personally. What's the use of results and titles, if maybe three games from nine were decided 3-0 just because the book cook was much cleverer, which otherwise could have been for example 1-2. Two points up or down can mean champion or 4th rank. It shouldn't be an unclear mixture of two different competitions, or "human & engine" team tournaments. I want chess software tournaments, and if I can buy the progam later, I basically want the very same thing which participated, complete. Any supporters? Alternatively, you can tell me that these computer championship tournaments are only fun events for the participants themselves and not intended to provide any useful information value for potential customers and users. In that case, it's ok and none of my business. But then, please do not put any "Champion" badges on the box or advertise with it, if it means nothing... Thanks! :-) Yours truly Paul J. Sacral
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