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Subject: Re: WCCC-99 Rules - Bob was correct

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 07:27:35 06/19/99

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On June 19, 1999 at 02:42:47, Bruce Moreland wrote:

>On June 19, 1999 at 00:44:07, Ricardo Gibert wrote:
>
>>On June 19, 1999 at 00:18:28, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>>
>>>On June 18, 1999 at 22:32:52, Ricardo Gibert wrote:
>>>
>>>>On June 18, 1999 at 19:44:44, Albert Silver wrote:
>>>>
>>>>>I looked up the tournment rules as Bob Hyatt had mentioned that an author had to
>>>>>be present when entering a program in the WCCC-99. Bruce had asked this to be
>>>>>confirmed so I am presenting the relevant tournament rules here:
>>>>>
>>>>>Tournament Rules
>>>>>
>>>>>Paderborn, Germany
>>>>>14-20 June 1999
>>>>>
>>>>>The Board of ICCA
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>Below the Board of ICCA provides information on the tournament rules and a
>>>>>provisional tournament schedule. For convenience, the times of the Advances in
>>>>>Computer Chess 9 Conference are included in the provisional schedule too.
>>>>>
>>>>>  1.Each entry is a computing system and one or more humans who programmed it.
>>>>>At least one of the program developers must attend the championship to operate
>>>>>the program. At least 50% of the entering developers, and all developers
>>>>>attending the event, must be ICCA members in good standing. No exceptions will
>>>>>be made to this rule.
>>>>>
>>>>>  2.Each program must be the original work of the entering developers. Programs
>>>>>derived from, or including, chess-playing code written by others (for example,
>>>>>programs based on CRAFTY), must name all other authors, or the source of such
>>>>>code, in their application details. Programs which are discovered to be close
>>>>>derivatives of others (e.g., by playing nearly all moves the same), may be
>>>>>declared invalid by the Tournament Director, after seeking expert advice. For
>>>>>this purpose, a listing of all chess-related programs running on the system must
>>>>>be available on demand to the Tournament Director.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>                                Albert Silver
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>Rule 1 is an annoying weird rule.  Unfortunately, Dr. Hyatt did not realize that
>>>>all he had to do was point to someone and say "you're one of the authors" (and
>>>>make them an ICCA member) to satisfy the requirement.  To stay "honest", he
>>>>could have him/her modify the opening book.  This rule is not much of an
>>>>obstacle and is just silly.  Crafty is an interesting and useful benchmark to
>>>>measure other programs, since it is strong and well tested in internet play.  I
>>>>think its non-participation hurts the tourney (and DR. Hyatt).
>>>
>>>
>>>I don't understand the purpose of rule 1, particularly when it is specifically
>>>not used in the WMCCC event which is also ICCA-sponsored.  Perhaps an attempt
>>>to get the programmers together to exchange ideas, but that is a joke is it
>>>not?  How many commercial programmers exchange anything?  Marty is the first
>>>to write something and publish it (book learning) that I have seen...  and he
>>>deserves a pat on the back... now it he will continue that trend.  :)
>>>
>>>Bob
>>
>>Maybe they just want to be able to talk to someone face to face who has
>>competent knowledge about the program in case a problem or dispute arises.  If
>>that is the motive, it's not unreasonable, just inconvenient.  I'm sure they did
>>not intend to preclude your programs participation.  After all, your programs
>>name was incorporated in the 2nd rule!
>
>I think there are a lot of reasons for the rule.
>
>First, if most people start sending operators, the event is devalued for those
>who come in person.  You have to play the strong programs, but any sort of
>social opportunity between authors is prevented.
>
>Second, authors provide continuity and common experience.  If my program is
>winning against another program, I know how it feels to lose, since I have been
>there many times.  And if I involved in an incident, it is with both me and my
>program the next year, whereas with an operator there is probably a different
>operator the next year.
>
>Additionally, there is a matter of equality and respect.  If some other author's
>time is considered by whomever to be more important than mine, I feel insulted.
>
>I'm in favor of author participation.  I don't know if I would have gone so far
>as to make it a rule, but since it is a rule I don't know why the rule has been
>broken.  To be fair, I haven't asked.  If I see Tony today I'll ask him.
>
>bruce


I've _never_ had problems with a rule... so long as it is enforced  in a non-
arbitrary manner.  That is my only grumble here...  it was enforced in a very
inconsistent manner...



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