Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Allow each human participant limited computer time, perhaps.

Author: Roger

Date: 20:40:39 01/15/00

Go up one level in this thread


Instead of framing the issue as programs in or out, another possibility is to
allow humans to use programs in a limited way to achieve "tactical sufficiency,"
in order to eliminate very weak moves.

This could be done in a number of ways. For example, the human could receive up
to 1 minute of computer time (the processor speed would be standardized across
tournament participants) per move at 40/120.

Another way of doing it would be to allow the human to use a total of 30 minutes
of computer time at 40/120. You can bring whatever programs you want (so you can
choose whatever program you think might be best for a particular position), but
once it starts searching...you get only 30 minutes. Obviously, there are many
possible variations on the rules.

This differs from "Advanced Chess" in that the computer is not running all the
time, but only long enough to limit the role of tactics and allow positional
judgment to play a larger role in the game. Moreover, the player must anticipate
the kinds of positions and complications that might develop, and allocate
computer time to each, and to best program for the position, so that such
judgments become an interesting point of play. Whether it is nobler to save
time, or use it? That is the question...  You can also see commentators saying,
"Well, program X might be the best choice in a closed position like this..."

This would make both human-human and human-computer matches much more
interesting. I doubt if the players would have such stenuous objections to
programs participating in tournaments if they could also use the computer as a
limited tool and thereby show off their positional judgment.

Roger


On January 15, 2000 at 17:54:17, Phil Richard wrote:

>I would really like the thoughts from people regarding
>computers being allowed in human tournaments...
>We have reached a point where very few people are able
>to compete (esp. Blitz) against a machine in normal conditions.
>
>This is like allowing motorbikes to compete in the Olympics against
>humans runners!!
>
>Maybe more players should take a stand like Kasparov
>regarding the "Frankfurt Giants".
>
>Machine V Machine events attract a lot of interest, but please
>let's keep them separate..



This page took 0 seconds to execute

Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700

Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.