Computer Chess Club Archives


Search

Terms

Messages

Subject: Re: Strength of the engine in chess programs (Summary of the debate)

Author: José Carlos

Date: 06:20:42 05/24/02

Go up one level in this thread


On May 24, 2002 at 00:38:52, Robert Hyatt wrote:

>On May 23, 2002 at 18:00:04, José Carlos wrote:
>
>>  I'll try to make my point again. My english is also not very good, and I'd
>>prefer to discuss in spanish, but since a spanish-german debate would not be
>>very useful, I'll try to say it in english.
>>  If I understand you right (correct me if I'm wrong) you try to find a solution
>>for the actual situation of FIDE refusing computers in official tournaments. And
>>you say (I'm not informed about this) that FIDE rejects programs because they
>>say they cheat "reading" books.
>>  Now, it is a very important point for the discussion whether you agree with
>>FIDE or not. If you agree, then I'll try to exaplain why I think they're wrong.
>>If you don't, then we should try to find a way to make them understand.
>>
>>  José C.
>
>
>This is not the current state of affairs.  Years ago FIDE passed a resolution
>allowing computers to play.  The problem was that the entry fee was ridiculous
>for anybody but (say) an IBM.  $10,000 is the figure I remember to allow a
>computer to play for one year in FIDE events, although the event organizers
>had the right to say "no" still.  I don't know whether this rule is still in
>force or not.
>
>Computers have not been excluded because they "cheat".  The problems with
>computers in human events are well-known:
>
>1.  noise.  The machine is not quiet, programs like to beep, keyboards click,
>fans whirr, power supplies hum, crowds gather around the monitor (which whines)
>to see the output, etc.  As a result a separate room is usually needed to move
>the computer noise out of the main playing hall.
>
>2.  rules such as the USCF rule that says any player may, prior to the first
>round, notify the TD that they do not want to be paired against the computer.
>This causes pairing problems in later rounds and also skews the final tournament
>results badly.  I could write volumes about this as I was right in the middle
>of such an event with Cray Blitz in 1981.  More if you want.
>
>3.  computers (in the old days when this was an issue) required phone lines
>to communicate with the actual machine playing chess (IE a Cray for us).
>
>4.  there are always "anti-computer" people present at events.  They complain,
>groan, accuse, etc, making the TD's life miserable.  There was once a USCF
>group that called themselves "Citizens against Computers".
>
>It doesn't take much for a TD/organizer to say "no way".  It happened all over
>the US in the 1980's...


  I see. I wasn't aware of all of that, but seems quite logical. And I, myself,
have problems accepting a computer playing a tournament I play in!
  However, it seems that Rolf thinks the "book cheating" is the problem. At
least, I understand that from his words. Of course, that "book cheating" is
nonsense.

  José C.



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.