Why handicapping a machine might fail to succeed

[Ovyron]

Code: Select all

           Rybka      GM
Lose         0         0
Draw         1         3
Win          2         4

Isn't that the same than:

Code: Select all

           Rybka      GM
Lose         0         0
Draw         0         2
Win          0         2

?

In the end what matters is point difference.

[Dirt]

Code: Select all

           Rybka      GM
Lose         0         0
Draw         1         3
Win          2         4

Isn't that the same than:

Code: Select all

           Rybka      GM
Lose         0         0
Draw         0         2
Win          0         2

?

In the end what matters is point difference.

No, I guess my table isn't clear to you. Perhaps this equivalent table is better:

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                Rybka      GM
Rybka Loss         0         4
Rybka Draw         1         3
Rybka Win          2         0

If you prefer, this is the same as:

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                Rybka      GM
Rybka Loss         0         4
Rybka Draw         0         2
Rybka Win          2         0

[Dirt]

Inspired by the Bilbao scoring, here is a handicap that would give a GM a fair chance but would result in real chess games. Just use the following point table:

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           Rybka      GM
Lose         0         0
Draw         1         3
Win          2         4

If the human never wins this is equivalent to draw odds, yet there is still an incentive to try for the win.

If Rybka gets a draw, human deserves 3 points? But if Rybka wins, only 2 points will be rewarded? Don't you think that's slightly unfair.

I would slightly modify your version and propose this scoring instead which would make sense mathematically:

Code: Select all

           Rybka      GM
Lose         0         0
Draw         1         2
Win          2         4

A handicap match can't really be fair. I was trying to give at least draw odds, while yours is probably a bit less (depending on what the GM's chance of a win is). For a strong enough player yours might be better.