A compromise idea for the WCCC hardware limit

[bob]

I cant see where this argument matters at all anyway. Just as Bob Hyatt stated earlier quite a few days ago, unequal hardware or equal hardware- it really isnt going to matter in the end. Because you will still have too few games played to really determine much of anything- actually nothing- as far as strength and ratings are concerned. If you want the truth about comparable engine strength- go to CCRL or CEGT, as Bob suggested. I personally would like to see Hydra- or even Deep Blue (a wish) if ever remantled- play Rybka, Hiarcs, Shredder, Naum, Crafty etc.- which would not be possible under = hardware.

Best,

Yup. CCRL and CEGT are now the best source of equal hardware tournament.

The last ACCA tournament just had the best open hardware tournament.

Which leads to the question - What is the WCCC for?

It's primary function, according to the original charter of the ICCA, was to foster computer chess development around the world. Apparently it is being relegated to a pure fund-raising enterprise, but with an acute lack of interest, it is going to be more and more difficult to use it for that purpose. And without the WCCC type events, I am not sure the ICGA journal can survive since that is a major source of revenue that supports the journal.

Let's see what happens, since it appears to be a "done deal". If David is right, the WCCC will have far better participation than the upcoming CCT tournament which will still allow open hardware...

CCT is a good tournament but would there be a great turnout if everybody had to travel to the States for it? I wouldn't mind the trip

That is yet another problem. And there are options. At the ACCA, many participated over the internet, several got together at one location. In the old days, face-to-face was nice, but with today's CCC and similar facilities, there are plenty of opportunities for interaction without the expense. A 3-4-5 day event would be far better than what is done in the WCCC's from an expense / convenience perspective. And since DB vs Kasparov, interest in computer chess has been low enough that the ICC type tournaments probably have a longer usable lifetime than in-person events like the WCCC anyway.