Poll: Non-author operators in the CCT

[Tord Romstad]

I have no intention of participating in the CCT10 (life is too short for on-line computer chess tournaments, IMHO), but I have been contacted by a user who wants to participate with my program, and asks for my permission. I personally don't care whether my program plays in the tournament, and the only potential reason for me to decline the request is if a lot of participants and spectators are annoyed by programs with non-author operators.

Therefore, I've created this poll. If the majority votes against non-author operators, I'll advice the user who contacted me not to use my program in the CCT.

Tord

[Graham Banks]

I have no intention of participating in the CCT10 (life is too short for on-line computer chess tournaments, IMHO), but I have been contacted by a user who wants to participate with my program, and asks for my permission. I personally don't care whether my program plays in the tournament, and the only potential reason for me to decline the request is if a lot of participants and spectators are annoyed by programs with non-author operators.

Therefore, I've created this poll. If the majority votes against non-author operators, I'll advice the user who contacted me not to use my program in the CCT.

Tord

Hi Tord,

I see no problem with a non-author operating your engine as long as it's somebody that is well known and considered to be trustworthy.
You can't be too careful these days.

Regards, Graham.

[CRoberson]

Hi Tord,

IMHO there are two issues with havnig authors instead of operators.
I am not opposed to operators as long as the issues are addressed.

1) Some operators are poorly trained on setting up an engine on
ICC and geting its variables correct as well as setting up kibitzing
and so forth. This is the biggest issue and tends to slow down
online tournaments while the rest of us hold the operators hand.

2) I like to see authors online so that I can chat with knowledgable
people on the subject of computer chess and/or chess.
If your operator is not computer chess knowledgable as far as the
computer science of it goes, then it would be nice if they can atleast
carry on a conversation about chess play. Basically, they need to
be able to contribute to the online conversation.

The big impetus for authors tournaments is so we authors can chat
with each other (IMHO). There is gain in having the latest and
experimental versions play each other but the big gain for me and
many other authors is the tech chat.

Personally, I don't mind having operators but I like a low percentage
of nonauthors. I've operated some programs in the past along side
my own programs. The advantage of this is merely that I know how
to put engines online.

[swami]

2) I like to see authors online so that I can chat with knowledgable
people on the subject of computer chess and/or chess.
If your operator is not computer chess knowledgable as far as the
computer science of it goes, then it would be nice if they can atleast
carry on a conversation about chess play. Basically, they need to
be able to contribute to the online conversation.

I wonder whether the above point is compulsory requirement for the tournament?Why is that?I don't understand why they need to be able to contribute to online discussion, if they can't then exclude them?some of the operators do few kibitzes maybe because their language is german and have poor english etc but I dont see why we should exclude them?I think it'd be great to have a lot of engines playing, this has always been a tradition at CCT.

I know some operators are poorly trained on how to set it up in ICC,you have a valid point there.

[Mike S.]

I guess not even all engine authors meet your no. 2 requirement.

[Graham Banks]

2) I like to see authors online so that I can chat with knowledgable
people on the subject of computer chess and/or chess.
If your operator is not computer chess knowledgable as far as the
computer science of it goes, then it would be nice if they can atleast
carry on a conversation about chess play. Basically, they need to
be able to contribute to the online conversation.

Some might not enjoy the online conversation necessity and might just prefer to see their engine participating.
Not everybody is gregarious.
Would such engine authors be unwelcome?
Not trying to be disrespectful or to undermine your efforts (which I'm sure are appreciated by many) - just wondering about this aspect.

Regards, Graham.

[Will Singleton]

I have no intention of participating in the CCT10 (life is too short for on-line computer chess tournaments, IMHO), but I have been contacted by a user who wants to participate with my program, and asks for my permission. I personally don't care whether my program plays in the tournament, and the only potential reason for me to decline the request is if a lot of participants and spectators are annoyed by programs with non-author operators.

Therefore, I've created this poll. If the majority votes against non-author operators, I'll advice the user who contacted me not to use my program in the CCT.

Tord

First, I think your poll is misdirected. The voters should be the participants of the tournament.

Second, I don't know why you'd put this up for a vote, when the rules clearly allow for your program to enter with an operator.

Third, if you don't care about the tournament, then why make this silly post and poll?

[Tony Thomas]

When it comes to Glaurung I would like to see it participate in any tournament. However, I dont want to see any clonka or blenka competing as a regular engine operated by some unknown person.

[Christopher Conkie]

When it comes to Glaurung I would like to see it participate in any tournament. However, I dont want to see any clonka or blenka competing as a regular engine operated by some unknown person.

Problems?

LOLKA

Chriska

[Tony Thomas]

I was just saying that by allowing anonymous operators to enter tournaments using the name of a known engine we are increasing the chances of cheating. Of course the chances of it happening are lot less when it is not an online tournament. When are you planning to release Pisska? Cant waitka.