CCT 10 - Early discussion and date selection.

[Peter Skinner]

Hello everyone,

Last event I opened the discussion to the event quite late I thought and this time I want to make sure everything is in place.

This is what I was thinking to improve the event and fixing some of the issues that came up at the last event.

--------------------------------Rules--------------------------------------------

Time control: 60 + 1
Rounds: 7 Swiss Pairing
Start times: Based on EST. (ICC Time)

1. No manually operated programs, and all programs must kibitz their evaluation, and book moves/TB hits if possible. Providing as much information as possible for the viewers and participants is key here. It should also be noted that 1-3 lines of text is sufficient. No need to scroll out an entire page

2a. In the event of a disconnection, the party will be given 5 minutes to return to complete the game and no more than 2 disconnections per game will be allowed. On the third time, the game will be a forfeit.

2b. In the event that a program can not continue a game due to interface or program issues, it will forfeit the game. Under no circumstances will a new game be formed or the game restarted.

2c. If a program is not open for matches or arrives late for a scheduled round, the game will be played under time odds. The amount of time that their opponent has waited to being will be deducted from the clock at the game start.

3. Each participant (engine) must an original work. No entry can contain code from another program, or be a "clone" of another program. This includes any "personality" settings of an originating program.

Any engine that is found to be "clone" of another program or close to it (e.g. engine output, pondering information, analysis of positions) will be declared void by the Tournament Director after seeking advice from notable sources.

The Tournament Director can ask for the compiled executable and corresponding source to the participating version of an engine to let it be examined by the previous mentioned notable sources. If the author of the engine that is suspect were to refuse to confirm the originality of his own work, the engine and the author will be disqualified from the CCT, and will no longer be able to participate in future events.

Only the original author or an approved operator of the original author may enter.**

4. Participants can use any hardware they can bring. Participants choosing to use remotely located hardware are recommended to have a suitable back up solution in the event there is an uncorrectable malfunction.

5. In the event that there is a late withdrawal or uneven amounts of players, the TD can substitute a program in place of the departing entrant to keep the numbered entries the same. And to avoid a bye round.

6. Seeding will be calculated on results from previous official tournaments. WCCC/Leiden/IPCCC/CCT.

7. Any account that enters into the CCT will be given a 1 month account. If the author is operating the program for the entire tournament the account will be granted "free" status.

8. There will be a nominal entry fee imposed. This will be to cover the costs of hiring a GM/IM to commentate on the games, and hiring Chess.fm to broadcast the event. Many participants and spectators from CCT9 felt that the event lacked "something" without the commentators.

9. If a team has donated hardware for the event, promotional advertising in the form of a link to the sponsoring vendor will be provided. This will be placed under the hardware section of the "hardware" information. Promotional links will also be provided to other sponsors of the event if needed. All sponsors may also provide a short business profile and banner/button to be listed under the "Sponsors" page.

** $15US if the original author is operating their program. $25US if an approved operator is competing. $5 per entry for the blitz event.

This is to encourage the original program author to participate. Last event most IM's that I asked to commentate wanted to be paid anywhere between $400US - $550US. GM's wanted about 30% more, and Chess.fm had fees as well.

Possible dates for the event are:

January 19-20, 2008
January 26-27, 2008
February 9-10, 2008
February 23-24, 2008

Peter Skinner
CCT Tournament Director
http://www.cctchess.info

[jdart]

I may have a conflict Feb 23 but the others are ok.

--Jon

[Harvey Williamson]

** $15US if the original author is operating their program. $25US if an approved operator is competing. $5 per entry for the blitz event.

Hi Peter,

I am not sure a separate fee for the blitz is a good idea - it might mean people don't hang on afterwards to play in it.

Also I think you should recognise the difference between an operator and a member of the programmers core team operating the program.

I am very happy to pay a fee for Hiarcs to enter next year. A GM commentary on Chess FM sounds like fun.

Best Wishes,

Harvey

[CRoberson]

If like the January dates, preferably Jan 26 & 27.

I am not fond of an entry fee but I understand the financials.
Its a 12 hour tournament and at $40/hour that is $480.
I've been looking into the same stuff for the next ACCA tournament.
One thought I am considering is no commentator for the first 2 rounds.

I rather liked the chessfm broadcast a few years ago -- interviews
with Bob and Anthony.

This is sort of an interesting evolution. Big sporting events, today,
the players are paid and the sponsors cover the tab for commentators
and spectators pay. I suppose we have a long way to go for that.

I tried to register just now, but no registration yet.

[Peter Skinner]

Hi Peter,

I am not sure a separate fee for the blitz is a good idea - it might mean people don't hang on afterwards to play in it.

It was just am idea. I will remove it as I see your point.

Also I think you should recognise the difference between an operator and a member of the programmers core team operating the program.

Good idea. I will make a rule relating to that.

I am very happy to pay a fee for Hiarcs to enter next year. A GM commentary on Chess FM sounds like fun.

Best Wishes,

Harvey

The fees are simply to cover the costs of the GM and Chess.fm. I think it is a cheap and affordable way to get the extras that everyone wants.

I am sure there will be some that simply can not pay the fee due to financial hardship, and that is understandable with where some of our entrants reside. Some of us are lucky to live where we do and $20 isn't a weeks worth of food for their family.

In those cases, things can be worked out, or a sponsor might kick up some money to support those who can't pay. Who knows.

Peter

[Peter Skinner]

I tried to register just now, but no registration yet.

Registration will be up once a date is confirmed and other details are worked out.

Hopefully by the end of this week.

Peter

[jdart]

Last time we discussed an entry fee it was an impediment to some. I will volunteer to sponsor up to 3 entrants who could not otherwise participate due to the entry fee.

--Jon

[Harvey Williamson]

Last time we discussed an entry fee it was an impediment to some. I will volunteer to sponsor up to 3 entrants who could not otherwise participate due to the entry fee.

--Jon

Hi Jon,

Great Offer!!!

Harvey

[Peter Skinner]

Last time we discussed an entry fee it was an impediment to some. I will volunteer to sponsor up to 3 entrants who could not otherwise participate due to the entry fee.

--Jon

That is extremely generous of you.

There will be some that simply can not afford it. And you are correct in that some would not / could not enter due to it when we discussed it previously.

Thank you for your offer.

Peter

[Peter Skinner]

I tried to register just now, but no registration yet.

A few people have emailed about registration so far, so I just put up the page to do so.

Peter