From: sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com (Steven J. Edwards)
Newsgroups: rec.games.chess
Subject: New computer rules from FIDE
Date: 28 Jul 92 19:13:28 GMT
Reply-To: sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com
Distribution: rec
Organization: Bull HN, Worldwide Information Systems, Billerica, Mass., USA

I've just received my copy of the 1992.06 _ICCA Journal_ (v.15/n.2)
and I note a brief article at the bottom of page 102.  Entitled "STOP
PRESS: New FIDE Ruling", it reports on some results of the 1992.06
FIDE Congress in Manila that deal with computer participation in
tournaments.  

[I assume that only FIDE supervised or FIDE rated events are subject
to the following rulings.]

The four points are:

1) Computers may only play in tournaments if the computer manufacturer
has paid a standard registration fee to FIDE.

[I assume this applies similarly to software-only companies.  I am not
sure how this affects non-commercial researchers; are they prohibited?
Do they have a separate fee schedule?  What happens to the money?]

2) If the tournament organizer allows the participation of a computer
which does not conform to point 1 above then the tournament will not
be recognized (and rated) by FIDE.

[Obviously, FIDE wanst to collect some money in exchange for their
"official" recognition.  As this materially benefits only commercial
efforts, it seems that non-commercial researchers should be exempt
from excessive fees.  I agree that a researcher should pay the same
regular fee as a regular player as he/she "uses" the same rating
services.  In the same vein, since a human player need not pay extra
for a FIDE rating, then a similarly non-commercial program shouldn't
have to pay either.]

3) Computers will have a separate FIDE rating list and will be counted
for rating purposes.

[Will the computer list really be separate?  Won't it have to use the
same normed Elo system for compatibility for the human rating
subsystem?  The big question: how about IM and GM norms and titles?]

4) Humans participating in tournaments with computers will not be
allowed to refuse to play against the computers.

[Even though I am a program author, I think the above goes too far; I
think that players should be allowed to state a preference.  Those who
would rather not play against a program should be paired against a
program only as a last resort.  There are some real questions as to
how this will effect USCF tournaments.  Does this mean that all USCF
tournaments that are at least potentially FIDE rated events must now
be "Computers allowed"?  Are FIDE regulations superior to USCF
regulations?  Did the USCF have any input on this?  (Other than paying
dues for FIDE support, that is.)  Hell must be metaphysical, as surely
no physical locale could be large enough to accomodate all the rules
lawyers being produced these days.]

See you in Limbo.

 [The above opinions expressed are my own; not necessarily held by others.]
      == Steven J. Edwards           Bull HN Information Systems Inc. ==
      == (508) 294-3484              300 Concord Road         MS 820A ==
      == sje@xylos.ma30.bull.com     Billerica, MA 01821          USA ==
"That Government which Governs the Least, Governs Best." -- Thomas Jefferson