Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/5/84; site riccb.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!genrad!decvax!harpo!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!ihnp4!riccb!lance
From: lance@riccb.UUCP (Lance R. Ogasawara )
Newsgroups: net.chess
Subject: Re: Re: Why can't a machine be World's Checkers Champ?
Message-ID: <475@riccb.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 12-Aug-85 09:35:58 EDT
Article-I.D.: riccb.475
Posted: Mon Aug 12 09:35:58 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 15-Aug-85 21:22:51 EDT
References: <474@oakhill.UUCP> <10913@rochester.UUCP>
Organization: Rockwell Telecommunications, Downers Grove,Il.
Lines: 16

> I'm almost sure that a few years ago I read that man could no longer beat
> a checker program.  And the only way even the world champ could win a game
> was if the computer always moved second.  If the computer was aloud to move
> first then it could ALWAYS win.  I'm talking main frame well done checker
> programs here, not a radio shack toy.
> This may clear up why a machine cannot be World's Checker Champ.  It could neverbe dethroned and thus would eliminate the world championship as an event.  I
> think that checker programs for this reason may not be aloud to play tournament
> checkers.  The USCF has considered outlawing chess programs before they have
> a chance to be a world champ, but so far they are permited to enter most 
> tournaments.  Usually at the discretion of the tournament director.

YOUR MESSAGE

I'm not 100% certain, but I always thought that moving second was an
*advantage* in checkers because the first player tends to run out of
moves.