Announcement: TCEC SEASON 3 - All info.

[Martin Thoresen]

Hello everyone,

I want to thank all the people that followed the previous seasons.
Perhaps not a big surprise: the Elite Matches had the highest
interest of all events during those two seasons.

Therefore in season 3 a number of changes will be implemented. The
system will go from a division based one to a "last engine standing" type.
There will be 4 stages before the Elite Match. So now you can see
Houdini & all the other strong engines in action already in the first event
of a season.

The TCEC website has been redesigned to accommodate all changes.

Stage 1:
7 round swiss, 32 engines. Top 16 move on to stage 2.

Stage 2a & 2b:
8 engines in each playing a double round robin with switched colors.
The top 4 from 2a and 2b move on to stage 3.

Stage 3:
8 engines playing a double round robin with switched colors.
The top 4 move on to stage 4.

Stage 4:
4 engines playing a hexa round robin with switched colors.
The top 2 moves on.

Elite Match
The top 2 from stage 4 meet in a 48-game Elite Match.


The time control from season 2 has been kept (150' + 30"),
except that in the swiss (stage 1) it is reduced to 90' + 30".

Ratings have also been implemented, they will be automatically calculated
after each game. The base is CEGT 40/20 and CCRL 40/40 1 CPU lists.
Since many engines in TCEC use 6 cores their ratings should most likely
increase a bit over the long run. Ratings will be kept for all seasons,
and if an engine is updated to a new version the new version will inherit
the rating of the old version. This way you can follow your favorite eninge
in the TCEC system.

For all small and big changes I recommend reading the updated Info page
on my site: http://www.tcec-chess.org/info.php

There's also a brand new archive for season 2:
http://www.tcec-chess.org/archive_s2.php

Stage 1 will start Friday 29th of April at 19:00 CEST.

Best,
Martin

[BB+]

Therefore in season 3 a number of changes will be implemented.

I was always of the opinion that "promotion" and "relegation" were kinda dubious, given that the syetm might change.

[Martin Thoresen]

I was always of the opinion that "promotion" and "relegation" were kinda dubious, given that the syetm might change.

Well I never said that the system(s) used in season 1 & 2 were final in any way, I am still listening to feedback and what people want to see.
I think this new format is great. The weaker engines have a shot at upsetting the stronger ones and we will get to see the strong engines in action immediately when a season starts.

Right now I have a feeling that this new system will stay in place.

I hope you will follow season 3, BB.

Best,
Martin

[kingliveson]

Personally prefer the division-based...engines could move up/down -- makes it more fun.

[Uly]

I like the new system as it makes the tourney more interesting and less predictable, with a bit of luck we won't have a Rybka - Houdini Elite Match as the engines have to show they're best, instead of Insta-qualifying to a top division.

And engine that could have moved a division up before, now has a chance for the title without having to wait several seasons.