Computer Chess Tournaments

Abstract

During the course of the preceding pages I have often referred to events in which the only participants were computer programs. At the time of writing seven such events have been held: Five ACM tournaments, one tournament in Canada in 1974 and one World Championship tournament (also in 1974). The ACM tournaments show every sign of increasing in popularity, with more and more programming groups expressing an interest every year. Although the number of programs that compete at these tournaments is usually limited to twelve, there are often as many as twenty that apply to take part. When selection is necessary programs are chosen or rejected largely on the basis of sample games that are sent in by the programmers.

‘In tournaments it is not enough to be a connoisseur of chess. One must also play well.’ Siegbert Tarrasch