From: John.Tromp
Subject: Re: When Shodan?
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 15:23:16 +0200 (MET DST)

I wonder if people would still make such optimistic estimates if they
had to back it up with, say, a $1000 bet.
I (dutch 1kyu) would happily bet that I won't be beaten in a
10 game match before the year 2011.
I hope to be a dutch shodan by that time, but don't expect to get much
stronger...

any takers:-?

regards,

%!PS                       %  -John Tromp (http://www.cwi.nl/~tromp/)
=======================================
From: (Darren Cook)
Subject: Re: When Shodan?
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 11:37:52 +0900

>I wonder if people would still make such optimistic estimates if they
>had to back it up with, say, a $1000 bet.

When you consider the amount of time programmers are putting into their
programs, $1000 is quite small, assuming you put a reasonable value on your
time. In other words the programmers are betting much more than that already.

>I (dutch 1kyu) would happily bet that I won't be beaten in a
>10 game match before the year 2011.
>I hope to be a dutch shodan by that time, but don't expect to get much
>stronger...
>any takers:-?

Yes, assuming these conditions:

1.It can be anyones program - it does not have to be mine :-).
2.It need not be the commercially available version (to prevent you learning
weaknesses).
3.I can choose the year to play and don't have to wait until 2011.

Darren
==========================================
From: John.Tromp
Subject: Re: When Shodan?
Date: Wed, 3 Sep 1997 11:14:48 +0200 (MET DST)

>Yes, assuming these conditions:
>
>1.It can be anyones program - it does not have to be mine :-).
>2.It need not be the commercially available version (to prevent you learning
>weaknesses).
>3.I can choose the year to play and don't have to wait until 2011.

these are all natural conditions; if you wait till 2011 you lost in fact:)

can we have someone draw up a formal "contract" for this bet specifying
all necessary detail and have us put the money in some sort of fund now?
(then the bet will actually be for $1000 + whatever interest it gained).
we should be able to up the stakes at any time by mutual agreement.

in particular the match conditions need spelling out; it will best be done
as a side event to some go tournament. any travel expenses we don't manage
to cover ourselves (i will sure try), and within reasonable
limits, will be for the match loser.

you may run any program on any hardware you can bring to the playing site.
(i realize this will be a 64Gb, 4Ghz machine or some such:)

looking forward to some fun matches,

regards,
-john