Re: Transactions: good or bad?
From: Larry Coon <lmcoon_at_nospam_cox.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 21:54:49 -0700
Message-ID: <3EF3E519.304A_at_nospam_cox.net>
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 21:54:49 -0700
Message-ID: <3EF3E519.304A_at_nospam_cox.net>
Bob Badour wrote:
> Where is your proof that all chess games halt?
For this I have a comment. For the rest of this argument, I'm staying the hell away.
The rules of chess allow the side to move to CLAIM a draw if either of the following occur:
- The same position occcurs for the THIRD time (I saw a mistaken claim that a single repetition caused a draw).
- Fifty moves occur without either a pawn being moved or a piece taken.
With these rules taken literally, a chess game can be infinite. Each side can play the same two moves repeatedly, and if neither claims a draw, the game doesn't halt. E.g.:
- Nf3 Nc6
- Ng1 Nb8
- Nf3 Nc6
etc..
If the rules were changed to remove the option -- i.e., change the "may claim" to "shall claim," then a chess game becomes finite, and always halts.
Larry Coon
University of California
larry_at_assist.org
and lmcoon_at_home.com
Received on Sat Jun 21 2003 - 06:54:49 CEST