[UCC::ProgComp] [ucc-announce] UCC::ProgComp 2012

[matches at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au]

Hi Peter,

To answer your questions:

Quoting Peter N Lewis <peter at stairways.com.au>:
> * Why is an AI allowed to not place some pieces initially?  I've  
> never seen any rule that says you can do anything other than place  
> all 40 pieces.  Shouldn't it simply be a failure of the AI?

I haven't enforced placement of all 40 pieces because I felt it gave  
people a bit more flexibility, even though the most sensible strategy  
would seem to be placing all pieces.

However, while answering this, I have changed my mind, for several  
reasons too long to list here. If no one objects, I will make the  
manager program enforce placement of all 40 pieces.

> * When a weaker piece attacks a stronger piece, and the weaker piece  
> is destroyed, does the stronger piece move?  I've never seen anyone  
> play this way, but the rules are unclear on this subject.

The defending piece will never move into its attacker's square.

To quote the rules page which I linked to:
"The piece with the lower rank (but higher number) is captured and  
removed from the board. If your piece (the attacking piece) is the  
remaining and winning piece, it moves into the space formerly occupied  
by the defending piece. If the remaining and winning piece is the  
defending piece, it stays on the square it was in when it was attacked."

I will update the website to be more clear about that rule in particular.

Thanks for the questions, and Good Luck!
Sam Moore
[SZM]
The person to blame for the progcomp