How to deal with "abusers" on ICC?

[mathmoi]

Hi,

I was wondering if there is any way to prevent someone from playing my engine repeatedly if he is clearly stronger? This morning I found my engine account had lost 300 points because someone (BK-Chess) with an engine decided to play about 120 games and winning them all against my engine. I know it's legit and that I will eventually get the points back, but I'd still like to prevent that If I can.

Is there anything I can do to prevent this. Maybe something I can put in the formula? I though of doing something like "rating < myrating + 200" But that would prevent some legit, stronger opponents to try me for a couples of games (That, I don't object to, but 120!).

[Mincho Georgiev]

This is very common thing, especially in FICS.
The way I deal with it is to carefully analyze the questionable games. If it appears that Rybka or whatever is used, I add that nick into my noplay list:

Code: Select all

+noplay THISNICK

Some guidelines:
It is very unlikely for person to have 1500-1700 blitz rating with RD 20-40, but the same person to have 2200-2300 at standart, unless he's using a program. It is very unlikely also for a human with 1600-2000 rating to play by a book until let's say move 20 without even tiny fraction of a second thinking, unless is automated. There are many other signs as well. Just keep them in mind!

Best!
Mincho.

[mathmoi]

Hi Mincho,

Well, in this case the offending account is a computer account (Using Firebird 1.1). My grief is that my engine is clearly no match for it and it still played 120 games. I can only think he's done that to improve it's rating, one point at a time.

I will +noplay it, but it would be nice if I could prevent this kind of behavior. I guess I'll have to limit the opponent rating to be within some margin of my engine's rating.

Thanks for your input,

[hgm]

You could use /zippyMaxGames=2 to prevent more than two games in a row against the same opponent. Then he would have to wait for someone else to play you.

[Mincho Georgiev]

You could use /zippyMaxGames=2 to prevent more than two games in a row against the same opponent. Then he would have to wait for someone else to play you.

Yes, that is a good solution.
You can also set your formula like this

Code: Select all

set f1 rating <= 2100
set f2 !abuser
//or any other variables here
//an then:

set formula f1 & f2