June 2001 Scores

by Richard Pavlicek

The “Diamonds Are Forever” defensive-play contest had 335 participants, and everyone scoring above average is listed here. Ties in the rankings are broken by the date and time of submission (earliest wins). At the end of this page is a “Bot’s Eye View,” which shows how various computer programs fared.

Top 100 101 Location Ranking Bot’s Eye View

Participation Stats
Number of participants 335
Number of locations 84
Highest score 60
Median score 40
Lowest score 21
Average score 40.46

Participation Stats
Number of participants	335
Number of locations	84
Highest score	60
Median score	40
Lowest score	21
Average score	40.46

Top 100 Places

Rank Score LC Name 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 60 IN Venkatesh Ramaratnam 8 A Q 10 4 5
2 60 CAon Gabriel Nita-Saguna 8 A Q 10 4 5
3 59 UKen Gareth Birdsall 8 A Q 10 K 5
4 59 USca Rob Stevens 8 A Q 10 K 5
5 59 USil Charles Blair 8 A Q 10 K 5
6 59 AU Bill Jacobs 8 A Q 10 K 5
7 59 CAon Mihail Neagu 8 A Q 10 K 5
8 59 UStx Sally Means 8 A Q 10 K 5
9 58 UStx Herbert Wilton 8 A 3 10 4 5
10 58 RU Alex Perlin 8 A Q 3 4 5
11 57 IN Neelotpal Sahai 8 A Q 3 K 5
12 57 HK Walter Lee 8 A 3 10 K 5
13 56 DE Rainer Herrmann 8 A Q 10 10 5
14 56 CAab Daniel Bertrand 8 2 Q 10 4 5
15 55 IN Shyam Sashital 8 2 Q 10 K 5
16 55 UKen John Reardon 8 2 Q 10 K 5
17 55 CAon Jonathan Steinberg 8 A Q 2 K 5
18 54 IN Arvind Srinivasan 8 A 9 10 K 5
19 54 USoh Mark Rishavy Q A Q 3 K 5
20 54 USma Jonathan Weinstein 8 A Q 3 10 5
21 54 IN Amar Venkatachalam 10 A Q 10 K A
22 54 USca Grant Peacock 8 2 3 10 4 5
23 53 USpa Michael Shuster 8 A Q 3 K 2
24 53 USnj Leonard Helfgott 10 A Q 2 K 5
25 52 BE Sebastien Louveaux 8 A Q 10 10 2
26 51 SE Dick Andersson 8 J 5 10 K 2
27 51 IN Kaizad Anklesaria 10 A 3 10 K 2
28 51 USwa N. Scott Cardell 8 A Q 2 K 2
29 51 CAab Nicolae Vartosu 10 2 Q 3 K 5
30 51 IN S.T. Arasu 8 5 Q 10 K 5
31 51 AU Bill Powell 8 A 3 3 Q 5
32 51 USil Nate Ward Q A Q 3 K 5
33 51 HR Zoran Bohacek 8 A 9 10 K A
34 51 USnj Ron Small 2 A Q 10 K 5
35 51 USpa Steve White 8 A Q 2 K 2
36 51 USfl Betty Parker 8 2 Q 10 K 2
37 51 NL Fred Verheul 8 A 9 2 4 5
38 50 USil James Hudson 8 A 9 2 K 5
39 50 JP Tong Xu 8 A Q 3 10 2
40 50 DE Ulrich Voigt 8 2 5 2 K 5
41 50 UK Andrew Willis 10 J 5 10 10 5
42 50 IN Rajeeva Parasar 8 A 9 10 K 2
43 50 USwa Josh Sinnett 8 J 5 3 K A
44 50 UKen Mark Lehto 8 A 5 2 K 2
45 50 GR Ioanna Polichronakou 8 A 9 2 K 5
46 49 USnj Arline Fulton 8 A 3 2 K 2
47 49 USwa Keller Wightman 8 A Q J K 2
48 49 HR Tonci Tomic 8 A 9 3 K A
49 49 MX Max Chauvet 8 A 9 3 4 2
50 49 USfl Burt Berger 10 J 5 2 K 5
51 49 USma Bob Boudreau 8 A 5 3 10 2
52 49 IN Gowniyan Vaideeshwar 8 3 3 10 10 5
53 49 CAon Mihai Valcu 10 A 5 2 4 2
54 48 USny Barry Rigal 10 3 Q 10 K 2
55 48 AU Arian Lasocki 8 A Q 2 10 2
56 48 USal Bob Simkins 10 A 5 2 K 2
57 48 USfl John Vega 10 J 3 2 K 5
58 48 UStx Brian Baresch 8 A 3 10 K 10
59 48 CAbc Connie Delisle Q A Q 2 K 2
60 48 RO Florin Constantin Q J 5 10 K 2
61 48 UKen James Mates 8 A Q 2 10 2
62 48 USca Tom McGuire 10 3 Q 10 K 2
63 47 FI Mikko Sarela 8 J 9 10 K 2
64 47 UKen Anthony Golding Q A Q 10 10 K
65 47 USca Jojo Sarkar 5 A 5 10 K 2
66 47 NO Magnus Skaar 8 J 9 10 K 2
67 47 USil Will Engel 2 A Q 2 K 5
68 47 AR Luis Argerich 5 A Q 3 K A
69 47 ZA Sid Ismail 8 3 Q 2 4 2
70 47 CAon Vince Oddy Q A 5 2 K 2
71 47 USfl Mabel Pavlicek 10 3 5 2 K 5
72 47 USca Phil Clayton 8 A Q 4 K A
73 47 HK Hongyan Chen 8 A Q 4 4 2
74 47 USpa Raymond Eby 8 J 9 10 K 2
75 46 EG Andrew de Sosa 2 A Q 3 10 5
76 46 SE Arne Jordestedt 8 2 9 10 K 2
77 46 NL Frans Buijsen 8 J 5 10 K 10
78 46 SE Roger Karlsson 8 A 9 2 K 2
79 46 UStx Jack Lacy 8 J 3 2 K 2
80 46 USwa John Givins 8 A A 10 K 2
81 46 CAon David Grainger 8 2 5 2 K 2
82 46 USma K. Scott Kimball 8 2 5 J 4 A
83 46 UKni Robin Burns 8 A 9 2 K 2
84 46 CL Constantino Sifaqui 8 A 9 2 K 2
85 46 BC Jabi Peralta 8 2 5 10 Q 2
86 46 RO Mircea Popescu 8 A A 10 K 2
87 46 AU Bernard Nightingale 8 2 9 10 K 2
88 46 ES Raimon Tatxe 8 3 9 10 K A
89 46 USca James Hopkin 8 A 9 2 K 2
90 46 AU Dinu Raducanu 8 2 9 10 K 2
91 46 AU Sartaj Hans 10 J Q 2 K 2
92 46 IT Giovanni Macchia 8 A 9 2 K 2
93 46 PT Manuel Paulo 8 J 3 3 K K
94 46 RS Branko Vlajnic 8 5 Q 3 4 2
95 46 RU Leonid Ulanovsky 8 A A 10 K 2
96 46 IN Jai Grama 8 A 9 2 K 2
97 45 UKen Gordon Rainsford 8 3 9 2 K 5
98 45 CAns Gerald Murphy 10 J 5 2 K 2
99 45 ZA Elwynne Geraghty 8 J 5 10 J 2
100 45 UKen Gabriel Ip Q A 10 10 K 2

Rank	Score	LC	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6
1	60	IN	Venkatesh Ramaratnam	8	A	Q	10	4	5
2	60	CAon	Gabriel Nita-Saguna	8	A	Q	10	4	5
3	59	UKen	Gareth Birdsall	8	A	Q	10	K	5
4	59	USca	Rob Stevens	8	A	Q	10	K	5
5	59	USil	Charles Blair	8	A	Q	10	K	5
6	59	AU	Bill Jacobs	8	A	Q	10	K	5
7	59	CAon	Mihail Neagu	8	A	Q	10	K	5
8	59	UStx	Sally Means	8	A	Q	10	K	5
9	58	UStx	Herbert Wilton	8	A	3	10	4	5
10	58	RU	Alex Perlin	8	A	Q	3	4	5
11	57	IN	Neelotpal Sahai	8	A	Q	3	K	5
12	57	HK	Walter Lee	8	A	3	10	K	5
13	56	DE	Rainer Herrmann	8	A	Q	10	10	5
14	56	CAab	Daniel Bertrand	8	2	Q	10	4	5
15	55	IN	Shyam Sashital	8	2	Q	10	K	5
16	55	UKen	John Reardon	8	2	Q	10	K	5
17	55	CAon	Jonathan Steinberg	8	A	Q	2	K	5
18	54	IN	Arvind Srinivasan	8	A	9	10	K	5
19	54	USoh	Mark Rishavy	Q	A	Q	3	K	5
20	54	USma	Jonathan Weinstein	8	A	Q	3	10	5
21	54	IN	Amar Venkatachalam	10	A	Q	10	K	A
22	54	USca	Grant Peacock	8	2	3	10	4	5
23	53	USpa	Michael Shuster	8	A	Q	3	K	2
24	53	USnj	Leonard Helfgott	10	A	Q	2	K	5
25	52	BE	Sebastien Louveaux	8	A	Q	10	10	2
26	51	SE	Dick Andersson	8	J	5	10	K	2
27	51	IN	Kaizad Anklesaria	10	A	3	10	K	2
28	51	USwa	N. Scott Cardell	8	A	Q	2	K	2
29	51	CAab	Nicolae Vartosu	10	2	Q	3	K	5
30	51	IN	S.T. Arasu	8	5	Q	10	K	5
31	51	AU	Bill Powell	8	A	3	3	Q	5
32	51	USil	Nate Ward	Q	A	Q	3	K	5
33	51	HR	Zoran Bohacek	8	A	9	10	K	A
34	51	USnj	Ron Small	2	A	Q	10	K	5
35	51	USpa	Steve White	8	A	Q	2	K	2
36	51	USfl	Betty Parker	8	2	Q	10	K	2
37	51	NL	Fred Verheul	8	A	9	2	4	5
38	50	USil	James Hudson	8	A	9	2	K	5
39	50	JP	Tong Xu	8	A	Q	3	10	2
40	50	DE	Ulrich Voigt	8	2	5	2	K	5
41	50	UK	Andrew Willis	10	J	5	10	10	5
42	50	IN	Rajeeva Parasar	8	A	9	10	K	2
43	50	USwa	Josh Sinnett	8	J	5	3	K	A
44	50	UKen	Mark Lehto	8	A	5	2	K	2
45	50	GR	Ioanna Polichronakou	8	A	9	2	K	5
46	49	USnj	Arline Fulton	8	A	3	2	K	2
47	49	USwa	Keller Wightman	8	A	Q	J	K	2
48	49	HR	Tonci Tomic	8	A	9	3	K	A
49	49	MX	Max Chauvet	8	A	9	3	4	2
50	49	USfl	Burt Berger	10	J	5	2	K	5
51	49	USma	Bob Boudreau	8	A	5	3	10	2
52	49	IN	Gowniyan Vaideeshwar	8	3	3	10	10	5
53	49	CAon	Mihai Valcu	10	A	5	2	4	2
54	48	USny	Barry Rigal	10	3	Q	10	K	2
55	48	AU	Arian Lasocki	8	A	Q	2	10	2
56	48	USal	Bob Simkins	10	A	5	2	K	2
57	48	USfl	John Vega	10	J	3	2	K	5
58	48	UStx	Brian Baresch	8	A	3	10	K	10
59	48	CAbc	Connie Delisle	Q	A	Q	2	K	2
60	48	RO	Florin Constantin	Q	J	5	10	K	2
61	48	UKen	James Mates	8	A	Q	2	10	2
62	48	USca	Tom McGuire	10	3	Q	10	K	2
63	47	FI	Mikko Sarela	8	J	9	10	K	2
64	47	UKen	Anthony Golding	Q	A	Q	10	10	K
65	47	USca	Jojo Sarkar	5	A	5	10	K	2
66	47	NO	Magnus Skaar	8	J	9	10	K	2
67	47	USil	Will Engel	2	A	Q	2	K	5
68	47	AR	Luis Argerich	5	A	Q	3	K	A
69	47	ZA	Sid Ismail	8	3	Q	2	4	2
70	47	CAon	Vince Oddy	Q	A	5	2	K	2
71	47	USfl	Mabel Pavlicek	10	3	5	2	K	5
72	47	USca	Phil Clayton	8	A	Q	4	K	A
73	47	HK	Hongyan Chen	8	A	Q	4	4	2
74	47	USpa	Raymond Eby	8	J	9	10	K	2
75	46	EG	Andrew de Sosa	2	A	Q	3	10	5
76	46	SE	Arne Jordestedt	8	2	9	10	K	2
77	46	NL	Frans Buijsen	8	J	5	10	K	10
78	46	SE	Roger Karlsson	8	A	9	2	K	2
79	46	UStx	Jack Lacy	8	J	3	2	K	2
80	46	USwa	John Givins	8	A	A	10	K	2
81	46	CAon	David Grainger	8	2	5	2	K	2
82	46	USma	K. Scott Kimball	8	2	5	J	4	A
83	46	UKni	Robin Burns	8	A	9	2	K	2
84	46	CL	Constantino Sifaqui	8	A	9	2	K	2
85	46	BC	Jabi Peralta	8	2	5	10	Q	2
86	46	RO	Mircea Popescu	8	A	A	10	K	2
87	46	AU	Bernard Nightingale	8	2	9	10	K	2
88	46	ES	Raimon Tatxe	8	3	9	10	K	A
89	46	USca	James Hopkin	8	A	9	2	K	2
90	46	AU	Dinu Raducanu	8	2	9	10	K	2
91	46	AU	Sartaj Hans	10	J	Q	2	K	2
92	46	IT	Giovanni Macchia	8	A	9	2	K	2
93	46	PT	Manuel Paulo	8	J	3	3	K	K
94	46	RS	Branko Vlajnic	8	5	Q	3	4	2
95	46	RU	Leonid Ulanovsky	8	A	A	10	K	2
96	46	IN	Jai Grama	8	A	9	2	K	2
97	45	UKen	Gordon Rainsford	8	3	9	2	K	5
98	45	CAns	Gerald Murphy	10	J	5	2	K	2
99	45	ZA	Elwynne Geraghty	8	J	5	10	J	2
100	45	UKen	Gabriel Ip	Q	A	10	10	K	2

Scores 7V39 Main Challenge Analyses Top June 2001 Scores

All Others Above Average

Rank Score LC Name 1 2 3 4 5 6
101 45 USok Linda Waggener 8 J 10 2 K 5
102 45 USca Ruthanne Williams 10 J 9 10 K 2
103 45 USmo Kit Nowicki 8 3 9 2 K 5
104 45 IT Alessandra La Spina 8 3 9 2 K 5
105 45 IN Sivakumar Salem 8 3 3 2 10 5
106 44 CAns Brian Hansen 10 A 9 2 K 2
107 44 HK Tommy Cho Q A 9 10 K 2
108 44 SI Tomaz Butina 10 A 9 2 K 2
109 44 USnc Michael Lavine 10 A 9 2 K 2
110 44 CAab Dick Yuen 8 5 Q 10 10 2
111 44 FI Erkki Malkamaki 10 2 5 2 K 2
112 44 USca Betsy Marcus 8 3 3 2 K 2
113 44 RS Marko Popovic 5 J 5 10 K 2
114 44 HK Sam Chan Q A 9 2 4 2
115 44 UStx Dana Neugebauer 8 A 10 10 K 3
116 44 CAon John Cunningham 10 3 5 10 10 2
117 44 UKen Andrew Morris 10 3 9 10 10 5
118 43 UKen Michael Clark Q A 9 10 Q 2
119 43 IN Arvind Ranasaria 2 2 5 10 4 2
120 43 RS Zoran Radojcic 8 J 9 2 K 2
121 43 USmn Brian Weikle Q 3 5 2 K 5
122 43 CAns Bryson Crowell Q A 9 2 K 2
123 43 UKen Michael Scanlon 8 A 9 2 10 2
124 43 USva Darwin Afdahl 8 5 9 2 4 5
125 43 IN Maha Sundar Q 2 A 10 K 5
126 43 USil Robert Shair 10 2 5 10 K 10
127 43 USca Jeff Goldsmith 8 A 9 2 10 2
128 43 USmd Mark Shaw Q 5 5 10 K 2
129 43 USny Jack Presser Q 3 9 2 4 5
130 43 IN P.S. Raghavan 8 5 9 2 4 5
131 43 TR Berk Basaran 10 A 9 3 10 2
132 43 US Ralph Kuhlman 8 J A 10 K 2
133 43 USnj Dirk Enthoven 10 3 9 10 K 2
134 43 TR Tayfun Ozbey 10 5 5 3 4 2
135 43 LV Martins Egle 10 J 9 10 K K
136 43 GR Tasos Koukouselis 8 5 5 2 K A
137 43 USco Chuck Reed 8 J 9 2 K 2
138 43 TW Ye-Fon Tsai Q A Q 3 Q 2
139 42 NO Ivar Roynstrand 10 A A 3 K 2
140 42 TW Zeno Lin 8 A A 2 K 2
141 42 AU Eric Hurley 8 A A 2 K 2
142 42 IN Godwin Jeyaseelan Q 2 Q 3 Q 2
143 42 CApq Gerald Leclerc 8 3 A 2 4 5
144 42 USca Tony Melucci 8 2 9 2 K 2
145 42 TR Hasan Gedik 8 3 5 2 10 2
146 42 USfl Alan Kravetz 8 5 9 2 K 5
147 42 TW Suyu Chiu Q A Q 2 10 2
148 42 USil Bruce Scott 8 3 9 2 4 2
149 42 TR Dogan Gokbel 8 J 5 J 4 3
150 42 SE Nils Backe 8 2 9 2 K 2
151 42 NO Espen Forberg 8 2 9 3 K K
152 42 USnj James Connell 2 A Q 3 3 5
153 41 IE Robert Knight 8 J 10 2 K 2
154 41 UKen Peter Kay 8 5 10 2 4 5
155 41 CN Weidong Yang 8 A Q 3 3 10
156 41 UKen Dean Rivers 5 J 3 10 K K
157 41 CAon Vinay Sarin 10 J 9 2 K 2
158 41 FR Jacques Normand 8 J 9 2 K K
159 41 USca Neill Currie 8 3 9 2 K 2
160 41 USca Martin Hertz 8 3 9 2 K 2
161 41 ES Santiago Masia 10 3 5 2 K K
162 41 USny Richard Baumer Q 5 5 3 K 2
163 41 TW Wen-Lung Huang Q A Q 2 Q 2
164 41 CApq Alain Gagnon 8 J A 10 K K
165 41 USny Nicholas France 2 3 5 10 K 2
166 41 IE Sean Connolly 8 2 3 2 K 3

Rank	Score	LC	Name	1	2	3	4	5	6
101	45	USok	Linda Waggener	8	J	10	2	K	5
102	45	USca	Ruthanne Williams	10	J	9	10	K	2
103	45	USmo	Kit Nowicki	8	3	9	2	K	5
104	45	IT	Alessandra La Spina	8	3	9	2	K	5
105	45	IN	Sivakumar Salem	8	3	3	2	10	5
106	44	CAns	Brian Hansen	10	A	9	2	K	2
107	44	HK	Tommy Cho	Q	A	9	10	K	2
108	44	SI	Tomaz Butina	10	A	9	2	K	2
109	44	USnc	Michael Lavine	10	A	9	2	K	2
110	44	CAab	Dick Yuen	8	5	Q	10	10	2
111	44	FI	Erkki Malkamaki	10	2	5	2	K	2
112	44	USca	Betsy Marcus	8	3	3	2	K	2
113	44	RS	Marko Popovic	5	J	5	10	K	2
114	44	HK	Sam Chan	Q	A	9	2	4	2
115	44	UStx	Dana Neugebauer	8	A	10	10	K	3
116	44	CAon	John Cunningham	10	3	5	10	10	2
117	44	UKen	Andrew Morris	10	3	9	10	10	5
118	43	UKen	Michael Clark	Q	A	9	10	Q	2
119	43	IN	Arvind Ranasaria	2	2	5	10	4	2
120	43	RS	Zoran Radojcic	8	J	9	2	K	2
121	43	USmn	Brian Weikle	Q	3	5	2	K	5
122	43	CAns	Bryson Crowell	Q	A	9	2	K	2
123	43	UKen	Michael Scanlon	8	A	9	2	10	2
124	43	USva	Darwin Afdahl	8	5	9	2	4	5
125	43	IN	Maha Sundar	Q	2	A	10	K	5
126	43	USil	Robert Shair	10	2	5	10	K	10
127	43	USca	Jeff Goldsmith	8	A	9	2	10	2
128	43	USmd	Mark Shaw	Q	5	5	10	K	2
129	43	USny	Jack Presser	Q	3	9	2	4	5
130	43	IN	P.S. Raghavan	8	5	9	2	4	5
131	43	TR	Berk Basaran	10	A	9	3	10	2
132	43	US	Ralph Kuhlman	8	J	A	10	K	2
133	43	USnj	Dirk Enthoven	10	3	9	10	K	2
134	43	TR	Tayfun Ozbey	10	5	5	3	4	2
135	43	LV	Martins Egle	10	J	9	10	K	K
136	43	GR	Tasos Koukouselis	8	5	5	2	K	A
137	43	USco	Chuck Reed	8	J	9	2	K	2
138	43	TW	Ye-Fon Tsai	Q	A	Q	3	Q	2
139	42	NO	Ivar Roynstrand	10	A	A	3	K	2
140	42	TW	Zeno Lin	8	A	A	2	K	2
141	42	AU	Eric Hurley	8	A	A	2	K	2
142	42	IN	Godwin Jeyaseelan	Q	2	Q	3	Q	2
143	42	CApq	Gerald Leclerc	8	3	A	2	4	5
144	42	USca	Tony Melucci	8	2	9	2	K	2
145	42	TR	Hasan Gedik	8	3	5	2	10	2
146	42	USfl	Alan Kravetz	8	5	9	2	K	5
147	42	TW	Suyu Chiu	Q	A	Q	2	10	2
148	42	USil	Bruce Scott	8	3	9	2	4	2
149	42	TR	Dogan Gokbel	8	J	5	J	4	3
150	42	SE	Nils Backe	8	2	9	2	K	2
151	42	NO	Espen Forberg	8	2	9	3	K	K
152	42	USnj	James Connell	2	A	Q	3	3	5
153	41	IE	Robert Knight	8	J	10	2	K	2
154	41	UKen	Peter Kay	8	5	10	2	4	5
155	41	CN	Weidong Yang	8	A	Q	3	3	10
156	41	UKen	Dean Rivers	5	J	3	10	K	K
157	41	CAon	Vinay Sarin	10	J	9	2	K	2
158	41	FR	Jacques Normand	8	J	9	2	K	K
159	41	USca	Neill Currie	8	3	9	2	K	2
160	41	USca	Martin Hertz	8	3	9	2	K	2
161	41	ES	Santiago Masia	10	3	5	2	K	K
162	41	USny	Richard Baumer	Q	5	5	3	K	2
163	41	TW	Wen-Lung Huang	Q	A	Q	2	Q	2
164	41	CApq	Alain Gagnon	8	J	A	10	K	K
165	41	USny	Nicholas France	2	3	5	10	K	2
166	41	IE	Sean Connolly	8	2	3	2	K	3

Names with accented or non-English letters have been converted to an English representation with a 26-letter alphabet. Many people use erratic capitalization, so I determine proper case by algorithm; if this does not correctly display your name, please advise and I will add it to the exception list. If you wish to contact someone whose name you see listed (such as a lost friend) give me permission to send your address to that person, then he or she can contact you. I will not give out e-mail addresses (these are private and go nowhere from me).

Scores 7V39 Main Challenge Analyses Top June 2001 Scores

Location Ranking

This table lists all the participating locations, ranked by the average score of their entries. The “Best” column shows the best finish (by rank) of any player in that location. Locations with less than five entries are ineligible for the top ranking and grouped separately.

Rank Average Best LC Location Entries
1 47.00 28 USwa Washington 5
2 45.86 8 UStx Texas 7
3 45.00 20 USma Massachusetts 5
4 44.80 12 HK Hong Kong 5
5 44.40 13 DE Germany 5
6 43.80 14 CAab Alberta 5
7 43.63 1 IN India 24
8 43.36 2 CAon Ontario 14
9 43.14 24 USnj New Jersey 7
10 42.89 3 UKen England 18
11 42.50 5 USil Illinois 10
12 42.00 37 NL Netherlands 5
13 41.41 4 USca California 22
14 40.31 6 AU Australia 13
15 39.33 26 SE Sweden 9
16 38.80 98 CAns Nova Scotia 5
17 38.60 92 IT Italy 5
18 38.43 138 TW Taiwan 7
19 38.14 60 RO Romania 7
20 37.55 54 USny New York 11
21 37.22 36 USfl Florida 18
22 37.00 143 CApq Quebec 5
23 33.50 59 CAbc British Columbia 6

Rank	Average	Best	LC	Location	Entries
1	47.00	28	USwa	Washington	5
2	45.86	8	UStx	Texas	7
3	45.00	20	USma	Massachusetts	5
4	44.80	12	HK	Hong Kong	5
5	44.40	13	DE	Germany	5
6	43.80	14	CAab	Alberta	5
7	43.63	1	IN	India	24
8	43.36	2	CAon	Ontario	14
9	43.14	24	USnj	New Jersey	7
10	42.89	3	UKen	England	18
11	42.50	5	USil	Illinois	10
12	42.00	37	NL	Netherlands	5
13	41.41	4	USca	California	22
14	40.31	6	AU	Australia	13
15	39.33	26	SE	Sweden	9
16	38.80	98	CAns	Nova Scotia	5
17	38.60	92	IT	Italy	5
18	38.43	138	TW	Taiwan	7
19	38.14	60	RO	Romania	7
20	37.55	54	USny	New York	11
21	37.22	36	USfl	Florida	18
22	37.00	143	CApq	Quebec	5
23	33.50	59	CAbc	British Columbia	6

Rank Average Best LC Location Entries
24 52.00 10 RU Russia 2
25 50.00 33 HR Croatia 2
26 49.00 49 MX Mexico 1
27 48.00 56 USal Alabama 1
28 47.00 23 USpa Pennsylvania 4
29 46.00 75 EG Egypt 1
30 46.00 83 UKni Northern Ireland 1
31 46.00 84 CL Chile 1
32 46.00 85 BC Basque Country 1
33 46.00 93 PT Portugal 1
34 45.50 25 BE Belgium 2
35 45.50 63 FI Finland 2
36 45.00 101 USok Oklahoma 1
37 44.33 94 RS Serbia 3
38 43.00 45 GR Greece 3
39 43.00 121 USmn Minnesota 1
40 43.00 135 LV Latvia 1
41 43.00 137 USco Colorado 1
42 42.50 131 TR Turkey 4
43 42.00 66 NO Norway 4
44 41.67 88 ES Spain 3
45 41.25 19 USoh Ohio 4
46 41.00 69 ZA South Africa 3
47 41.00 153 IE Ireland 2
48 41.00 158 FR France 1
49 40.50 103 USmo Missouri 2
50 40.33 68 AR Argentina 3
51 40.00 168 USne Nebraska 1
52 40.00 170 EE Estonia 1
53 40.00 175 USnv Nevada 1
54 39.00 181 USwi Wisconsin 1
55 39.00 183 USde Delaware 1
56 39.00 185 USaz Arizona 1
57 38.75 108 SI Slovenia 4
58 38.50 194 ID Indonesia 2
59 38.00 39 JP Japan 2
60 38.00 196 HU Hungary 1
61 38.00 209 CM Cameroon 1
62 37.50 155 CN China 2
63 37.50 207 SG Singapore 2
64 37.00 41 UK United Kingdom 3
65 36.50 174 IL Israel 2
66 36.33 128 USmd Maryland 3
67 35.00 215 CH Switzerland 2
68 35.00 243 USmi Michigan 1
69 34.00 124 USva Virginia 4
70 34.00 132 US United States 3
71 34.00 254 PL Poland 1
72 34.00 256 USga Georgia 1
73 34.00 266 USia Iowa 1
74 33.50 178 USin Indiana 2
75 33.50 195 USsc South Carolina 2
76 33.00 278 BG Bulgaria 1
77 32.50 234 BR Brazil 2
78 32.00 212 CA Canada 2
79 31.00 109 USnc North Carolina 4
80 31.00 247 UKsc Scotland 3
81 30.00 299 NZ New Zealand 1
82 26.00 318 USct Connecticut 2
83 26.00 328 USar Arkansas 1
84 21.00 335 USla Louisiana 1

Rank	Average	Best	LC	Location	Entries
24	52.00	10	RU	Russia	2
25	50.00	33	HR	Croatia	2
26	49.00	49	MX	Mexico	1
27	48.00	56	USal	Alabama	1
28	47.00	23	USpa	Pennsylvania	4
29	46.00	75	EG	Egypt	1
30	46.00	83	UKni	Northern Ireland	1
31	46.00	84	CL	Chile	1
32	46.00	85	BC	Basque Country	1
33	46.00	93	PT	Portugal	1
34	45.50	25	BE	Belgium	2
35	45.50	63	FI	Finland	2
36	45.00	101	USok	Oklahoma	1
37	44.33	94	RS	Serbia	3
38	43.00	45	GR	Greece	3
39	43.00	121	USmn	Minnesota	1
40	43.00	135	LV	Latvia	1
41	43.00	137	USco	Colorado	1
42	42.50	131	TR	Turkey	4
43	42.00	66	NO	Norway	4
44	41.67	88	ES	Spain	3
45	41.25	19	USoh	Ohio	4
46	41.00	69	ZA	South Africa	3
47	41.00	153	IE	Ireland	2
48	41.00	158	FR	France	1
49	40.50	103	USmo	Missouri	2
50	40.33	68	AR	Argentina	3
51	40.00	168	USne	Nebraska	1
52	40.00	170	EE	Estonia	1
53	40.00	175	USnv	Nevada	1
54	39.00	181	USwi	Wisconsin	1
55	39.00	183	USde	Delaware	1
56	39.00	185	USaz	Arizona	1
57	38.75	108	SI	Slovenia	4
58	38.50	194	ID	Indonesia	2
59	38.00	39	JP	Japan	2
60	38.00	196	HU	Hungary	1
61	38.00	209	CM	Cameroon	1
62	37.50	155	CN	China	2
63	37.50	207	SG	Singapore	2
64	37.00	41	UK	United Kingdom	3
65	36.50	174	IL	Israel	2
66	36.33	128	USmd	Maryland	3
67	35.00	215	CH	Switzerland	2
68	35.00	243	USmi	Michigan	1
69	34.00	124	USva	Virginia	4
70	34.00	132	US	United States	3
71	34.00	254	PL	Poland	1
72	34.00	256	USga	Georgia	1
73	34.00	266	USia	Iowa	1
74	33.50	178	USin	Indiana	2
75	33.50	195	USsc	South Carolina	2
76	33.00	278	BG	Bulgaria	1
77	32.50	234	BR	Brazil	2
78	32.00	212	CA	Canada	2
79	31.00	109	USnc	North Carolina	4
80	31.00	247	UKsc	Scotland	3
81	30.00	299	NZ	New Zealand	1
82	26.00	318	USct	Connecticut	2
83	26.00	328	USar	Arkansas	1
84	21.00	335	USla	Louisiana	1

Scores 7V39 Main Challenge Analyses Top June 2001 Scores

Bot’s Eye View

I posed these defensive-play problems to some of the well-known bridge computer programs, and the results are tabulated below. (These results are not included in the “number of participants” shown above, nor in the calculation of the median or average score.) Most of the programs had different skill settings (thinking time), and this was set to the highest level. The scores and rankings, based on six specific problems, are not necessarily indicative of each program’s overall capability.

Congratulations to GIB, the only bot to approach average on this tough set of problems. GIB also topped all the bots in my February defensive-play contest, which suggests it may be the best card-playing program. Hmm. Since Bridge Baron performed best in my bidding polls, perhaps a little gene splicing would evolve “GIB Baron.” Is Zia worried? Somehow, I don’t think so.

On Problem 3 (defending the 6 slam) it was depressing that all the bots tried to cash the A, apparently giving no consideration to South’s bidding or partner’s play. I even tried offering different signals from partner to no avail; the bots would always give away the contract by establishing dummy’s Q. I suppose this should be a lesson: Never try a bluff cue-bid against a bot ‘cuz it ain’t gonna work.

On Problem 4, after winning the A from A-10-4-2, several programs (GIB, Micro Bridge and Bridge Buff) made a curious choice to return the four. On consideration, I decided to equate this with the 2, since it doesn’t achieve the deception of the 10. If you next play the 2, declarer will know the lead could not be from five cards. If you next play the 10, declarer can deduce that something fishy is going on, and you certainly don’t want to attract attention. It’s like robbing a bank and driving away in a car — a smart thief sticks to the speed limit and blends with the traffic.

June 2001 Rankings
Rank Score LC Program version 1 2 3 4 5 6
1 40 US GIB 4.1.2 8 A A 2 K K
2 36 JP Micro Bridge 9.01 8 2 A 2 K K
3 32 CA Bridge Buff 8.0 5 J A 2 K 2
4 32 DE Q-plus Bridge 6.1 5 2 A 2 K A
5 30 US Bridge Baron 11.0 5 J A 2 K K
6 29 US Finesse Bridge 2.5 5 2 A 2 K K
7 11 US HAL 9000 2 5 A 4 J 3

June 2001 Rankings
Rank	Score	LC	Program version	1	2	3	4	5	6
1	40	US	GIB 4.1.2	8	A	A	2	K	K
2	36	JP	Micro Bridge 9.01	8	2	A	2	K	K
3	32	CA	Bridge Buff 8.0	5	J	A	2	K	2
4	32	DE	Q-plus Bridge 6.1	5	2	A	2	K	A
5	30	US	Bridge Baron 11.0	5	J	A	2	K	K
6	29	US	Finesse Bridge 2.5	5	2	A	2	K	K
7	11	US	HAL 9000	2	5	A	4	J	3

Bots Tested (alphabetical)
Program Author/Creator
Blue Chip Bridge Ian Trackman and Mike Whittaker
Bridge Baron Tom Throop and Stephen Smith
Bridge Buff Doug Bennion
Finesse Bridge Mark and Aaron Marin
GIB Matthew Ginsberg
HAL Someone with a warped mind
Micro Bridge Tomio and Yumiko Uchida
Q-plus Bridge Hans Leber

Bots Tested (alphabetical)
Program	Author/Creator
Blue Chip Bridge	Ian Trackman and Mike Whittaker
Bridge Baron	Tom Throop and Stephen Smith
Bridge Buff	Doug Bennion
Finesse Bridge	Mark and Aaron Marin
GIB	Matthew Ginsberg
HAL	Someone with a warped mind
Micro Bridge	Tomio and Yumiko Uchida
Q-plus Bridge	Hans Leber

Scores 7V39 Main Challenge Analyses Top June 2001 Scores