Rules


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1. The match is being held under the auspices of ICCA.

2. Number of games and schedule of play

2.1 The Match consists of six games, all of which will be played. A win scores 1 point, a draw scores 0.5 points and a loss scores 0 points. The player who accumulates the most points at the end of the Match shall be declared the winner. The Match will be declared drawn if both players score 3 points.

2.2. All games will commence at 300 p.m., local Philadelphia time.

2.3.
Game 1 will be played on February 10th, 1996,
Game 2 will be played on February 11th, 1996,
Game 3 will be played on February 13th, 1996,
Game 4 will be played on February 14th, 1996,
Game 5 will be played on February 16th, 1996,
Game 6 will be played on February 17th, 1996.

2.4. Neither player can ask for a postponement of any game. If one player does not play any of the above games, then that player forfeits that game.

3. Rate of play and the chess clock

3.1. The rate of play shall be 40 moves/player in the first two hours of that player's time, then 20 moves/player in the next one hour of that player's time, then all the remaining moves in an additional 30 minutes per player. Time not consumed during one period is carried forward to the next.

3.2. Kasparov has the right of choice of the chess clock to be used during the match, but in the event of there being a faulty clock and if a replacement of the same type of clock is unavailable, then ICCA has the right to substitute a chess clock of a different type.

4. Award ceremony and prizes

The prize fund will be US $500,000 which will be split 80% to the winner and 20% to the loser. If the score of the match is 3-3, the prize money will be shared equally between Kasparov and DEEP BLUE.

5. Logistics and rules of play

5.1. DEEP BLUE shall be operated by an operator provided for this purpose by IBM.

5.2. When he chooses, the operator shall sit at the chess table facing Kasparov. Although the operator is free to leave the table or move about in a non-distracting manner when it is DEEP BLUE's turn to move, when it is Kasparov's turn to move, the operator, if he chooses to sit at the chess table, may not leave the table or move in a distracting manner until it becomes DEEP BLUE's turn to move.

5.3. Provided that it is not Kasparov's turn to move, the operator may be replaced at any time or times during the game at IBM's sole discretion.

5.4. In the event of a technical fault or problem relating in any way to DEEP BLUE the operator may, provided that it is not Kasparov's turn to move, communicate with any person he chooses in such a manner as to avoid any distraction which may reasonably be regarded as disturbing to Kasparov.

5.5. When it is the program's turn to move, DEEP BLUE's chess clock must remain running at all times even though there may be a technical fault (excluding power failure, discussed below) which prevents DEEP BLUE's move from being made in the normal way.

5.6. When Kasparov has made his move, the operator may communicate this move to DEEP BLUE via equipment provided for this purpose, such equipment to operate in a manner which can not reasonably be regarded as disturbing to Kasparov.

5.7. When DEEP BLUE has made its move and communicated its move to the operator, the operator shall make DEEP BLUE's move on the chess board and then press DEEP BLUE's side of the chess clock.

5.8. If the operator makes a mistake either in communicating Kasparov's move to DEEP BLUE or in making DEEP BLUE's move on the chess board, when this mistake is discovered the position immediately before the mistake is set upon the chess board and the players' clock times are adjusted. If it is possible for the arbiter to determine the times that should be showing on the players' clocks then he shall adjust the clocks accordingly, but if this is not possible then each player shall be allotted a time proportional to that indicated by his clock when the error was discovered such that the proportion is the same as the ratio of the number of moves made by that player up to the time the error was made divided by the number of moves made by that player up to the time the error was discovered.

5.9. Kasparov and the operator shall both keep a written record of the moves of the game at least up to move 60, after which it is optional for each of them to do as he wishes. DEEP BLUE's operator will provide the arbiter a computer printout of the game within one hour of the completion of each game.

5.10. When DEEP BLUE is on the move, the operator may tell DEEP BLUE the time remaining on either or both sides of the chess clock provided that the computer initiates the request for such information.

5.11. If, during play, DEEP BLUE is unable to perform in the expected manner, for example being unable to accept a legal move, then the operator may set up in the computer the current board position and status along with the clock times of both players and any other information required by the program, but all such work is permitted only while it is not Kasparov's turn to move.

5.12. At any time during play IBM may replace any or all of the computer hardware and/or software being used to play the games provided that any such work carried out in the playing hall is carried out only when it is not Kasparov's turn to move.

5.13. The operator may offer a draw, accept a draw or resign on behalf of DEEP BLUE. This may be done with or without consulting DEEP BLUE.

5.14. During the opening ceremony, Kasparov will draw lots to determine his color in the first game of the match and thereafter the colors will alternate.

5.15. In all matters concerning the laws of chess and their interpretation, including those matters referred to in clauses 1.5.1 to 1.5.14 inclusive, the decision of the arbiter shall be final.

6. The arbiter

The arbiter is Mike Valvo. If he is unwell or unable to officiate for any reason then the ICCA may at its sole discretion appoint a replacement arbiter but shall, if practical, consult with the players or their representatives over the choice of replacement arbiter.

7. The official rules

The rules presented here are a condensation of the official rules in the contract drawn between Kasparov and IBM and only are meant to be a guide for the audience.

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