Steady Average Timing

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    Keywords: Rules, Tournament

Definition

Steady Average Timing is the time system where

  • one gets an initial period of time,
  • time used for each move is deducted,
  • and an extra period of time is added after exactly N moves were made in a period.

Extra periods are of same size, the initial one may differ.
A move is in a period if it ends before the period ends but not before the period starts.

In other words,

  • one is required having made a minimum number of moves in each period.

Diagram

 |---|            time for N moves
 |------|         periods before
     |--|------|  periods after

Remarks

The difference to Canadian Timing is that resetting of time and stones happens when time runs out, not stones.

The drawback of Steady with a plain clock is a periodically falling flag. On the first look there seems to be no problem:

  • some stones left -- you lost
  • all stones gone -- next period

However, this is not correct. Why? Because a move is not complete when the stone hit the board, but when the clock was hit. Otherwise we had to decide if or not a stone hit the board earlier than the flag fell, which is virtually impossible. So, the criterion has to be something like

  • lid closed -- you lost
  • lid open -- next period

loading another duty on the player's neck: operating the lid.

With only a plain clock, Steady Average has to be emulated -- see below.


Emulation

The player

  • gets the initial period,
  • gets N stones,
  • and closes his lid (shuts his supply).

If the player runs out of time with lid closed:

  • the player loses on time.

If the player runs out of time with lid open:

  • the opponent stops both clocks,
  • the opponent puts one extra period on the player's clock,
  • the player counts out N stones,
  • the player closes his lid,
  • they check,
  • and the opponent starts the player's clock again.

If the player runs out of stones:

  • (relaxed version)
    • the player hits his clock and opens his lid.
  • (strict version)
    • the player stops both clocks,
    • the player opens his lid,
    • they check,
    • and the player starts the opponent's clock.

Questions

Tderz: Fischer Timing would also fall under this definition, wouldn't it? The Fischer-seconds are added after exactly one move has been made in a period.

Robert Pauli: No, Total Average Timing is the one that covers Fischer! Under Steady Average any move beyond the N-th in the same period earns nothing. Under Total Average, however, you're already working towards your next extra period.

Tderz: Phew ... I might have my slow days - or the definition is not yet foolproof?
I want to understand you - but do not succeed.

1

Steady Average Timing is the time system where

  • one gets an initial period of time,
  • time used for each move is deducted,
  • and an extra period of time is added after exactly N moves were made in a period.

Total Average Timing is the time system where

  • one gets an initial period of time,
  • time used for each move is deducted,
  • and an extra period of time is added after each N-th move.

Question/wondering: for N=1, how can this one move not be made in a period? Hence, my conclusion is until here: for N=1, the steady and total average timing have the same concept (thus both cover Fischer).

2

Could you explain your drawings? And, why, in the example has the player not lost after #step 8a ? (or got 3 minutes). Rather, s/he seems to have played 4 stones (3, 2, 1, 0 at 7 and 0 at 8a). Is the example flawed or am I simply not getting it?

Mutatis mutandis the player should have got his new 3 stones + 3 minutes at 4a, not at 4b .... sorry the penny fell just now ...

Robert Pauli: It's subtle.

  1. Total Average with N = 1 is Fischer, right, Steady Average with N = 1 not. Why? Because after you've done your move the unused time isn't added to the next period. However, it's neither spilled. You can use it for extra moves, "between" the periods.
    • Sorry, the drawings don't reflect the fact that further moves beyond N are treated differently. For instance, if you make 2N moves in one period, Total Average grants you two further periods, whereas Steady Average still only one.
    • Each step sees you at turn. Steps 4 - 7 therefore play four stones, right. You didn't lose in 8a because your charge of stones already was down to zero: condition met, but earned period still owed, and it stays owed under Steady Average until the period is done (4b, 8b).

Example

3 moves ("stones") in 3 minutes.

   #    Time   Stones    Used
   --------------------------
   1     3:00    3       0:40
   2     2:20    2       1:50
   3     0:30    1       0:29
   4a    0:01    0       0:01
   4b    3:00    3       1:10
   5     1:50    2       1:45
   6     0:05    1       0:03
   7     0:02    0       0:01
   8a    0:01    0       0:01
   8b    3:00    3       2:10
   9     0:50    2       0:50
  10     0:00    1       lost

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This is a copy of the living page "Steady Average Timing" at Sensei's Library.
(OC) 2005 the Authors, published under the OpenContent License V1.0.
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