The 2009 TopCoder Open (TCO) is a world-wide programming and graphic design tournament that is open to all TopCoder members 18 and older, who are in good standing, and meet all other eligibility criteria. There are nine different tracks of competition as part of the TCO: Algorithm, Architecture, Assembly, Component Design & Development, Marathon, Mod Dash, Specification, and Studio Design. Taking part in the TCO09 gives you the opportunity to showcase your programming and/or design skills up against some of the best in the world. We're also dishing out cash and prizes! Becoming a TopCoder member is easy and free. Register here. Have a question? Just email service@topcoder.com. Stay tuned for more details as we finalize the preparations for this awesome event!
Specification Competition Official Rules and Regulations
The 2009 TopCoder Open Specification Competition will take place between February 11 and June 4, 2009 ("Specification Competition"). The Specification Competition will consist of eight (8) weeks of online qualifying competitions, with up to two (2) of the highest scoring competitors winning a trip to the Tournament.
The Specification Competition is part of the Tournament, and by participating in this Specification Competition, you agree to these Rules.
Schedule
Competitors can register for the Tournament and be eligible to participate in the Specification Competition between 9:00 a.m. EST on February 11, 2009 and 9:00 a.m. EST on March 19, 2009. The Specification Competition will take place between February 11 and April 17, 2009 ("Specification Competition Period").
During the Specification Competition Period, Competitors who have registered for the Specification Competition and who participate in Tournament-eligible specification competitions on the TopCoder website, will receive points as outlined in these Rules. A Competitor's submission will not be scored separately for the Specification Competition. Only Tournament-eligible specification competitions in which registration has closed during the Specification Competition Period shall be included in determining points for the Specification Competition.
Competition Scoring
Scoring in the Specification Competition is determined based on the final placement for a Competitor's submission in a Tournament-eligible specification competition in accordance with the rules of such competition. A specification competition is Tournament-eligible if the competition is identified as being included as part of the Tournament. Only Competitors who are registered for the Tournament will be considered in determining place and placement points. Placement scoring is as follows:
- Highest Scoring Registered Competitor - 10 Points
- Second Highest Scoring Registered Competitor - 7 Points
- Third Highest Scoring Registered Competitor - 5 points
- Fourth Highest Scoring Registered Competitor - 4 Points
Penalty points
All final fixes will be completed according to the Online Review schedule. If there is a delay in submitting final fixes to a submission in a Tournament-eligible specification competition, the Competitor will be docked one (1) placement point per day (or part thereof) in which the final fixes are late.
Advancement
Upon the completion of all Tournament-eligible specification competitions, up to the five (5) highest individual placement scores that a Competitor receives during the Specification Competition Period will be added for a cumulative placement score. Up to two (2) Competitors with the highest cumulative placement score will be invited to attend the onsite awards ceremony at the Tournament.
In the event of a tie, the tie will be resolved in the following manner:
- Highest cumulative review score of the lesser number of competitions used to calculate the cumulative placement score for the tied Competitors.
- If a tie still remains, then the highest individual review score of the lesser number of competitions used to calculate the cumulative placement score for the tied Competitors.
- If a tie still remains, then all remaining tied Competitors will advance to the onsite awards ceremony of the Tournament.
- Competitions in which a Competitor earned 0 points will not be counted towards calculating tiebreaker scores.
Example:
Competitor #1 competes in three Tournament-eligible architecture competitions, and receives the following review and placement scores:
Project #1 - score 88.45; placement 2; placement score 7
Project #2 - score 76.33; placement 3; placement score 5
Project #3 - score 82.89; placement 3; placement score 5
Cumulative placement score: 7 + 5 + 5 = 17
Competitor #2 competes in two Tournament-eligible architecture competitions, and receives the following review and placement scores:
Project #1 - score 92.56; placement 1; placement score 10
Project #2 - score 75.83; placement 2; placement score 7
Cumulative placement score: 10 + 7 = 17
To break the tie, the Competitor with the highest cumulative review score of the lesser number of projects used to develop the cumulative placement score is the winner.
Contestant #1: 88.45 + 82.89 = 171.34
Contestant #2: 92.56 + 75.83 = 168.39
Contestant #1 would win the tiebreaker.
About the Prizes
The Specification Competition will award up to $9,500 in cash prizes. Any and all applicable taxes on prizes are the sole responsibility of the prizewinner.
| Competitor(s) | Prize | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st place finisher* in the Specification Competition | $7,500 | ||
| 2nd place finisher* in the Specification Competition | $2,000 | ||
| Up to the first 50 Competitors with the highest amount of points (minimum of 15 placement points) | Limited edition 2009 TopCoder Open t-shirt |
* Prior to Competitors receiving their cash prize, they must complete all work for all underlying specification competitions and Tournament and Specification Competition-related work, such as final fixes.
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