Movement-files as used in programs balans en picolo

Balans and picolo read and write movement files that confirm to the proposed standard for movements in the format .asc

A few extensions to this standard are allowed when reading movements.

• The header may also consist of 2 numbers, i.e. number of pairs,  number of rounds. This implies a pairs movement where the number of tables is equal to the number of pairs divided by two and the numbers of board groups is equal to the number of rounds .
• The letter g on the header line indicates that the board groups are specified as numbers. When this 'g' is omitted the program itself determines which way the board groups are specified.
• Extra new lines within a round are allowed.
• When the board groups are given by letters, capital and lower case letters are allowed. A distinction is made between capital and lower case letters.
• The letters or numbers used for the board groups don't have to be consecutive, and they don't have to start with the letter A or the number 1. See however option H below.
• To the header, options H or M may be added, after the numerical part:

  H = Howell
  In this case the movement file contains only the first round. From this line a complete movement is generated according to a standard algorithm. It this process it is assumed the board groups are consecutive capital letters A B C ... or numbers 1 2 3 ... . If not the program does not work correctly.

  • The highest pair number(s) are stationary. The number of stationary pairs is equal to the number of pairs - the number of rounds. For a complete Howell this is 1. The other pairs follow the pair number that is 1 lower.
  • board groups follow the board group that is 1 lower.

  M = Mitchell

  Analogously, but using a Mitchell algorithm;

  After every round:

  • NS pairs are stationary
  • EW pairs go up 1 table
  • The board group is increased by 1.

  Warning!! Option M is only suitable for Mitchells with an odd number of tables, and "relay Mitchells" with an even number of tables, and not for variants like the "skip Mitchell".

  This type of notation is also used in Movements - a fair approach by Hallen Hanner and Jannersten. We give an example from this book, (pag 60), a short Howell for 5 tables.

  10 7 H
  8 1 1   5 3 2   10 7 3   6 2 4   4 9 5
  

  Balans and picolo generate from this a complete movement for 10 pairs and 7 rounds.

Movements for odd number of pairs

Movements for odd number of pairs are accepted without problem. Consider for instance the next two movements. The first one is a movement for 11 pairs. The second one is the same movement but now disguised as a movement for 12 pairs, where pair 12 is absent.

A.
11  6  6  6 0  
 1- 2 A  3- 4 B  5- 6 C  7- 8 D  9-10 E  0- 0 0  
 5- 9 A  1- 7 B 11- 2 C  3-10 D  0- 0 0  4- 6 F  
 8- 6 A  0- 0 0  7-10 C  9- 1 D  4-11 E  2- 3 F  
10-11 A  9- 2 B  3- 8 C  0- 0 0  6- 1 E  5- 7 F  
 0- 0 0  6-10 B  1- 4 C 11- 5 D  7- 2 E  9- 8 F  
 4- 7 A 11- 8 B  0- 0 0  6- 2 D  3- 5 E 10- 1 F 

B.
12  6  6  6 0  
 1- 2 A  3- 4 B  5- 6 C  7- 8 D  9-10 E  0- 0 0  
 5- 9 A  1- 7 B 11- 2 C  3-10 D  0- 0 0  4- 6 F  
 8- 6 A  0- 0 0  7-10 C  9- 1 D  4-11 E  2- 3 F  
10-11 A  9- 2 B  3- 8 C  0- 0 0  6- 1 E  5- 7 F  
 0- 0 0  6-10 B  1- 4 C 11- 5 D  7- 2 E  9- 8 F  
 4- 7 A 11- 8 B  0- 0 0  6- 2 D  3- 5 E 10- 1 F 

Picolo and balans accept both forms.