Igor,
This is true. It is a go or blow depending on luck to a great extent. The end goal is maximum profit. That is why developers design the ea's with that in mind and they pray for favorable market conditions. I have to say though, that many viable trading systems are presented and tested every year. Perhaps the format of the competition is not representative of real trading and the risks associated with it. You have made a very nice summary. But it is a topic of another discussion. I will not be spamming your thread. The above was just a little joke that i thought was funny:-)