diff --git a/tig-benchmarker/master/master/client_manager.py b/tig-benchmarker/master/master/client_manager.py
index 3d3ea743..f46667ed 100644
--- a/tig-benchmarker/master/master/client_manager.py
+++ b/tig-benchmarker/master/master/client_manager.py
@@ -176,7 +176,7 @@ async def get_jobs():
                         WHEN B.end_time IS NOT NULL THEN 'COMPLETED'
                         WHEN B.stopped IS NOT NULL THEN 'STOPPED'
                         WHEN B.merkle_proofs_ready = true THEN 'SUBMITTING PROOF'
-                        WHEN B.sampled_nonces IS NOT NULL THEN 'COMPUTING PROOF'
+                        WHEN B.sampled_nonces IS NOT NULL AND B.merkle_root_ready THEN 'COMPUTING PROOF'
                         WHEN B.sampled_nonces IS NULL AND B.merkle_root_ready THEN 'SUBMITTING ROOT'
                         ELSE 'COMPUTING ROOT'
                     END AS status,
diff --git a/tig-benchmarker/master/master/job_manager.py b/tig-benchmarker/master/master/job_manager.py
index c1a461c5..82bbc0a6 100644
--- a/tig-benchmarker/master/master/job_manager.py
+++ b/tig-benchmarker/master/master/job_manager.py
@@ -272,7 +272,8 @@ def run(self):
                 SELECT A.benchmark_id
                 FROM proofs_batch A
                 INNER JOIN job B
-                    ON B.merkle_proofs_ready IS NULL
+                    ON B.merkle_root_ready
+                    AND B.merkle_proofs_ready IS NULL
                     AND A.benchmark_id = B.benchmark_id
                 GROUP BY A.benchmark_id
                 HAVING COUNT(*) = COUNT(A.ready)
diff --git a/tig-benchmarker/master/master/slave_manager.py b/tig-benchmarker/master/master/slave_manager.py
index 39fcd6f4..100f2ffb 100644
--- a/tig-benchmarker/master/master/slave_manager.py
+++ b/tig-benchmarker/master/master/slave_manager.py
@@ -51,6 +51,7 @@ def run(self):
                     FROM proofs_batch A
                     INNER JOIN job B
                         ON A.ready IS NULL
+                        AND B.merkle_root_ready
                         AND B.stopped IS NULL
                         AND A.benchmark_id = B.benchmark_id
                     ORDER BY B.block_started, A.benchmark_id, A.batch_idx
@@ -168,9 +169,15 @@ async def submit_batch_root(batch_id: str, request: Request):
                     )
                 b["end_time"] = time.time() * 1000
 
-            logger.debug((await request.body()).decode())
-            result = await request.json()
-            logger.debug(f"slave {slave_name} submitted root for {batch_id}")
+            try:
+                result = await request.json()
+                merkle_root = MerkleHash.from_str(result["merkle_root"])
+                solution_nonces = result["solution_nonces"]
+                assert isinstance(solution_nonces, list) and all(isinstance(x, int) for x in solution_nonces)
+                logger.debug(f"slave {slave_name} submitted root for {batch_id}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"slave {slave_name} submitted INVALID root for {batch_id}: {e}")
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="INVALID root")
             
             # Update roots table with merkle root and solution nonces
             benchmark_id, batch_idx = batch_id.split("_")
@@ -198,8 +205,8 @@ async def submit_batch_root(batch_id: str, request: Request):
                         AND batch_idx = %s                    
                     """,
                     (
-                        result["merkle_root"],
-                        json.dumps(result["solution_nonces"]),
+                        merkle_root.to_str(),
+                        json.dumps(solution_nonces),
                         benchmark_id,
                         batch_idx
                     )
@@ -229,8 +236,13 @@ async def submit_batch_proofs(batch_id: str, request: Request):
                     )
                 b["end_time"] = time.time() * 1000
 
-            result = await request.json()
-            logger.debug(f"slave {slave_name} submitted proofs for {batch_id}")
+            try:
+                result = await request.json()
+                merkle_proofs = [MerkleProof.from_dict(x) for x in result["merkle_proofs"]]
+                logger.debug(f"slave {slave_name} submitted proofs for {batch_id}")
+            except Exception as e:
+                logger.error(f"slave {slave_name} submitted INVALID proofs for {batch_id}: {e}")
+                raise HTTPException(status_code=400, detail="INVALID proofs")
 
             # Update proofs table with merkle proofs
             benchmark_id, batch_idx = batch_id.split("_")
@@ -254,7 +266,7 @@ async def submit_batch_proofs(batch_id: str, request: Request):
                         AND batch_idx = %s
                     """, 
                     (
-                        json.dumps(result["merkle_proofs"]), 
+                        json.dumps([x.to_dict() for x in merkle_proofs]), 
                         benchmark_id, 
                         batch_idx
                     )
diff --git a/tig-benchmarker/postgres/init.sql b/tig-benchmarker/postgres/init.sql
index c130c915..a822447d 100644
--- a/tig-benchmarker/postgres/init.sql
+++ b/tig-benchmarker/postgres/init.sql
@@ -134,25 +134,25 @@ SELECT '
     "max_pending_benchmarks": 4,
     "algo_selection": {
       "satisfiability": {
-        "algorithm": "sat_global_opt",
+        "algorithm": "schnoing",
         "num_nonces": 40,
         "weight": 1,
         "base_fee_limit": "10000000000000000"
       },
       "vehicle_routing": {
-        "algorithm": "advanced_routing",
+        "algorithm": "clarke_wright",
         "num_nonces": 40,
         "weight": 1,
         "base_fee_limit": "10000000000000000"
       },
       "knapsack": {
-        "algorithm": "classic_quadkp",
+        "algorithm": "dynamic",
         "num_nonces": 40,
         "weight": 1,
         "base_fee_limit": "10000000000000000"
       },
       "vector_search": {
-        "algorithm": "invector_hybrid",
+        "algorithm": "optimal_ann",
         "num_nonces": 40,
         "weight": 1,
         "base_fee_limit": "10000000000000000"