A virtual machine is interesting to me when it corresponds to a hardware target, since then that isn't hiding complexity in software. I suppose, though, that an enterprising individual could make a custom hardware target that implements an overly complex, overspecific instruction set and win at hardware golf but I'd honestly be very impressed.
The positive part about virtual machines in general would be the ease of debugging and sharing/validating answers, though.
The positive part about virtual machines in general would be the ease of debugging and sharing/validating answers, though.