The progress of computer Go

[Compgo123@xxxxxxx]

I have been away from programming Go for about a year. Recently I down loaded
and read through the most recent message archive. My impression is that the
discussions in this mailing list is now more toward the implementing specific
techniques in the program compared to the discussion of basic techniques
sometime ago. There are more and stronger Go programs in both the commercial
market and Computer Go tournaments. I think it's very important to evaluate
the real ranking of the most strong Go programs. I went through the game
between Goemate and Sauri Ishihara. However, I have to say that the game is
played at a level between 10 to 13 kyu on IGS. Of course, one has to give
credit to Goemate's ability in both fighting and positional jugdement. In more
than one occasions in the game, it successfully used attacks to defuse its
weaknesses at the proper time. I also went through the first Silver Igo's game
posted by David Fortland. This game seems represent the mentality of present
day strong Go programs. That is to choose stable josekis, establish a base,
grab territory, then extend from the base. The game may be dull. But who
cares? As long as can win the tournament. I'm sure, as Go programs evolve,
this situation will change.

At present time, the only feasible way to write a strong Go program is to
incorporate Go knowledge into the program. Unless there are breakthroughs in
mathematical theories or in computer hardwares, this seems to be the way to
go. Then the question is how high can Go programs reach in Go playing levels
with this approach? I think it's possible to reach professional 1 dan level
with this approach in not too distant future. At present time, I think it's a
realistic goal is to reach higher than 5 kyu  levels on IGS. I think such a
program will consists of about 40,000 lines of C program with about 300
subroutines. Plus many MBs (100 MB or less?) of data files. Any program with
content less than this is hopeless in reaching above playing levels. This will
give many Go program starters an idea where he or she is standing at. Then
another question is how much has to be the increase in  Go program content to
reach professional 1 dan level? I think the program content has to increase at
least 30% to 50% from above level to reach professional 1 dan level.


Dan Liu