computer-go: Re: best computer GO program

[stefanmertin@xxxxxxxxxxx (Stefan Mertin)]

Manuel Fernando Cabido Peres Lopes wrote:
> 	Stefan Mertin
>
> 	In computer Go tournments I always see the results but I can get
> no clue about the best program's rank? What rank would they be able to get
> in IGS?
>
> 	Thank you 
>
> 	Manuel Lopes

I didnīt play go on IGS or any other server yet -
so you should ask the programmers: 
most of them have some experience with their program on a Go-server...

I am 8 kyu myself (with 5 wins of 10 in Dublin 2001) and I think,
the best programs are equal or a little bit stronger than me,
this would mean 7 to 8 kyu for GoeMate2001 and Go4++beta72
and I would estimate 8 to 9 kyu for ManyFaces10.2 and HandTalk (, FunGo ?)
and perhaps 9 to 10 kyu for GoProfessional3, GoAhead4.2 and Wulu2.38 ...

B U T   ...

to be very precise, we should first agree that computer programs
yet don`t play go !
They are making go-moves. This is not the same. 
So you canīt really give them a go playing rank,
which is meant for the understanding of a whole game.
You just can compare the quality of their moves.
The problem is now, that the moves of nearly all go programs 
vary very much from about a dan-players strength to 20-30 kyu !!

Stefan Mertin


(I would think to put this dialogue on the list,  if it would be ok for you ?)

> Thanks for the answer and of course you can publish the question
> and answer. This fact is important for me because I'm going to teach Go to
> a few university professors and it's a way to know the state-of-the-art.