Re: [computer-go] citation

[Jan Ramon <Jan.Ramon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Tue, 13 Jul 2004, Harry W wrote:

> > What is your "more specific" definition of a ladder?
> >  It's hard for me
> > to imagine a definition more "specific" than the one
> > John gave.
>
> Here's a very good explanation on what a ladder is:
> http://senseis.xmp.net/?Ladders
>
> The whole reason when the term "ladder" is used is
> because the shape looks like a ladder. Since John's
> definition fails to mention this rudimentary fact make
> his definition imprecise.
>
> In fact his definition is so generalized, that it
> includes situations such as ladders and many more
> other situations that are not ladders. this is why I
> called the difinition imprecise.
>
Well, ok, in my original mail I could have avoided discussion by speaking
about "generalized ladders".  Still, John's proof only considers "gadgets"
which allows for bending ladders, and splitting/merging ladders.
For the rest, the keep their ladder-looking shape, which makes the proof
quite fun.
The fact that this is not trivial for "most Go player above 7-8 kyu could
solve it if they are just careful." is probably best illustrated by a
famous game of O Meien 9dan a few years ago; he resigned after playing 2
moves in a (bending) ladder before seeing it. (And everyone called it a
ladder at that time).

Jan




_______________________________________________
computer-go mailing list
computer-go@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.computer-go.org/mailman/listinfo/computer-go/