[Computer-go] Some newbie questions

[René van de Veerdonk]

Welcome,

On Mon, Jan 3, 2011 at 10:47 AM, Joona Kiiski <joona.kiiski at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hi everyone!
>
> In last few years I've spend a lot of time with computer chess,
> but in general I found Go much more interesting than chess.
>
> I have zero experience in writing go program, but I've read with
> great interest about Monte Carlo playouts being a highly effective
> new weapon in computer go.
>
> Question 1: How does one playout go? Are you using completely
> random moves or something smarter?
>
> Question 2: Are there some (preferably high-quality) open-source
> programs around? I took a look at GnuGo, but it's terribly complex
> and seems to presents era before MC-breakthrough.
>

There are many choices here, some already mentioned.
Basic and educational is the classic Brown engine, which features a 'heavy'
random move generator (no search)
On the list you can search for source-code for several reference bots
(RefBot, in Java, C, C++, Go [Gongo], and some other languages)
LibEgo is an elegant and efficient (earlier versions, anyway) open source
C++ MCTS-engine
Orego is an open source Java MCTS-engine
Fuego is a fully featured and well documented C++ MCTS-engine (several
engines on a general framework)
A bitmap-based implementation of light playouts can be found searching for
BitmapGo in the list
Browse around on Sensei-library for more suggestions

Question 3: Are there standardized protocols which allow programs
> easily play against each others? Are there GUIs or tourney managers
> to easily play a lot of engine-engine matches.
>

Others already mentioned gtp as the protocol, but look for GoGui as a GUI
frontend (implemented in Java), that also allows automated bot-to-bot
matches. Gomill is a recent, more extensive framework for bot-to-bot
matchups. Finally, CGOS is an often used bot-server for 9x9, 13x13, and
19x19 play, where you can establish a rating against other bots. Play
against humans on KGS.

Good luck,

René


> If the conditions are right, I might want to try Go-programming in near
> future...
>
> Joona Kiiski
>
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