[computer-go] Re: Interesting problem

[Christoph Birk]

On Thu, 4 Jan 2007, Don Dailey wrote:
> I have a question.  With perfect play, obviously a 9 stone handicap
> game is dead lost.   If 2 perfect players played a game where one
> was given the 9 stones, and they played for maximum territory (obviously
> it doesn't make sense to play for a win) would the handicapped player
> be able to hold some territory at the end of the game?    Could he
> carve out a little piece for himself even against his perfect
> opponents wishes?

Between equal players that's easy.
I talked about this with very strong amateur (> 6d) from Taiwan and
he told me that professionals estimate the handicap where white
cannot live to be about 17 stones.

Christoph