[computer-go] Re: Interesting problem

[Nick Apperson]

well, i'm pretty sure that against a top player i would need around 20
stones to have much of a shot, but if I remember correctly, at the
professional level, a 17-18 stone free placement is needed to take the
entire board.  A 9 stone handicap is not nearly enough to take the whole
board no matter where they are placed.

On 1/5/07, Heikki Levanto <heikki at lsd.dk> wrote:
>
> On Thu, Jan 04, 2007 at 04:37:08PM -0500, 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?
>
> If the handicap stones are placed on the traditional points (4-4, etc),
> then the answer is obviously yes. It is possible to live with a 3-3
> invasion under such a stone.
>
> If the handicap stones are placed at 3-4 points, there should be ample
> room to approach from the side, and live in the corner or on the side.
>
> I guess that if the stones are places on 3-3, it should be possible to
> approach at 4-4, and slide to one of the sides, and possibly make a life
> there. Here I am not strong enough to say for sure.
>
> The last alternative I can think is to use 2 stones for each corner, but
> that leaves the sides wide open. Black can invade the middle of a side,
> and probably make a life there. Again I ask stronger players' opinions.
>
>
> So, my guess is that white can always squeeze a small life somewhere. In
> normal play black would of course welcome that, because he can secure so
> much more by containing the small white group.
>
> But what kind of player can give 9 stones to one who plays (near?)
> perfect?
>
> -Heikki
>
>
>
> --
> Heikki Levanto   "In Murphy We Turst"     heikki (at) lsd (dot) dk
>
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