[computer-go] 9x9 games wanted and the next big challenge

[Nick Wedd]

In message <200707081316.17224.alain.baeckeroot at laposte.net>, alain 
Baeckeroot <alain.baeckeroot at laposte.net> writes
>Le dimanche 8 juillet 2007 11:51, chrilly a écrit :
>> If it would be really a big challenge, there would be some money.
>There was a computer challenge with 1 million dollar prize during
>many years, for a program abble to beat one professional choosen by the
>sponsor. I don't know if it is still valid offer.

The prize was not exactly US $1,000,000, but Taiwanese $40,000,000.  It 
would currently be worth US $1,219,000.  When it was on offer, it could 
be won be a program beating an insei (a trainee professional, about as 
strong as a European amateur 6-dan) in four of seven games.  Judging 
from past events, this would not be a seven-game match between the 
program and an insei, but seven simultaneous games between the program 
and seven different inseis - this is rather easier for the program, as 
the inseis would have less scope to learn from its mistakes.

There were smaller prizes, for the first program to beat an insei on 
various handicaps, as follows:

Handicap  match   prize, NT$
no komi    3/5    20,000,000  (about US $610,000)
2 stones   2/3    10,000,000
3 stones   2/3     5,000,000
4 stones   2/3     2,000,000
5 stones   2/3     1,000,000
6 stones   2/3       850,000
7 stones   2/3       700,000
8 stones   2/3       550,000
9 stones   2/3       400,000
10 stones  2/3       250,000  won by Handtalk in 1997
etc.

These prizes are not currently on offer.

They were last on offer in 2000.  A report from the 2000 Ing Cup stated 
"There was a rumor that the Ing competition will be extended for 10 more 
years, but it was unconfirmed."  This rumour must have been false. No 
Ing cup has been held since then.  I have heard a rumour that the 
managers of the Ing Foundation may one day decide to reinstate the prize 
money; but as the years pass this is looking increasingly unlikely.

Nick
-- 
Nick Wedd    nick at maproom.co.uk