[computer-go] Is MC-UCT really scalable against humans?

[Alain Baeckeroot]

Le mardi 22 janvier 2008, Mark Boon a écrit :
> 
> On 22-jan-08, at 11:33, Magnus Persson wrote:
> 
> > So feel free to argue that 19x19 has properties that are unique,  
> > but in doing so please *specify* exactly what this means and why a  
> > computer program has to deal with it to play really strong.
> 
> Magnus,
> 
> Would you argue the same for 3x3 Go?
> 
> I think there are a lot of skills involved in playing 19x19 Go that  
> one doesn't need in 9x9 Go. Mostly involving longer term planning  
> like combining corner joseki, influence and thickness and more such  
> things.
Are't these things only shortcuts for a poor human brain, only a way
to compensate their lack of reading ability.
Like in fluid dynamics, one use macroscopic description (pression, temperature,
mass, speed =patterns and josekis) to summarize a huge amount of underlying 
very simple things (molecules position and speeds = stones and mutlples semeais)
But these macroscopic representations are flawned enought to oblige
real testing in wind-tunnel or alike before launching a new protoype of plane.

In go the real strenght of a players is limited by its reading and counting
capacity, no matter how much theory he knows.

on 9X9 MC/UCT showed they are strong at reading and counting, that matters.


> Maybe it will turn out that a computer doesn't need different   
> concepts for 19x19 to play well. So far the evidence is to the  
> contrary and programmers are inclined to add more knowledge related  
> things to their program when moving to 19x19.
I think combining good fuseki ala mango (see kgs ;), with other MC/UCT 
will give a nice improvement.

We 'll see with Mogo match against professional soon :-)
Alain