How many times has the world Go championship been held
previously?
A.
In 1999 a tournament was held under the name 'TheCGF
Computer Go Championships'. Following this 'The World
Go Championship 2003-Gifu Challenge' was held at Softopia
Japan making this years event the 2nd.
Q.
What was the turnout like for the World Go Championship
2003?
A.
Teams from 8 different nations as well as a mixed
nations team participated. In total there were 17 teams
from the following countries.
Japan 7, England 1, Holland 1, Germany 1, America 2,
China 2, Korea 1, North Korea 1, Mixed nations 1.
Q.
Can you please tell me some more about the 1999 CGF
Computer Go Championship.
A.
In 1995 an NPO was established by researchers and programmers
with interests in Go, Computer Go and AI. Members wanted
to take the results from their joint projects and exchanges
realting to Go and contribute to the development of
AI. A number of members from the industry leading Information
Processing Society of Japan's Game Research Association
are active participants with the CGF.
Participants set their computers up in Softopia Japan's
Sopia Hall and connect to their opponents computer via
a data cable upon which the software automatically starts.
Once the programme has begun no human intervention is
allowed. Spectators are able to watch the games progress
on a giantprojection screenset up in the hall. There
are also plans to broadcast portions of games live on
the web.
Q.
Are the programmes entered into the event 'game software'?
A.
Retail Go software is made up of developments that have come about through Go programme development such as 'rules engines', however game software is set up for play against a human opponent so both types can not be considered the same.
Q.
How powerful are current Go programmes?
A.
With Go game software products range from beginners level for amatuers right through to professional Go Association level software. In the computer chess world IBM's Deep Blue claimed a victory over humans by defeating Garry Kasparov of Russia in 1997.
