Q.

How many times has the World Go Championship been held?

This year will mark the third year "The World Go Championship" will be held at Softopia Japan.

Q.

What was the turnout like for the World Go Championship 2004?

Teams from 4 different nations as well as a mixed nations team participated. In total there were 13 teams from the following countries.

Japan 10 America 1
Korea 1 North Korea 1

Q.

Can you please tell me some more about the Computer Go Forum(CGF).

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 relating to Go and contribute to the development of AI. There are a number of members such as researchers from universities and companies etc in the information processing society of Japan's Game Research Association, who are exercising leadership roles within the CGF.

Contact: Mr Sasaki, sasaki@pu-hiroshima.ac.jp

http://www.computer-go.jp/index.html

Q.

How are the games of Computer Go conducted?

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 compete with each other automatically. Once the programme has begun no human intervention is allowed. Spectators are able to watch the games progress on a giant projection screen set up in the hall.

Q.

Are the computer Go programmes entered into the event 'game software'?

Retail Go software is made up of developments that have come about through Go programme development such as 'analytical 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?

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.