Computer Go
Whereas for other games computers have been programmed to play at expert level, Go has proved notoriously difficult to crack. The sheer number of possible plays means complete calculation is impossible except in a few local situations (such as life and death positions). Also Go relies more on shape recognition and judgement of strength and weakness, which are hard to program. Throughout the end of the last century several programmers tried hard to get programs good enough to win the top prizes that were on offer, but all failed - the best being about mid-club-player level. Still the reward for the programmer that cracks the problem is large, just in commercial terms. The latest programs use a method of playing lots of random games on each move to determine the move that gives the most wins. These are getting very strong on small boards. It will be a few years still before they win against pros on big boards.Every year there are various Computer Go championships and these and their results are listed at the Computer-Go.info site.
Go and the Media
A key element of Go is that in East Asia it is popular also as a spectator sport. Traditionally the games between top players attract great attention. Many newspaper supports their own Go title match in return for the exclusive right to cover the event. A fine example of the status of Go is the book "The Master of Go" by Yasunari Kawabata, Go journalist and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature.In China and South Korea many television networks are covering Go. Some Beijing press organisations focus on Go all the time.
Japan's national TV Station organises a yearlong tournament which is shown every Sunday for two hours with a very high number of viewers. In addition, among the commercial TV stations that cover Go, there is a special Go channel.
The New Media
The possibility of playing Go on the Internet has changed the world of Go. The Internet connects Go players around the world, which is especially essential in those parts of the world not densely populated by Go fans. A survey estimates that over 100,000 players outside Asia use the Internet to play Go. In Korea over 3 million people are experienced in Internet Go games. The Internet furthermore creates huge possibilities for promoting and teaching Go.The first website of the IGF was officially opened in August 2002 and is used for posting information and creating a network among members. In reporting on our events and activities, the IGF works together with several partners.
