Re: Bug-gnubg Digest, Vol 234, Issue 4

[Frank Berger]

Hi all,

IMHO there is little to add to Ians summary:

- I think that Snowie is not as strong as XG, GnuBG and BGBlitz nowadays (PR 
around 1). It was of comparable strength, but Michel (or Oystein?) trained a 
newer net some years ago.

- “stronger” doesn't mean it plays always the better move (a widespread 
belief). Cross checking makes a lot of sense, especially in unusual positions.


There was Tony Lezards “Dueller” that could automate Bot matches (but no 
support for XG) and it was abandoned by it’s author some time ago (there was a 
slight attempt to revive it, but so much to do and so little time).

I would attempt to use the cli of GnuBG to build something like that. Recently 
s.o. published that he wanted to do a protocol for bot duelling, but I guess we 
can’t expect support from Xavier, so it is questionable if it pays off.

I had once the idea of pluggable AI for a desktop, so one UI and possible 
several AI, then duelling would be a bonus effect, but no bot has ever applied 
and the ones I had couldn’t be published for legal reasons (pubeval, Guru from 
a guy in UK and aigammon) so at some time I kicked it out.  I may be talked 
into reviving it.  

best
Frank