American Go E-Journal » Computer Go/AI

Seattle Go Center to require instructors to wear lab coats

Monday April 1, 2019

The Seattle Go Center is pivoting to teaching the science of playing Go, instead of the art of Go playing, according to Program Manager Mike Malveaux.  Lab coat with Mike Malveaux sq crop copy“Our latest class, held on Wednesdays, is on programming computers in Python with Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning techniques, loosely following Deep Learning and the Game of Go by Max Pumperla and Kevin Ferguson.”  Operations Manager Brian Allen notes that some of the Go Center instructors have impressive scientific credentials.  For example, Yue Zhang has a Phd in Paleontology, in addition to being a 7 dan Go player. Lab Coat with Display Board sq crop copy To emphasize their connection to science, all teachers will be required to wear lab coats with Seattle Go Center logo patches.  “In the age of AlphaGo and Leela, our members expect this,” he reports. Visiting instructors will be allowed to wear ethnic costumes, such as two-piece business suits, if they want.  – report by Brian Allen.  photos: (left) Mike Malveaux by Brian Allen; (right) Yue Zhang by Mike Malveaux.

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 29: It’s personal for Michael

Sunday March 17, 2019

This game features AlphaGo’s version of the double karari against a starpoint. “That’s one I like and have been using in my own 2019.03.09 AG-AG 29 thumbnailgames, so it’s sort of personal for me,” says Michael Redmond 9p in the latest vi2019.03.09 AG-AG 29 thumbnail-redmond-garlockdeo with the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock. “Then black makes a big moyo and we’ll see how AlphaGo deals with that.”

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 28 (Part 2): So many possibilities

Saturday February 9, 2019

Michael Redmond 9p and the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock return with the exciting second half of the 28th game  of the 2019.02.08_AG28-thumbnailAlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games.

2019.02.08_AG28-thumbnail-redmond-garlock“There’s all these possibilities,” says Redmond, teasing Garlock “You’ve probably forgotten all the different variations we looked at.” Viewer crass syzygy says “Really beautiful variations. Mind blowing,” while Philippe Fanaro says that “‘That’s the good side of dying’ is the highlight of this series.”

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining  today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

 

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 28 (Part 1): Who’s zooming who?

Sunday February 3, 2019

In their latest in the popular video commentary series, Michael Redmond 9p, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock, 2019.02.01 AG-AG-28review the first half of the 28th game of the AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games. The 50-game series was published by Deepmind after AlphaGo’s victory over world champion Ke Jie 9p in May 2017.

2019.02.01 AG-AG-28-redmond-garlock“There’s a lot packed into this game,” says Redmond. “We start with a slightly confusing fight on the lower side, things slow down for a bit, then there are all these weak groups and it gets a bit confusing to tell who’s attacking and who’s in trouble, so it’s a pretty interesting middle game.” “Buckle your seatbelts!” adds Garlock. Part 2 will be published next Friday, February 8.

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

 

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 27: That kind of a game

Sunday January 27, 2019

2019.01.27_AG-27-thumbnailMichael Redmond 9p, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock, continue their popular series with a review of the 27th game of the AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games. The 50-game series was published by Deepmind after AlphaGo’s victory over world champion Ke Jie 9p in May 2017.

2019.01.27_AG-27-thumbnail-redmondThis game features two of the AG 3-3 invasions, a symmetrical shape and then “group after group appear on the upper side, right next to each other, and we’re going to have fun counting the number of groups,” says Redmond. “So it’s going to be that kind of a game.”

“Simply astounding game,” writes GerSHAK. “One of my favourites so far. Incredible detective work from Michael. Thank you so much.” Adds Rory Mitchell: “Wow! Just…wow!”

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

 

 

 

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 26: Using dead stones

Saturday January 12, 2019

Michael Redmond 9p, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock, continue their popular series with a review of the 26th 2019.01.12_AG-26-thumbnailgame of the AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games. The 50-game series was published by Deepmind after AlphaGo’s victory over world champion Ke Jie 9p in May 2017.2019.01.12_AG-26-redmond-garlock

Black builds a large moyo and White occasionally drops a stone in, and they’re all dead, until they come back to life. “It’s not really clear what White’s trying to do, but eventually all of the dead stones get used a lot, which is the main story of this game” says Redmond. “Thank you so much for continuing this series!” posted Yi Sheng Siow. “I always get a big smile on my face when I see a new one of these pop up!” added Rory Mitchell. “I’m really looking forward to watching it right after I finish cooking supper!”

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

 

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 25: The shoulder hit, with a twist

Sunday January 6, 2019

Michael Redmond 9p, hosted by the AGA E-Journal’s Chris Garlock, resume their popular series with a review of the 25th game of the 2019.01.05_AG-AG-25-thumbnailamazing AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo selfplay games.

2019.01.05_AG-AG-25-screengrabBlack starts out with “a very human-looking opening,” reminiscent of the mini Chinese Opening, an AG shoulder hit (with a twist), followed (of course) by a 3-3 invasion, which prompts a discussion of which side to block. The game also features a sacrifice that isn’t and a dramatic — and confusing — ending involving multiple groups that may or may not be alive.

These videos are made possible by the support of the American Go Association; please consider joining  today!

Video produced by Michael Wanek & Andrew Jackson.

[link]

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 24: More human?

Saturday November 17, 2018

“It could be that the way humans play go is changing, but in this game AlphaGo plays a lot of moves that human players are2018.11.16 AG24 playing these days,” says Michael Redmond 9P in the latest installment of his game commentaries with E-Journal Managing Editor Chris Garlock. “There’s a lot of fighting, as usual, but the territory is balanced and right up into the endgame there are groups whose life and death status is ambiguous,” Redmond says. “That affects the way the endgame is played, which makes it really interesting.”

Thanks to NGC Executive Director Gurujeet Khalsa for technical support, Jeff Fitzgerald for camera, lighting and sound; produced by Nathan Epstein and Michael Wanek.

[link]

Share

AlphaGo vs. AlphaGo; Game 23: LIVE from Washington DC!

Monday October 22, 2018

Game 23 in the AlphaGo self-play game series gets a very special extended treatment in this episode of Michael Redmond 2018.10.22_AlphaGo23-demo-board9P’s commentaries with E-Journal Managing Editor Chris Garlock. The episode was recorded live on 2018.10.22_AlphaGo23Friday, September 7 at the National Go Center in Washington DC, before a live audience, which had braved torrential rains to be on hand. Redmond first provides a brief overview of the game and then the two move to a demonstration board (at 18:40) for a more in-depth analysis, along with Q&A with the live audience. Check out the video here and the commented game record below.

Thanks to Jeff Fitzgerald for camera, lighting and sound, Nathan Epstein for production, NGC Executive Director Gurujeet Khalsa for technical support, and Andrew Jackson for editing.

[link]

Share

Capture go app for iPhone

Thursday September 20, 2018

Image-1There is a new capture go app for Apple devices, designed for the very young.  “I created this app for my six-year-old grandson who was showing interest in my go playing, but was not yet mature enough to understand ko fights, trade-offs, and sacrifice,” says developer Tim Hoel.  The app walks users through rules and basic concepts, all with spoken narration.  Beginners can see examples of how situations play out, and then find solutions themselves. Simple lessons build from there, of which there are several, and then you can play against the computer.  It has three difficulty levels, so players can move up against the machine.  At level three, it is smart enough to occasionally catch even an experienced player.  Level one stays easy enough to keep young kids from getting frustrated.  Lessons can be reviewed at any point, and the rules are printed out in a separate tab as well. As this is capture go, and not regular go, one has to keep playing until one or more stones  are captured.  Passing is not an option, which means you will need to fill in your own eye if there are no other moves. Young players likely won’t make it to this point anytime soon, but when they do, it is arguable they are ready for full go. “Capture Go is a great way to get started because the rules are a little simpler and the goal is easy to understand, but it still teaches a lot about recognizing liberties, contact fights, forcing sequences, and planning ahead,” adds Hoel.  iPhone and iPad users can find the free app in the App Store, there is no Android version. -Paul Barchilon, EJ Youth Editor

 

Share