I don't think it's a good idea to evaluate based on shape alone. Good shape is just shorthand for other aspects of a the position that can be evaluated.
For example there are many times where it is good to make an empty triangle, so just saying empty triangles are bad is not a good evaluation. The reason empty triangles are bad is that two stones share a single liberty. That means that the group involved probably has one less liberty than it could have with a different move sequence. Since groups with more liberties are stronger, the empty triangle is often bad. But it's better to evaluate group strength directly, by counting and comparing liberty counts. Other shapes are called good because they are more flexible. One shape might have three ways to make an eye, while another only has one way. Again, having more ways to make an eye means that the group is stronger, and it is better to evaluate group strength directly, rather than the shape of the stones in the group. Many Faces has no shape terms in it evaluation. It does have extensive evaluation of group strength, based on potential for making eyes, degree to which the group is surrounded, and the liberty count in relation to other nearby weak groups. David > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Carter Cheng > Sent: Sunday, December 10, 2006 5:12 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: [computer-go] Metrics for good shape > > > I still have difficulties understanding certain > aspects of the game of go. One of the things I fail to > grasp is the concept of shape. I noticed most go > computer programs probably dont seem understand it > that well either- but it appears to be a long term > desirable feature of a position and something to aim > for. > > Are there good ways already to define something > quality of the position like this? > > Regards, > > Carter. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > computer-go mailing list > [email protected] > http://www.computer-go.org/mailman/listinfo/computer-go/ > _______________________________________________ computer-go mailing list [email protected] http://www.computer-go.org/mailman/listinfo/computer-go/
