On 10/30/07, Heikki Levanto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > It's really a function of the perceived chances of winning. When > behind, > > it'll play bold moves since it's the only real way to win. An MC bot > that > > is behind in endgame (even if by 1/2 point) plays so wildly, it > frequently > > loses all of its stones! When an MC bot is ahead, it'll play safe moves > > that help guarantee a coast to victory (many times by 1/2 point). > > I think you are reading a bit too much intention into its play. When the > game > is already decided, it makes no difference where to play. So a pure MC > program will end up playing totally random. If it is winning, it will > happily > let parts of a group die, as long as that does not change the result. If > behind, it will not try to collect small points here and there, but just > play > where ever - often leading to death and destruction among its own groups.
In a decided game, you're right. When the game is not decided, it's an important consideration to take into account. Let's say you have to decide between gently containing your enemy or going for an all-out kill. Certainly, containment will give more reliable results. If that reliable result is a victory, it's the right move. If the result would be a loss, it's time to go for a kill. This type of decision (maybe in less extreme cases) is a common decision criteria for players stronger than me. As a moderately strong human, I play with a fixed strategy. I accept a fixed level of risk for all my groups and territory, and rarely waiver from that. In my relatively conservative strategy, I've coasted to a loss by 10 point or less more times than I care to count. This concept is quite foreign to a reasonable MC player. Similarly, I've been in won games and gotten bitten by a tesuji by the opponent. If I had been just a bit safer in my play, I could have had a comfortable win. Similarly, reasonable MC bots solidify the core to win rather than try to keep everything. A lot of times, when these factors have a big impact on the MC play (as a deviation from human-like play), humans consider it to be blunders by the MC bot. They really aren't, it just feels unnatural.
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