Re: [gnugo-devel] GNUgo on NNGS

[Paul Pogonyshev]

Dan wrote:
> > Hi !
> > What explain that GNUgo lost almost 1 Kyu on NNGS ?
> > md
>
> Suppose we try turning the Cosmic option off and see if it
> goes back up?
>
> When the Cosmic patch was made default in 3.5.1, we had
> 134 unexpected FAILS and 39 unexpected PASS in the regressions,
> a net loss of 95. See regression/BREAKAGE for a list of these
> changes. Also games that I've watched on NNGS have seemed to
> play worse than 3.4. These days most games are depressing to
> watch, and I did not have that feeling during the weeks
> leading up to 3.4.

I agree that the cosmic patch is not very useful (yet).  Frankly
speaking, i don't like the basic idea.

As far as i understand, the patch weights quite well tuned territorial
valuations.  The effect is probably an emulation of strategical value/
moyo value.

What i don't like in this approach is the distortion in more or less
precise territorial valuation.  I'd rather prefer a separate strategy
module that would use some heuristics (maybe neural networks) to
e.g. determine weak dragons which are useful to be pushed and chased
around to gain influence/territory.

However, i'm not absolutely against the patch.  If it were in better
shape, i'd have nothing against it as a temporarily solution.

I've seen a game on NNGS recently where GNU Go created a huge
surrounded area which was obviously invadeable.  I guess this was an
effect of cosmic patch -- overevaluation of moyo/center territory.
The game ended in 100+ point loss.

Paul