The Computer Go Scene

FOST Cup Computer Go Contest 1997, Nagoya, Japan.

Computer Go can be traced back to the late 60's but really took off in the late 80's when computers became fast enough and cheap enough for hobbyists and academics to start developing credible programs. Since then there have been several "computer vs computer" tournaments a year including the Ing, FOST, CGF and 21st Century cups as well as regular European and North American championships. There is also World Wide Web Computer Go Ladder for more friendly competition.

The tournaments attract a great deal of media interest, and there are regularly newspaper journalists and film crews from the local television stations at these events. Some of the contests have also had good prizemoney, one even had a first prize of over 15,000 US dollars.

Computer Go is now a respected academic research field, and there have been a great many PhD's and scientific papers published on the subject. Indeed ever since the victory of "Deep Blue", game AI researchers are turning to the next frontier... Computer Go!

There is a Computer Go Mailing List for programmers to discuss ideas and algorithms.

Back to Mick's Computer Go Page.