From: Chiaki Ito <shogi <at> MAIL <dot> COM>
Date: 14 sep 2000
Subject: Re: Computer's rating

I also thought that was impressive because I thought computer is far lower
than that.

At the MSO, I had a chance to talk to a guy (forgot his name) who helped
developing AI Shogi. He told me that his software used by powerful machine
has beaten in 10 seconds games the lower Shoreikai members easily.  If
assisted by human, I think they can even play with top amateur players in
blitz.

Anyway, the computer has become much better than we all thought previously.

Chiaki

At 12:25 00/09/13 -0400, you wrote:
>      I just learned that one of the top (if not the top) shogi programs has
> a well-established rating on "ShogiDojo".  It is "Kanazawashogi".  Its
> rating is 1941, in the lower part of the three dan range.  Since ShogiDojo
> Dan ranks run close to two ranks below most Japanese club and western
> ranks, it would appear to be in the range of strong 4 Dan to weak 5 Dan by
> normal standards, even allowing for the possibility that many of the games
> could have been played at the fast time limit (basically, 30" byoyomi
> only).  Impressive!
>      Of course we have no way of knowing whether the program is playing
> totally without human assistance, though I have no reason to suspect it of
> getting aid.
>      If the programs get a bit stronger, would they qualify for the
> Shoreikai?  After all, they certainly meet the youthful age conditions!
>
>      Larry Kaufman
>