From: Nick Bardsley <nbardsley <at> KEYNOTE <dot> CO <dot> UK>
Date: 14 sep 2000
Subject: Re: Computer's rating

[rate of development of computer shogi]

>  It seems that computer shogi is
> following the same path as computer chess, but about fifteen
> years delayed, due to the greater complexity of the game.

Hmm. More like due to the fact that vastly less in the way of resources were
devoted to the development of strong Shogi programs in those 15 years.

If the complexity is greater (and I don't for a microsecond dispute that it
is) it seems, on the face of it, slightly odd that the _rate_ of development
(15 years delayed) is mirroring that of Chess. On reflection, this must be
due to the greater experience of complex games programming that obtains
these 15 years later.

In other words, if the efforts had run in parallel, I would suspect (and all
we can do is suspect) that Chess programs of Master level would have been
developed before Shogi programs of equivalent level.

This is merely to point out the obvious fact that Shogi programs benefit
from years of Chess programming experience.

However, it may be that parallel efforts would have fed off each other to
the mutual benefit of all (just as a Chess player can improve by playing
Shogi).

Nick