From: steve evans <trout <at> NETSPACE <dot> NET <dot> AU>
Date: 21 jan 2003
Subject: Re: Shogi lessons

15 kyu is about right for Shogi Variants. The program doesn't do much
more than a 1 ply search even at its highest ("less weak") setting. And
I should know, I wrote it. :-)  The computer opponent in the program is
really only designed for those learning the game, and particularly the
variants.

There are some much stronger free shogi programs available, however,
such as Reijer Grimbergen's SPEAR:

http://www.fu.is.saga-u.ac.jp/~grimberg/SHOGI/SPEAR/spear.html

...and Pauli Misikangas's Shocky:

http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/pmturune/Shocky_e.html

Both of these programs have performed creditably in recent annual
Computer Shogi competitions.

Cheers,

Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: The Shogi Discussion List [mailto:SHOGI-L <at> TECHUNIX <dot> TECHNION <dot> AC <dot> IL]
On Behalf Of 'Gary Whelan'
Sent: Tuesday, 21 January 2003 7:36 AM
To: SHOGI-L <at> TECHUNIX <dot> TECHNION <dot> AC <dot> IL
Subject: Re: Shogi lessons


Do you think the Shogi Variants program is that
strong?  I think beginner or 15k would be more
accurate.  I can trounce it easily and my
strength is only about middle kyu.  It does have
another useful feature though, namely the ability
to play handicap games.  These days I use it only
for playing the white side of a 6-piece or 8-
piece game.

And, of course, it's great for learning the
variants.