Shodan Go Bet
The Shodan Go Bet is a bet between John Tromp and Darren Cook? made in 1997.
Darren posted in 2007 a question on the computer go mailinglist:
''At the recent FOST Cup I asked the participants two questions. When do you think a computer will be shodan level? and when do you think a computer will be able to beat any human player? Shodan level is 'international shodan', which is maybe 3 dan in Japan, 2 dan in America, 1-dan in Europe. ''
see prognosis? for the replies
John replied with:
"I (John Tromp) wonder if people would still make such optimistic estimates if they had to back it up with, say, a $1000 bet. I (dutch 1kyu) would happily bet that I won't be beaten in a 10 game match before the year 2011."
and Darren accepted under the following conditions:
" Yes, assuming these conditions:
- It can be anyones program - it does not have to be mine :-).
- It need not be the commercially available version (to prevent you learning
weaknesses).
- I can choose the year to play and don't have to wait until 2011."
And so the bet was on.
Latest news
30 december 2010: The match is over after 4 games it was 4-0 for John
The match to decide the bet will probably be held at the london open tournament in december 2010.
John is at the moment ( augustt 2010) an EGF 2 Dan (according to the European go Database
Links
Official website: http://dcook.org/gobet/
Other websites with info: