hello,
i am trying SmartGo for Win, and I have one question.

Typically, I would like to use SmartGo like this:
- i set up a position (usually position being discussed in some Go-training book)
- make a move
- let the program play opponent's move
- then I go back, play different move and again, I want to see the answer

The problem is, that mostly, the program chooses to play on the other half of the board - instaed of continuing "locally", in my "local position".

Is there some feature in the program to "temporarily limit the scope of the board"?
Something like "for now, think only in this and this local region!".

For example, I would highlight manually the "local area"... and program would make a move (a best move) inside this area.

Many thanks for your answer or any hint.

I like to analyse positions and pros and cons for various moves - for a while only localy - because this allows me to compare the program's decision with the textbooks and tutorials, which always use this "smaller playing region".

jan

I don't think anything like this exists. If you're looking at a life-and-death type problem you could try building it on a smaller board (like 9x9 or 13x13), but if you're trying to get the computer to play out a joseki I think you're out of luck.

Easy, just fill the rest of the board with stones. Then the program can't play anywhere else!

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be immersed

Assuming SmartGo uses a monte-carlo algorithm, this may result in it playing weird moves because one side or the other doesn't have a possibility of winning.

You're probably better off popping onto KGS and asking in the L19 room or Teaching Ladder or whatever for a stronger player to discuss the moves with you. Main advantage: bots don't answer you why this is the best move very well.

Skydyr: you can split the remaining half of the board evenly between White and Black. The bigger problem is that connecting to the edge can potentially give White/Black life in situations where that's not desirable. You'd have to change the surrounding color depending on the problem (and it just wouldn't work for joseki).

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Occupy Babel!

hello,
thanks to everybody for your answers.

regarding idea by Kirby
i tried it, it works often, but you have always big problems when filling the areas closest to the "go problem area". there will always be a strong interaction of "go problem"-stones and area two-three rows/columns around.
but sadly, i have no better idea...:(

thank you all
jan