Seeing the comments about how Alphago "thinks" reminded me of Kobayashi Koichi
Kobayashi's style is built around reducing the game into positions that can be analysed and fully read out. Thus, instead of opting for large moyo or chaotic fighting games, he tries to simplify positions before they become too complicated. Once he reduces the opponent's options to bring unknowns into the game, he's able to use his strong analytic ability to slowly shut-out the opponent. Piece-by-piece the opponent finds him- or herself systematically pushed into an inevitable outcome. It's often the case that in games against Kobayashi the outcome has been decided long before the endgame even starts. As such, Kobayashi developed a masterful ability to 'win won games' -- once you were behind it was almost impossible to catch up.[7]
Through hard study Kobayashi acquired profound reading and positional analysis abilities that enabled him to size up the overall position and determine its requirements regardless of traditional theories or personal dogma. This is paralleled by an intuitive pragmatism, which enabled him to find the most effective means for simplifying complicated positions in his favor.[8] As as result, he's often able to find surprising compromises and moves that other professionals often overlook, such as those which might appear inferior or crude.
For example, on move 85 of the 16th Kisei title match, game four, TV commentator O Meien 8d firmly suggested that no matter what happened Black would not play 85 in the game, because professionals hate passive defending moves. Kobayashi then played 85. A Yomiuri reporting was then reminded of an interview two years earlier where Kobayashi said, 'To win a best-of-seven you can't just rely on fighting spirit or your feelings. No matter how others criticize me, I always aim to play the move with the best chance of winning.' Black 85 looked very painful, but it was one of those moves.[9]
Several Chinese pros have made the comment that AlphaGo plays like Lee Changho (in his heydays) during the middle game, except AlphaGo plays even better.
