Re: XieXie Master -- a recommendation

On Mar 11, 11:12 am, mikeh...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
>
> 1. is it true the shogi community feels (as a general consensus) that
> programs (mated to big hardware) will achieve parity w/ the world's
> best within 5 yrs?

I have heard different predictions. In 2007 I heard 2 people say in 2
years that is 2009. 1 prediction from 2002 said that it would be 2010.
1 prediction from 2005 said 10 years, which is 2015. The programmers
think sooner, in 2 years. The players think later.

> 2. would u be shocked if in 10-yrs, the top shogi program will be able
> to successfully give the world's #1 a handicap of a lance?

I would be shocked if it happened under the current conditions. Quick
progress needs 2 things a universal shogi user interface and a shogi
programmer's forum. The interface helps programmers to start quickly.
It also lets 2 programs play 100s of games automatically to test
changes. The interface is new. I don't know of anybody using it. If
these things became popular it would create intense competition and in
10 years the computer would beat the #1 player. But I don't see these
things becoming popular so progress will be slow. My prediction is
2027. Also the games must be 9 hour normal champion****p games not the
faster 2 hour games.