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Number of Legal 18x18 Go Positions Computed; 19x19 On the Horizon

johntromp writes It took about 50,000 CPU hours and 4PB of disk IO, but now we know the exact number of legal 18x18 Go positions. Seeking computing power for the ultimate 19x19 count. And it's not a heat-death-of-the-universe kind of question, either, they say: "Thanks to the Chinese Remainder Theorem, the work of computing L(19,19) can be split up into 9 jobs that each compute 64 bits of the 566-bit result. Allowing for some redundancy, we need from 10 to 13 servers, each with at least 8 cores, 512GB RAM, and ample disk space (10-15TB), running for about 5-9 months."

7 of 186 comments (clear)

  1. Re:I know it is a bit late in life... by MichaelMacDonald · · Score: 4, Funny

    My problem isn't seeing ahead by quite a few moves. I, actually, am quite skilled at that, I can look well ahead of the current turn, figure out what the best possible strategy would be in my current situation, and do it fairly quickly. My issue is a bit different. It seems that the game itself is, actually, extremely boring, and when I start thinking about something more interesting - like porn, or popcorn - I manage to completely forget all those moves I foresaw so brilliantly, and make the absolute worst possible move I could have made instead. Then the game ends quicker, and I can go make some popcorn and watch porn. Which isn't so bad, really, in the end.

  2. Re:I know it is a bit late in life... by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 5, Funny

    Having played both nothing transfers. The strategy level is different. Go is about unit formations and patterns. Chess is about unit tactics.

    I can play both at an intermediate level, and I agree with this. The mentality is very different. If you are starting as an adult, you are very unlikely to ever be a master, but you can easily learn the game well enough to have fun. Go has a handicapping system that allows for competitive games between people with a wide skill gap. Besides, Go tournaments, like chess tournaments, and model railroading conventions, are a great place to meet chicks.

  3. Re:I know it is a bit late in life... by Garridan · · Score: 3, Funny

    Damn, if only I had mod points. I'm so happy to be aware of your curiosity surrounding GP's chess skills, interest in Go, and metal capacity. I was wondering if anybody else had been wondering these things about GP, but had been afraid to ask if I was the only one. Your post has given me validation, and I now have a reason to live to see tomorrow. What a wonderful and supportive community we have here. Keep up the good work, anonymous champion!

  4. Re:Number of legal positions by JanneM · · Score: 5, Funny

    Here is the number of legal positions:
    6697231142888292128927 401888417065435099377 8064017873281031833769694562442854721810521 43260127743713971848488909701 11836283470468812827907149926502 347633

    Why they chose to present it like that, instead of scientific notation, I'll never know but there it is.

    I'm not quite clear how 6.697231142888292128 927401888417065435 099377806401787328 103183376969456244 285472181052143260 127743713971848488 909701118362834704 688128279071499265 02347633e151 is much of an improvement, to be honest.

    --
    Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
  5. Re:Number of legal positions by JanneM · · Score: 4, Funny

    Because now I know it's 151 digits. Had no idea before.

    How can you know I didn't just guess?

    --
    Trust the Computer. The Computer is your friend.
  6. Just found that out today by SuperKendall · · Score: 3, Funny

    My Computer:
    "For no reason at all, would you like to play a game of Go today?" *casual indifference*

    Me:
    "Sure, 20x20 board?" *smiles*

    Computer:
    "Never mind" *sulks*

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
  7. Re:Number of legal positions by Tablizer · · Score: 4, Funny

    Damn! They guessed my pin number. I hate it when that happens.