I agree about choosing (2) and area for the default, but maybe simple ko would be a better alternative as it looks easier to detetect and encourages new participants. Suicide it's an obvious no because a default is what's to be expected, but I'm personally for a yes, although that can extend the number of moves of a game by an enormous amount in programs that yet trying to learn the rules.
Joan
Anders Kierulf wrote:
You also point out a current gap in GTP, there is no way to set the
rules
for scoring, suicide, KO, etc.
So I offer two proposals to solution:
(1) Set the rule set for the game, like so: rule_set {chinese|Japanese|ing|new_zealand|igs|tromp_taylor}
(2) Or set each rule seperately, like so: scoring {territory|area, ko {simple|no_repeats}, suicide_allowed {yes|no}
We also need to define the default rule set or rules, when not
specified
by the Controller. We can work this out later.
So which is it to be? Or does someone have a better idea?
Phil
I favor (2), setting scoring, ko, and self-capture settings separately rather than specifying the rule-set. This makes it very clear exactly what the engine has to implement.
Defaults: To make sure that all programs can play each other, I think area scoring and no repeated board positions should be the defaults, and every program that wants to play in computer Go tournaments should implement that. The controller may request territory scoring or simple ko, but the program may not support it. I don't have a strong opinion on what the self-capture default should be, but as with scoring and ko, there should be one setting that all programs are expected to understand.
Anders Kierulf www.smartgo.com