Skybird
09-13-09, 10:49 AM
We have had Chess. Abalone. Backgammon.
What is still missing is Checkers, Go and Othello.
On Checkers you will not hear anything from me, I do not like it. Go I am not so familiar with, and creating competitive software for it has proven to be incredibly difficult for the full size-board. Where Chess allows in a match the reaching of around 10^43 rule-conforming positions, the full-sized board of Go allows 4.6x10^170 ( yes: ^170). The programmer of the chess machine Deep Blue estimated that it takes a super computer capable of calculating at least 1 trillion positions per second in order to code a Go software that could beat the best human player, and that such hardware could exist in 8-10 years, if one puts some push into the effort.
But Othello is another classic board strategy game, and despite its simple game principle and few rules, it is mind-boggling. Beside Go, it is the most-played game in Japan. In Germany it is known as "Reversi".
Software playing Othello is not new, and since years it is surpassing the smartness of human master players. If you want, you can get a bloody beating every time you play.
One of the most popular programs is Zebra. It combines a comfortable interface with scalable playing strength and really good, solid 3D looks. It is free. You can attach special libraries, or not. It plays very tough already without these if you raise the level beyond level 1.
Get it here: http://radagast.se/othello/
If you like the occasional match of Othello, you won't miss this one, it's a top pick.
What is still missing is Checkers, Go and Othello.
On Checkers you will not hear anything from me, I do not like it. Go I am not so familiar with, and creating competitive software for it has proven to be incredibly difficult for the full size-board. Where Chess allows in a match the reaching of around 10^43 rule-conforming positions, the full-sized board of Go allows 4.6x10^170 ( yes: ^170). The programmer of the chess machine Deep Blue estimated that it takes a super computer capable of calculating at least 1 trillion positions per second in order to code a Go software that could beat the best human player, and that such hardware could exist in 8-10 years, if one puts some push into the effort.
But Othello is another classic board strategy game, and despite its simple game principle and few rules, it is mind-boggling. Beside Go, it is the most-played game in Japan. In Germany it is known as "Reversi".
Software playing Othello is not new, and since years it is surpassing the smartness of human master players. If you want, you can get a bloody beating every time you play.
One of the most popular programs is Zebra. It combines a comfortable interface with scalable playing strength and really good, solid 3D looks. It is free. You can attach special libraries, or not. It plays very tough already without these if you raise the level beyond level 1.
Get it here: http://radagast.se/othello/
If you like the occasional match of Othello, you won't miss this one, it's a top pick.