thecheat posted on Aug 29 2004 at 04:02 AM said:
i would fourth it if it had a tutorial mode
Problem with a tutorial for Go is that the game is very very simple in terms of rules, but impossibly complex in terms of strategy. Chess computers are able to rival the best the human race has to offer. The best Go programs out there put up a 7K fight...
The rank system goes 30K --> 1K, then 1D --> 12D, where the 30K is the weakest and 12D is the strongest.
So a tutorial that told you roughly how to capture, how to secure territories and such, would be easily possible. A tutorial that actually got you remotely good at the game would be tougher. And a tutored game, where the program could point out what moves were the best choices for you and why would be even harder.
However, it'd be nice if, if a program gets made, the author could include an ability to open .SGF files, which would open up the ability to replay Go Teaching Ldder commented games on the GP. Which is probably about as good as you'll get...
Do have a look at the one at
http://www.playgo.to/ (there's an english version if you look). The tutorial there tells you how to play pretty well. But having gone through that you will lose against most people or machines for a long while yet.