> I think the general outline is that you pre-test groups first to see if > a self-atari move is "interesting." It's worthy of additional > consideration if the stones it is touching have limited liberties and > the group you self-atari is relatively small. Then you could go on to > other tests which will consume even more time of course.
Here is an alternative, still in the line of gathering information from play-outs. Do not turn down self-ataris TOO agressively. When a self-atari occurs in play-out: - notice which (and when). - see if the self-ataried position is yours at the end (indeed it should for a nakade). If not: cancel the play-out (or start again from the moment you self-ataried) Add a -1 to self-atarying at this place. After say 10 (-1): strictly forbid this self-atari in future playouts. If yes: Remove all constraints on this self-atari (maybe give a bonus, or study within the tree). Notice that this would also deal with seki: self-atari for both sides getting completely forbidden at one point. Jonas _______________________________________________ computer-go mailing list computer-go@computer-go.org http://www.computer-go.org/mailman/listinfo/computer-go/