Computer Beats Go Champion Again

Published on 2016/03/13 | Source

Lee Se-dol plays a baduk or go match against AlphaGo in downtown Seoul on Thursday. /Courtesy of Korea Baduk Association

Baduk or go champion Lee Se-dol was defeated again on Thursday by Google DeepMind's proto-artificial intelligence program AlphaGo.

Lee conceded defeat in the second round of a best-of-five match at the Four Seasons Hotel in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Playing white, Lee gave up after placing his 211th move. It was his second loss.

Lee is now in the underdog position and will have to win all three remaining matches to take the prize money of US$1 million.

Lee started off with a cautious move, spending more time than AlphaGo, and victory at one time seemed within reach. But AlphaGo planted a disabling blow in the latter stages of the match.

The two-year-old machine pushed the winner of 18 world championships to the wall with frightening precision.

YouTube and several Korean TV networks aired the match live, scoring impressive ratings for such a sedate game.

"AlphaGo played perfectly", Lee said. "I was too shocked to say anything now".

Things looked about even until the middle of the game, when AlphaGo seems to have gained confidence. Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis pledged to study the program's strengths and weakness to improve its game further.

The third match takes place on Saturday.