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Servers

Some Go servers encourage Go-playing programs, or "bots", to play on them. This has various advantages for the programmer:

• It provides source of game records against a variety of computer and human players.
• It can play many games against a rival which the programmer does not have direct access to, without human intervention.
• It generates publicity for the program, particularly if it is a good one. Details of the program, including how to obtain it, can be put in the bot's "info". This is in effect a free advertisement.

The costs to the programmer are these:

• A computer, and an internet connection, must be provided for the bot while it is running. If the programmer already has a 24-hour internet connection, and a computer which is not used at night, there may be no cost involved.
• The programmer will need to modify his program so as to allow it to act as a bot. This should not involve writing new code, but will involve taking some existing code that supports the protocol used by the server, and linking this in to the program.

Some servers where you will find bots playing are

BoardSpace, an NNGS clone built specifically for programs to play on.
The method of connecting to BoardSpace is discussed on the BoardSpace blog. This information may also be relevant.

IGS
Connection method probably as for to BoardSpace.
IGS has an active Computer Go Ladder.

KGS (Kiseido)
How to connect a bot to KGS.
KGS runs automated Computer Go Tournaments.
Estimates of the KGS ratings of the programs playing on KGS.

LGS (Legend)
Connection method as for to BoardSpace.

NNGS
Connection method as for to BoardSpace.

WING
Connection method as for to BoardSpace.