Genetic Algorithms and Programming

Today I was reading an article on GP-EndChess: Using Genetic Programming to Evolve Chess Endgame Players by Ami Hauptman and Moshe Sipper. The article discusses how the authors used Genetic Programming to develop chess strategies in various type chess endgames (KQRKQR, KRRKRR, and KRKR). The authors consulted with chess masters, then tested their work against CRAFTY. Because of the promising results of the research, the authors aimed three paths for future activity:

• improve the evolved programs' performance against the above and other endgames,
• branch out beyond endgames,
• analyze the evolved cognition as to its resemblance and difference from human cognition.

The loftiest goal is using this effort to branch out beyond endgames. Since I am starting new I would start with Quinlan's work, then perhaps look at Ken Thompson's chess endgame effort, and finally attempt to duplicate this articles effort.

Also, I was exploring John Koza's web site on Genetic Programming. There is some very interesting information; for example, I downloaded and read the power point presentation on Genetic Programming and Genetic Algorithms.

My biggest complaint is the cost of obtaining scientific articles. Although I understand that publishers need a return on their investment in publishing, I find it excessive to download a PDF document for $25. Publishers should make resonable to obtain such articles. For now, I will be using my local University to access and obtains articles of interest.

REFERENCES

A. Hauptman and M. Sipper. GP-endchess: Using genetic programming to evolve chess endgame players. In M. Keijzer, et al., editors, Proceedings of the 8th European Conference on Genetic Programming, volume 3447 of Lecture Notes in Computer Science, pages 120–131, Lausanne, Switzerland, 30 March - 1 April 2005. Springer. ISBN 3-540-25436-6.

R. Poli, W. B. Langdon, and N. F. McPhee. A field guide to genetic programming. Published via http://lulu.com and freely available at http://www.gp-field-guide.org.uk, 2008. (With contributions by J. R. Koza).

Koza, J.R. Genetic Programming WebSites: http://www.genetic-programming.org and http://www.genetic-programming.com.