Berliner: Backgammon computer program beats world champion

Metadata

• Title: Backgammon computer program beats world champion

• Authors: Berliner, H.

• Publication Year: 1980

• Journal: Artificial Intelligence

• Full text available via direct download in 11.106

Abstract

On July I5, 1979, a backgammon computer program beat the World Backgammon Champion in a match to 7points. This is the.first time a world champion’in a recognized intellectualactivity has been defeated by a man-made entity. This paper examines the scientific issues involved in constructing the program, an analysis of its performance, and the scientific significance ofthe win. We also present our SNA.C method ofconstructing evaluation functions.