zoom_in Click to enlarge

AlphaZero

▲ ▼

description AlphaZero Overview

AlphaZero is a computer program developed by DeepMind that utilizes generalized reinforcement learning to master board games. Released in 2017, the system learned to play chess, shogi, and Go entirely through self-play, without relying on human-derived opening books or endgame databases. Within hours of training, it defeated highly specialized, world-champion-level engines in all three games, including Stockfish in chess. AlphaZero is primarily utilized by artificial intelligence researchers studying machine learning, search algorithms, and general game-playing systems.

help AlphaZero FAQ

Which games can AlphaZero play at a superhuman level?

Released in 2017 by DeepMind, AlphaZero mastered three complex board games: chess, shogi (Japanese chess), and Go. The system achieved superhuman performance in all three games after training entirely through self-play.

How does AlphaZero learn to play games without human input?

AlphaZero utilizes a generalized reinforcement learning algorithm, relying entirely on self-play to learn without any human-derived opening books or endgame tables. It evaluates millions of potential moves using deep neural networks to teach itself winning strategies from scratch.

How is AlphaZero different from traditional chess engines like Stockfish?

While traditional chess engines like Stockfish historically relied on brute-force calculation and human-tuned evaluation functions, AlphaZero relies on deep neural networks and intuition-based reinforcement learning. AlphaZero evaluates fewer positions but uses a deeper, more strategic understanding of the board.

Did DeepMind release AlphaZero for public use?

DeepMind did not release the full executable code for the original AlphaZero, keeping the proprietary system internal. However, the open-source community replicated its methods by creating Leela Chess Zero (LCZero), which competes directly at the top level of engine chess.

swap_horiz

Looking for AlphaZero alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward