A Knowledge-Based Approach of Connect-Four

A Shannon C-type strategy program, VICTOR, is written for Connect-Four, based on nine strategic rules. Each of these rules is proven to be correct, implying that conclusions made by VICTOR are correct. Using VICTOR, strategic rules where found which can be used by Black to at least draw the game, on each 7 × (2n) board, provided that White does not start at the middle column, as well as on any 6 × (2n) board. In combination with conspiracy-number search, search tables and depth-first search, VICTOR was able to show that White can win on the standard 7 × 6 board. Using a database of approximately half a million positions, VICTOR can play real time against opponents on the 7 × 6 board, always winning with White. † Published in 1988 as Report IR-163 by the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Also published in 1992 as Report CS 92-04 by the Faculty of General Sciences at the University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands.