Structurizing the Factors of Baduk Strength in the Endgame
Authors: On So-jin 
Published: July 2024

The purpose of this study is to analyze Baduk technique books, derive the factors of Baduk strength in the endgame, and structurize these factors. In order to achieve the purpose of the study, an analysis was conducted on the content presented in 12 Baduk technical books. We selected and conducted interviews with eight Baduk professional players from Korea, Japan and Taiwan. In order to demonstrate multiple factors, we presented situations that require the consideration of multiple factors. Through an analysis of game records, we examined how these factors are utilized in professional games. Additionally, by utilizing AI, we conducted an analysis to discern the differences between AI and professional players. The results of the study are as follows. First, through the analysis of content included in Baduk technical books, we derived 18 subfactors for consideration. Second, as a result of the expert interviews, although there are differences in the number of factors used by each expert, it was proved that all 18 subfactors were used. There were also differences in classifying types, and 18 subfactors could be classified into several endgame factors. As for the factors that experts consider the most important in the endgame, seven experts answered ‘positional judgment’ and one expert responded ‘size’, indicating that they regard positional judgment and size as important. Third, as a result of structuring the factors of Baduk strength in the endgame, it was found that the endgame ability consists of three common factors, ‘knowledge,’ ‘reading,’ ‘value judgment’, and five endgame factors, ‘size of endgame move’, ‘sente & gote’, ‘stability’, ‘surrounding position’, ‘positional judgment’ and 18 sub-considerations. Fourth, in the endgame, there are complex situations that require considering multiple endgame factors for successful resolution. In order to substantiate the evidence of the multifaceted situation of endgame factors, 26 examples of compound factors were provided. Fifth, as a result of analyzing the end stage of actual games, it was found that moves were related to the endgame factors and the subfactors, and the difference between the AI ​​Baduk program and the professional Baduk player is that the AI ​​seems to find better moves regarding the endgame factors 'size', 'sente & gote', 'stability', 'surrounding position', and 'positional judgment'. Implications were derived from the results obtained in this study. First, it was the first study to suggest that the factors at the end stage consist of three common factors, five endgame factors, and 18 subfactors, and showed that much more diverse factors play a role than the current technical factors at the endgame. Second, the endgame ability is a very important part for professional Baduk players. Only when you have the endgame ability, you can finish the game stably or turn the tables. The results obtained from this study will serve as the basis for developing an endgame training program for professional Baduk players in the future. Third, the method of AI ​​Baduk programs is still a field that requires a lot of research. The results of this study will be helpful in analyzing and supplementing the weaknesses and strengths of the endgame of AI Baduk programs.