Following on from the deployment of PS-Random-Mover a few months ago, we have gone one step further by launching a new second bot PS-Greedy-Two-Move today! Whilst PS-Random-Mover is literally a random mover, and doesn't attempt to win each game, PS-Greedy-Two-Move is a full AI bot that can play all the games on PlayStrategy. For Draughts, Lines of Action and Oware this is the first time we have an AI available to play, and it complements the Stockfish options (play against computer) for the other game families.

PS-Greedy-Two-Move uses a greedy algorithm with weightings based on piece value, checks, piece movement and other factors varying between games to evaluate each possible move. The algorithm looks two moves deep, i.e. it picks the best move after considering its own moves and what the opponent could respond with. It will take your unprotected pieces!

Whilst testing, we have found that a two move greedy algorithm can play some games far better than others. We believe it to be relatively stronger at Oware, pretty decent at Lines of Action, but more exploitable in Chess like games. As the bot is attempting to win each game, it will be possible to play rated games against PS-Greedy-Two-Moves, we hope that the bot's ratings will stabilise over time and that we can all see how strong it is at the various games.

As there is a bit of computational power required to evaluate all the possible moves in a given game position this bot needs some thinking time and so the minimum time control it will accept is 3+2. To begin with the PS-Greedy-Two-Move will only play up to 4 concurrent games

Whilst PS-Random-Mover has a twin (PST-Rando) that plays in some tournaments, PS-Greedy-Two-Move also has a twin who will play in tournaments: PST-Greedy-Tom. With immediate effect PST-Greedy-Tom will take over duties from PST-Rando and will play games in Shield tournaments where there are less than 4 active players.

We are excited to have AI that can play all of our games and so we are setting you a challenge... The first user that can beat PS-Greedy-Two-Move at all of our different game families will receive a unique trophy on their profile! To complete this challenge you will need to win games at:

• Chess
• International Draughts
• Lines of Action
• Shogi
• Xiangqi
• Othello
• Oware

Once you have done this then please make a forum post with a link to the 7 games where you achieved this and we will review you claim! A couple of other important notes:

• Beating the bot on a timeout doesn't count! This needs to be a genuine win. The bot should be able to play within 3+2, we have found Shogi to be the most demanding game for the bot, so you may want to play with a longer time control for Shogi.
• As per our Bot FAQ, it is not ok to cheat against the bot, you risk being banned!