CrazyStone DeepLearning

CrazyStone DeepLearning is a modern Go app that pairs deep neural networks with Monte Carlo Tree Search to create a natural, human-like opponent suited to players from absolute beginner to strong amateur. The app supports online matches and local play, an integrated Rating Mode that records your progress, and certification tests issued by the International AI Go Association (IAGA). It also reads and writes SGF game files for analysis and sharing, offers learning-friendly lower levels and a free top AI level, and includes tools designed to help you study, review, and improve.

Gameplay and controls

The core gameplay follows standard Go rules across 9x9, 13x13 and 19x19 boards, with support for handicap stones, adjustable komi, and multiple time settings including Byoyomi. Controls are optimized for touch devices: place stones with a tap, use pinch to zoom and drag to pan the board, and access move hints or instant undo from on-screen controls. Hints provide suggested moves without revealing full solutions, so you can learn from suggestions rather than rely on automatic answers. Timed matches use conventional Japanese-style Byoyomi; note that in timed games the app currently fixes computer difficulty to preserve consistent pacing during the clocked play.

AI levels and progression

CrazyStone DeepLearning provides a broad range of AI strength to match different learning stages. Seventeen adjustable levels span from roughly 15 kyu up to a free 2 dan top level available to all users. Players who want the strongest available engine can subscribe to Premium to unlock higher ranks that approach 5 dan strength. Progression is encouraged through Rating Mode, where the app records game outcomes and maintains a visible rating history so you can track improvement over weeks and months. New players can practice against low-strength AIs and gradually increase difficulty as tactics and reading improve.

Certification tests and competitive features

The app includes IAGA certification tests that let you attempt Dan and Kyu exams and receive certificate images when you pass. Certification is structured to assess a variety of game situations and decision-making skills rather than only raw winrate. Online matchmaking supports serious rated games so you can measure yourself against other players, and rating-related features help you understand trends in performance and identify areas for focused study.

Game records, review and offline analysis

Import and export of SGF files makes it easy to save your games, transfer them to desktop review tools, or share with teachers and study partners. The in-app reviewer lets you step through past games move by move, replay computer vs computer matches to observe different lines, and copy SGF content to the clipboard for quick sharing. Offline play versus AI is fully supported, so you can train and review without an internet connection and synchronize or share records later when convenient.

Visual style and accessibility

The interface focuses on clarity and minimal distraction: clean board graphics, clearly visible stones and move numbers, and adjustable piece and board sizes to suit different screen resolutions and eyesight needs. You can toggle coordinate labels and move timing displays, mute or enable sound effects, and choose contrasting color schemes to improve visibility. These options aim to make the app approachable for players with varying accessibility requirements while keeping the board the center of attention.

Replay value and challenge systems

Replay value comes from multiple practice modes, the variety of AI levels, and the ability to set handicap scenarios to work on specific weaknesses. Computer vs computer matches provide practice material and insight into how the engine evaluates positions, while Rating Mode and certification tests present ongoing challenges to encourage deliberate study. Regular play combined with review of saved SGF records helps build reading skills, joseki knowledge, and endgame technique over time.

Premium model, limitations and recent updates

CrazyStone DeepLearning offers an optional Premium subscription that removes ads, unlocks the highest AI strengths up to approximately 5d, and enables full access to all Rating Mode features and higher certification tests. The subscription renews automatically and must be canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the period to avoid renewal; active periods cannot be canceled retroactively. A known limitation is that Byoyomi timed games do not allow manual selection of the computer difficulty. Recent updates introduced online play, the IAGA certification test suite, and the Premium tier while refining the neural network and MCTS integration; the app continues to provide a free 2d top level for non-subscribers while offering stronger play to Premium members.