With the advent of AlphaGo in 2016, computer programs can beat top professional players on the standard 19x19 board.
[1] Electronic databases can be used to study life and death situations, joseki, fuseki and games by a particular player.
Available programs give players pattern searching options, which allows a player to research positions by searching for high level games in which similar situations occur.
Such software will generally list common follow up moves that have been played by professionals, and give statistics on win–loss ratio in opening situations.
IGS and KGS were as of 2007[update] the most popular real-time go servers for the English speaking audience.