Using a GA and wisdom of artificial crowds to solve solitaire battleship puzzles

Aaron C. Port, University of Louisville
Roman V. Yampolskiy, University of Louisville

Abstract

A hybrid algorithm using a genetic algorithm and the Wisdom of Artificial Crowds effect was developed to solve instances of the solitaire battleship puzzle. A Java program was written to implement the algorithm and display graphical solutions. This program demonstrates both the flexibility of genetic algorithms and the use of wisdom of the crowd to refine solutions generated by other means. Some ways in which the algorithm could be improved are discussed, as well as the suitability of these techniques for solving solitaire battleship puzzles. © 2012 IEEE.