Explain alpha cutoff and beta cutoff.

Alpha cutoff:

·         It may be found that, in the current branch, we would be able to achieve a state which has a higher value for us that one of the opponent can hold us to, in another branch.

 ·         The current branch can be identified as one that the opponent will certainly not move the game. So, search in this branch can be safely terminated.

     ·         This is called alpha cutoff.

Beta cutoff:

     ·         It is the reverse of alpha cutoff.

    ·         It may be found that, in the current branch, the opponent can achieve a state with a lower value for us, than one achievable in another branch.

·         So, the current branch is one that we will certainly not move the game. Hence, search of this branch can be safely terminated.

    ·         This is called beta cutoff.