Where to Download KataGo and Its Trained Networks
KataGo's engine downloads and its trained neural networks are hosted in two different places, and you generally need both. The engine (the program that plays and analyzes) comes from the official KataGo GitHub releases, while the trained networks come from the networks page on katagotraining.org. The site's "Downloading KataGo" section points to the engine, and the networks page lists the current models, including recent additions such as kata1-zhizi-b40c768nbt-fdx6c and kata1-zhizi-b28c512nbt-muonfd2.
Engine vs. network: what you actually need
KataGo separates the search/analysis code from the neural net weights. A fresh install needs both:
- Engine — the KataGo binary or build for your platform, obtained from the KataGo GitHub releases.
- Network — the
.bin.gz(or equivalent) weights file, obtained from the networks page on this site.
If you already have an engine but want a stronger or newer net, you only need to replace the network file and point your config at it.
Downloading the engine
The site's "Downloading KataGo" section links to the official KataGo GitHub repository, where releases are published. Use the release page for your platform and follow the accompanying instructions for your interface (for example, a GTP engine used by a GUI, or the analysis engine).
One practical constraint from the run's own updates: support for versions prior to v1.18.0 has been retired (update dated 2026-09-15). If you intend to contribute games to the distributed training run, you should be on v1.18.0 or later. Older versions may still run locally, but they are no longer accepted for contribution.
Downloading trained networks
Networks live on the networks page of katagotraining.org. This is where the run publishes the models it is currently using and testing. Recent entries mentioned in the site updates include:
| Network | Notes |
|---|---|
kata1-zhizi-b40c768nbt-fdx6c |
Described as a "very strong large model," contributed by hzyhhzy and ZhiziGo, and used for self-play |
kata1-zhizi-b28c512nbt-muonfd2 |
Uploaded for rating games |
The run has also moved to transformer models, which the site describes as stronger and more efficient than prior architectures. The first transformers were uploaded to the run after v1.18.x, and self-play switched to them. If you want the current-generation nets, look for the transformer-based entries rather than the older convolutional ones.
Archives and extra networks
Beyond the live networks page, the site references:
- Extra Nets and Archives — for older or supplementary networks.
- Releases — the GitHub release pages for engine builds.
- GitHub (KataGo) and GitHub (Server) — the engine repository and the distributed-training server repository.
A data archive site is also referenced, where training data (including data used by contributed models) is mirrored.
Choosing what to download
- Just want to play or analyze locally: take the latest engine release for your platform and the strongest current network from the networks page. Transformer nets are the current direction.
- Want to contribute games to the distributed run: you must be on v1.18.0 or later, since earlier versions are no longer supported for contribution. See the "How to Contribute" section on the site for the setup steps.
- Want a specific historical net: check the Archives or Extra Nets rather than the main networks list.
The site does not state pricing or login requirements for these downloads in the material available, so treat access terms as something to confirm on the linked pages themselves rather than assuming they are unrestricted.