Primal-Dual Coordinate Descent for Nonconvex-Nonconcave Saddle Point Problems Under the Weak MVI Assumption

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Main Authors: Walwil, Iyad, Fercoq, Olivier
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
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author Walwil, Iyad
Fercoq, Olivier
author_facet Walwil, Iyad
Fercoq, Olivier
contents We introduce two novel primal-dual algorithms for addressing nonconvex, nonconcave, and nonsmooth saddle point problems characterized by the weak Minty Variational Inequality (MVI). The first algorithm, Nonconvex-Nonconcave Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (NC-PDHG), extends the well-known Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (PDHG) method to this challenging problem class. The second algorithm, Nonconvex-Nonconcave Stochastic Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (NC-SPDHG), incorporates a randomly extrapolated primal-dual coordinate descent approach, extending the Stochastic Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (SPDHG) algorithm. To our knowledge, designing a coordinate-based algorithm to solve nonconvex-nonconcave saddle point problems is unprecedented, and proving its convergence posed significant difficulties. This challenge motivated us to utilize PEPit, a Python-based tool for computer-assisted worst-case analysis of first-order optimization methods. By integrating PEPit with automated Lyapunov function techniques, we successfully derived the NC-SPDHG algorithm. Both methods are effective under a mild condition on the weak MVI parameter, achieving convergence with constant step sizes that adapt to the structure of the problem. Numerical experiments on logistic regression with squared loss and perceptron-regression problems validate our theoretical findings and show their efficiency compared to existing state-of-the-art algorithms, where linear convergence is observed. Additionally, we conduct a convex-concave least-squares experiment to show that NC-SPDHG performs competitively with SAGA, a leading algorithm in the smooth convex setting.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_15597
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Primal-Dual Coordinate Descent for Nonconvex-Nonconcave Saddle Point Problems Under the Weak MVI Assumption
Walwil, Iyad
Fercoq, Olivier
Optimization and Control
90C26, 68W20, 68V05, 65K15
We introduce two novel primal-dual algorithms for addressing nonconvex, nonconcave, and nonsmooth saddle point problems characterized by the weak Minty Variational Inequality (MVI). The first algorithm, Nonconvex-Nonconcave Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (NC-PDHG), extends the well-known Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (PDHG) method to this challenging problem class. The second algorithm, Nonconvex-Nonconcave Stochastic Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (NC-SPDHG), incorporates a randomly extrapolated primal-dual coordinate descent approach, extending the Stochastic Primal-Dual Hybrid Gradient (SPDHG) algorithm. To our knowledge, designing a coordinate-based algorithm to solve nonconvex-nonconcave saddle point problems is unprecedented, and proving its convergence posed significant difficulties. This challenge motivated us to utilize PEPit, a Python-based tool for computer-assisted worst-case analysis of first-order optimization methods. By integrating PEPit with automated Lyapunov function techniques, we successfully derived the NC-SPDHG algorithm. Both methods are effective under a mild condition on the weak MVI parameter, achieving convergence with constant step sizes that adapt to the structure of the problem. Numerical experiments on logistic regression with squared loss and perceptron-regression problems validate our theoretical findings and show their efficiency compared to existing state-of-the-art algorithms, where linear convergence is observed. Additionally, we conduct a convex-concave least-squares experiment to show that NC-SPDHG performs competitively with SAGA, a leading algorithm in the smooth convex setting.
title Primal-Dual Coordinate Descent for Nonconvex-Nonconcave Saddle Point Problems Under the Weak MVI Assumption
topic Optimization and Control
90C26, 68W20, 68V05, 65K15
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.15597