News
Computer Chess Profiled In Wake Of Deep Blue Anniversary
- Details
- Written by Bill Feldman Bill Feldman
- Created: 03 November 2016 03 November 2016
As a former reporter and anchor in the NPR system, I've always liked National Public Radio (heard in Chicago on WBEZ, 91.5 FM, and around the state on other frequencies).
The outstanding "All Things Considered" show recently put together a piece as we approach the 20th anniversary of the Garry Kasparov match versus IBM's Deep Blue Computer.
Since that historic battle, computer algorithms have continued to get more efficient, and there is no doubt that even a modest open source "chess engine" running on a consumer model laptop can beat the best players in the world.
Yes, you need something stronger than a Celeron processor running Chessmaster 7000 to do the job, but is it any wonder that certain tournament organizers have participants swiped with electronics-detecting wands when high prize funds are at stake?
Something that I didn't appreciate until I heard (and then read) the piece, was how much more likely the silicon players are to retreat than are flesh and blood competitors.
Without emotion and ego, the computer does what it thinks is best regardless of how cool it make them seem.
If anybody has any thoughts after hearing (or reading) this piece, please share them with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..