Author: Chris Kantack
Date: 19:00:43 10/17/02
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On October 17, 2002 at 12:30:38, Geo Disher wrote: >I usually am rooting for the underdog computer to win to show that they are as >strong as some of the best chess players in the world. I have now switched >sides now that the computer appears to be playing at a level close to the number >1 or 2 player in the world. I fear that there will be little interest in man vs >machine events if Kramnik and Kasparov loose. Let me make it clear that I don’t >think that they will loose but Kramnik clearly runs that risk (unless he is >putting on a show) and the worst-case scenario to me is if they both end up >loosing. I think it would be clear to most people that computers are superior >to us at chess if this were to happen and the press and money would dry up for >this type of event. So go Kramnik! > >On a side note I am happy that the “are computers grandmaster strength” debats >are over… aren’t they? Yes. Computers are grandmaster strength now. That debate (in my own mind) has been over for some time. Part of me feels that Kramnik is putting on a show. Despite the strength of computers, I find it hard to believe that he couldn't have gone 8-0 on this match. He's had the program and hardware for over a year now. Maybe he couldn't get 8 wins, but I'm surprised he hasn't already won the match at this point. It makes economic sense for Kramnik to keep the match close. Clearly if he would win by a large margin, there would not be any immediate interest in another match. Also, future matches would most likely have far less favorable terms for him. Now, even if he wins, he'll likely get as good as terms as he had in this match. Indeed, if Kramnik were to lose, it would not be good for chess. Gary's lost in 1997 to Deep Blue was disasterous in many countries as the money dried up for many chess programs...because it was felt that "chess was solved". So, yes. I do want Kramnik to win (if he's playing honestly). However, if it's all a show, then I wouldn't mind seeing him stumble and lose the whole match. Chris http://home.earthlink.net/~kantack/lcdchess/home.htm
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