Author: Brian Katz
Date: 06:06:09 10/28/02
In addition to my previous post Yes Computer Chess makes a huge difference in modern day chess as opposed to Master Chess of the past. What I see and I failed to mention before as well is.......... With the use of internet chess and Computer Programs such as Fritz or Chessmaster 5000 and up (to me the Chessmaster line is more popular in that it is sold in Stationary Stores such as Staples and Office Max, (just to name a few)along side other programs that the everyday person can purchase. Most people are unfamiliar with Fritz or Chessbase unless they are already chessplayers who are already aware. I don't believe that most people ever heard of Chessbase or Fritz. My point being that years ago, only a handful of players exhisted in comparison to the amount of players of today. I remember a day when I never heard of a chess club. I could only play my friends on my block or some kids in school. I am sure there were kids who could never get to a chess club unless their parents or some other grown up took them there. There was always the stereotype of the old man who plays chess. Not a young kid. Of course there were the exceptions, Fischer and Reshevsky as an example. There are others of course. In this present day, young kids who may never have been exposed to this game, have it at their fingertips with the PC. Now a child does not have to wait for that "next weeks" meeting at the chessclub. Or now a child who may never have been able to play against strong opposition, can now get that with a computer. Whether it be against a program or against someone else on the internet. With computers, there are so many more people exposed to this game, that just with the law of averages, you are bound to find more GOOD players then ever before. Just like in the case of Women players. Years ago there weren't many women players. The women who played weren't rated very high. Most of the high rated women in the US were in the 1800's (Elo that is) some were higher. Again, there were the exceptions. Diane Savereide, Rachel Crotto. Many mistakenly assumed that women weren't as good at chess as men. That was probably true then. Again with the law of averages, the more woment exposed to the game and the more that play, along with the reasons I mentioned pertaining to children before, the greater the chance of finding many Great women players. Judit Polgar, Susan Polgar, Zsusa Polgar, Irina Crush, Jennifer Shahade, Beatrice Marinelo, GM Genady Sagalchek's wife is rated in the 2200's or 2300's. There are other GM's whos wives are 2300+ and many others. Women are not inferior or ever were inferior in chess to men. Just now there are many more exposed to this game then ever before. Women who were intimidated by going to a chess club can now play and learn on the internet or with their chess program, get good and enter tournaments. So with some of these thoughts in mind, I have no doubt that the use of Computers makes a huge difference in Modern day playing strength. Comments welcome as always Brian Katz
This page took 0 seconds to execute
Last modified: Thu, 15 Apr 21 08:11:13 -0700
Current Computer Chess Club Forums at Talkchess. This site by Sean Mintz.