Author: Bob Durrett
Date: 08:23:26 01/06/03
Occasionally, there is a bulletin expressing a peculiar anti-computer sentiment. The sentiment is that use of chess engines during analysis stifles human creativity. The basic idea is that the human cannot resist the temptation to accept the chess engine's suggestions without question. I have been using my chess software [Fritz & CB] for analysis for years now. I have felt that temptation often, and it is strong. It is reinforced by the fact that most of my original ideas are "shot down without mercy" by the chess engine in seconds! But, if used properly, the chess engine's suggestions can provide the context and structure for a discussion, without dictating the final answer. The discussion is between the chess engine and the human. The chess engine says, "I think this." The human says, "No, I like that better." Then the chess engine says, "If you try that, this is what I think would happen." And, the conversation goes on and on. The conversation never gets "off-topic." Humans are capable of intelligent conversations, even if the conversations are with a non-human chess engine. Smarter people can carry on smarter conversations. Dumber people carry on dumber conversations. But the conversation will always be productive if the human "stays the course." If the human comes up with a good idea, as a product of the human's creativity, then the chess engine will eventually have to acknowledge that the human's idea is good. But the chess engine will not give up easily! It takes some serious effort on the human's part to show the chess engine the error of its ways. Having a worthy analysis partner should facilitate and stimulate human creativity, not stifle it. I see the chess engine, if properly used, as being a boon to serious chess enthusiasts. It is a very tough debating partner. More importantly, as noted above, the chess engine's suggested lines provide context and structure to the discussion. Chess engines cannot be intimidated, so the conversations will be always right to the point. A GM ought to be able to have fascinating "discussions" with any good chess engine. A lesser mortal, like me, may tend to be intimidated by the chess engine, but it doesn't have to be that way. Only those who are very easily intimidated and overly impatient will have a problem with the use of chess engines. It's a matter of human maturity. The chess engine can teach this maturity, too. Bob D.
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