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Subject: Re: Kasparov, Botvinnik, and Computer Chess

Author: Bo Persson

Date: 11:36:56 02/02/03

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On February 02, 2003 at 09:01:28, Bob Durrett wrote:

>On February 02, 2003 at 01:18:05, Robert Hyatt wrote:
>
>>On February 01, 2003 at 17:59:12, Bob Durrett wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>What would happen if Kasparov were to follow Botvinnik's footsteps and become
>>>genuinely interested in improving computer chess?
>>>
>>>What if:
>>>
>>>(1)  Professor Hyatt and a team of the top chess engine programmers were to give
>>>Kasparov an intensive short course [24 hours per day for 6 months] in chess
>>>engine programming and Kasparov were to become addicted to chess engine design?
>>>
>>>(2)  Kasparov were to then become pro-active in trying to help the chess engine
>>>programmers to improve their chess engines?
>>>
>>>Generally, it has already been established here that relatively weak
>>>chessplayers can produce strong chess engines.  But what could Kasparov, in
>>>partnership with the likes of Hyatt, produce?
>>>
>>>Maybe the recent mistakes made by Fritz and Junior would not happen anymore.
>>>
>>>What do you think?
>>>
>>>Bob D.
>>
>>
>>It is an interesting question without a clear answer.  It might produce a
>>qualitative jump in computer chess.  It might produce very little.  Remember
>>that strong chess players have been involved in the past.  Levy (an IM) had
>>a chess program (working with another master at least).  Botvinnik was quite
>>a strong player and never produced a working program, as a counter-example,
>>even though he had a good feel for computers, computer chess, and AI in general.
>
>In general, your comment seems quite reasonable.  The comment about Botvinnik
>may not be fair, however, because Botvinnik was severely handicapped.  The state
>of the art in computers and chess software was very different in Botvinnik's day
>from that of today.  Also, the question postulated the "short course" which
>would not have been available to Botvinnik.  In today's world, Botvinnik might
>have been successful.

He set up a "research" institute for his chess program. That kept him
financially supported for about 25 years.

In today's world, that is *very* successful.

>Bob D.


Bo Persson
bop2@telia.com



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