Month: November 2009

In Too Deep

Posted by – November 6, 2009

Deep blue was the name given to a chess playing computer designed in 1997 by IBM. The sole purpose of this computer was to compete against and defeat World champion chess player Garry Kasparov. The computer was successful in its challenge but was shrouded in controversy and has remained as a great topic for debate amongst chess enthusiast right up to this very day.

Testing, Testing.

In the beginning the project was known as “Chip Test” at Carnegie Mellon University by Feng-hsiung Hsu and was then replaced by “Deep Thought”. After graduation Feng-hsiung along with two other members who had also been working on the “Deep thought” project were approached and hired by IBM Research to continue working on a chess playing machine that was capable of defeating the world champion. In 1989 both Feng-hsiung Hsu and Murray Campbell joined IBM followed a month later by Thomas Anantharaman. Eventually Thomas Anantharaman left IBM to go and join Wall Street and a new member Arthur Joseph Hoane took Anantharamans place in the team to perform the programming needs. In 1990 an IMB research employee by the name of Jerry Brody was added to the team. Deep Thought played against world champion Garry Kasparov in 1989 and was subsequently defeated by the champion. A contest was then held to find a new name for the machine and it was then dubbed “Deep Blue”. This new name was simply an altered version of IBM’s nickname which was Big Blue. A chess grandmaster by the name of Joel Benjamin would eventually be hired by IBM Research to assist with the computers programming and skills for its matches against Kasparov.

Game On!

In 1996 on the 10th of February, Deep Blue was finally ready to face the ultimate test. The computer was successful and became the very first machine to win a chess game against any reigning world champion whilst under the regular time controls. Garry Kasparov, the great world champion chess player, had been beaten by a machine. In the subsequent games though the world champion won three games and the other two were draws. The world champion had taken the victory and it was now time for some excessive upgrading to take place on the machine. In May 1997, Garry Kasparov again played the machine, this time the world champion had lost. Deep Blue had become the first computerised system to be victorious against a reigning world champion in a match whilst under the standard chess tournament time restrictions and controls. The computer was capable of evaluating around 200 million positions every second; it was a very powerful opponent indeed.

The controversy.

It wasn’t long after the defeat before the controversy theories began. Garry Kasparov stated that at some time frames throughout the game he felt as though the machine was making moves which consisted of a deep intelligence and creativity which bought him to the conclusion that during the second game the rules were violated and human chess players had intervened in the game. IBM denied all allegations of cheating and stated that the only time human intervention occurred was in between games. The rules allowed the machines developers to make modifications to the programming between games. It was this allowance that allowed the machine to avoid a trap in the very last game that it had already fallen for twice. IBM refused to provide printouts of the log files for the machine although they were apparently released online later. There are many stories surrounding the machines win, even today many people feel that playing chess online may yield the same results, this is not usually the case though. One thing is for certain, it was a monumental game that will never be forgotten.

Online Chess Puzzles Help in Many Positive Ways

Posted by – November 1, 2009

Many studies around the world proved that playing chess games and solving chess puzzles are effective tools to increase a person’s mental capability, self discipline and perception. In coherence with this fact, the game also teaches real life skills like problem solving and dealing with different situations. At first time you take a look with chess games, you can say that this is just a game, a simple board game. But then, as you learn how to play it, you can really appreciate the thrills and benefits that it brings. Likewise, you can therefore realize that chess is more than just a game.

Children are the prime beneficiaries of chess games. As we all know kids are playful during their age. Besides, they’re just starting to develop their attitude and skills. Even if they’re too young, you can encourage them to play chess and solve chess puzzles. Chess games increases IQ (Intelligence Quotient) as well as help kids to become more proficient in solving problems. The same as chess puzzles, as these teach kids how to think logically and efficiently.

In the process of puzzle solving, they will learn advanced tactics that can be use in the game. They will also be encouraged to read books, which is the most pleasing trait that a kid must have. Everyone hates math as this subject is loaded with formulas, equations and many other stuffs which are hard to understand. But then, as you engage your kids in solving puzzles, they will able to think mathematically and soon realize that computing numbers is just an easy thing to do. No doubt about, chess grandmasters are also successful in business like the famous player Gary Kasparov.

Chess puzzles also enhance their game skills by means of practice and experience. In today’s world, there are online chess puzzles which provide the fastest way of teaching your kids as well as the most exciting tool to learn more about chess games. There are 2 options to choose from, it’s either to play chess against the computer or a multiplayer game. Since computers are in everyone’s house, it is possible to use different software packages.

It doesn’t matter what skill level you have as chess puzzles can benefit both novice and advanced players. Even parents are starting to realize the real worth of such game. Just like in real life, every chess piece is important and has a vital role to play in the game. Only then, there are pieces that have a lesser value and not so important in winning. As parents, we have to teach kids regarding different situations in the game. In the end, they will able to realize that a single problem can come up with more solutions.

To end it up, chess is a challenging game for many. If it’s good for other people, then it’s also good for your kids. Today, parents are little by little engaging their kids in such game. There are also schools and other educational institutions that include chess games in their curriculum. For the upcoming years to come, many children will no longer struggle in their careers, and chess would be their instrument in achieving their dreams.