Congratulations to Kasparov

Kasparov just beat the x3D Fritz computer to even the match ...

for those who don't follow chess, we may well be nearing the last days where us mere mortals, or at least the best chess players of us mere mortals, are able to beat the best chess programs ...

there's one game left in the match ... whoever wins the game, wins the match ...

this is perhaps the "custer's last stand" of man vs. machine ... call it sentimentality, but i'm routing for the human ...

that program is mean

it knows all about Kasparov's past games -- but Kasparov knows nothing about the machine's past games (e.g. while it was being programmed & tested). This is a BIG effect; grandmasters spend weeks & weeks studying their opponent's past games before a big match. That Kasparov has been holding his own says that he'd probably trounce the machine if he had access to the machine's past games -- the same information he'd have with a human opponent.

Note also: nowadays all of these machine vs. human games start with the human losing -- while he figures out the machine. Once he does so, the human starts winning. If the human figures out the machine before halfway thru the match, he wins; otherwise he loses.

Basically, it's a contest between one grandmaster and the machine's numerous human programmers. With the programmers having the advantage of knowing the grandmaster's past games...

P.S: Another way of looking at it is that the human-programmed machine is a device that gives a team comprised in part of numerous human chess masters a chance to beat a single grandmaster.

I think a tie here is equivalent to Kasparov wins.

Another advantage for the computer: dosen't tire, and can't be intimidated (which gary loves to do). Plus they are making Gary play with funny glasses and a comp screen. I would play chess more, but I really cant stand playing w/ virtual reality.

And besides, Kasparov is past his prime, so he is doing quite well, hes probably figured out the computer.

Excellent. One game left- he's black, though. Going for a draw, I'm sure. GOOD job, Garry, and good luck! Win one for the humans!