Some exciting news for Chess

[some1x]

The stage is finally set for a reunified world champion to emerge. Soon, Kasparov (#1 in fide elo rating) will play Kasimdzhanov (who had a very, very impressive performance in the FIDE knockout championship tournament in the last couple of weeks, defeating all the top four seeds in the tourmanet- Ivanchuck, Grischuck, Topalov, and Adams!). Also, Leko (#5) and Kramnik (#3) will play a match. The winners of Kasimdzhanov-Kasparov and Leko-Kramnik will face each other to determine the world champion.

Will Kasim carry on his momentum against Kasparov (who is considered to be the greatest chess player ever, as his epic struggles with Karpov will attest)? Will Kasparov shake off his rust, and start focusing more on chess? Will we see a Kasparov-Kramnik rematch?

We're in for some great chess

 

[ampgalore]

Kasparov is the greatest chess player ever?

 

[raif]

didn't he get beat by deep blue?

 

[some1x]

He defeated deep blue in their first match, but lost in the rematch. The match conditions were not very favorable for Kasparov for many reasons (among them, Kasparov was not allowed to follow the development of Deep Blue, whereas the Deep Blue team can easily study Kasparov's games.)

As for whether he is the greatest player ever, it is pointless to speculate whether he would defeat Fisher or Capablanca, etc. Consider his record between the mid 80's up to the late 90's (5 epic matches against Karpov, one against Anand, Short, etc). His tournament wins are even more impressive- his won ~9 Linares supertournaments, and countless others ... Corus, Wijk ann Zee, against very strong competition.

 

[Jester]

Quote:

Originally Posted by some1x He defeated deep blue in their first match, but lost in the rematch. The match conditions were not very favorable for Kasparov for many reasons (among them, Kasparov was not allowed to follow the development of Deep Blue, whereas the Deep Blue team can easily study Kasparov's games.) As for whether he is the greatest player ever, it is pointless to speculate whether he would defeat Fisher or Capablanca, etc. Consider his record between the mid 80's up to the late 90's (5 epic matches against Karpov, one against Anand, Short, etc). His tournament wins are even more impressive- his won ~9 Linares supertournaments, and countless others ... Corus, Wijk ann Zee, against very strong competition.

That is so true regarding the Deep Blue matches. The DB team built a huge database of Kasparov's games and because of that had the advantage. If Kasparov was allowed to study the development of DB it would have been no contest.

I really liked the matches against Anand. They were unbeliveable. As far as him being the best, no doubt you could make a case for it.

 

[daycart1]

Kasparov is clearly the greatest over-the-board chessplayer of all time. The number of rated games against the strongest competition is amazing.

One might try to make a case that some others had more chess genius of specific kinds: perhaps Alekhin's blindfold playing, Fischer's memory, Capablanca's problem solving, etc..

I don't like the knockout tournament system, though it is certainly better than nothing. This Kazimdzhadov guy got in by winning some lightning chess. The best system was the one that combined Zonal and Interzonal tournaments with substantial candidates' matches---those were the good old days!

 

[ampgalore]

Artificial intelligence will eventually surpass human intelligence, it is just a matter of time. Kasporav is amazing since he was able to face off one of the most powerful computers ever built. I am sure I would have lost that game in the first minute

 

[Jahn]

the scary thing is when kasparov said that big blue had some very human-like moves, so much so that they startled kasparov and threw off his concentration a bit. like when big blue purposefully exposed itself to a disadvantage to rush for a draw when it was not apparent at the time that it was anyone's game...it was like big blue was intentionally trying to rattle kasparov in a draw game to get an upper hand and keep him second guessing in the final round, which of course couldn't be true...or could it...

 

[lan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampgalore I am sure I would have lost that game in the first minute

Just don't move anything

 

[some1x]

Daycart1:
Most gms and chess fans would agree that the candidates system is better than the ko-system. Right now, public interest and sponsorship are both low, and we need a true champion asap . I think the four main players all deserve their spot:
1) Kramnik for being the only person to beat Kasparov in a match (though I don't think it will happen if the rematch happens). Give Kramnik credit for his excellent preparation for that match.
2) Leko for winning the Dortmund (iirc), the 'candidates' of that tournament knew the winner would play Kramnik. Leko's is in very good form.
3) Kasparov for being #1 in on the list for over 15 years. He has shown some signs of rust in Linares 2004, and he is trying to get involved in Russian politics (why, why!!??). If Kasparov plays to his true potential, I know he will win.
4) You must also give some credit to Kasim (luck was on his side many times) for winning the recent ko championship. Up to the semi-finals Topalov's record is an astounding 9.5/10! Kasim managed to hold Topalov to 4 draws and win on rapids (likely because Topalov did not practice rapids in the previous rounds). His match against Adams is equally thrilling. Adams had two good chances to put away the match, Kasim had a couple of good chances as well.

Kasim will need to change his style against Kasparov. He can't count on having 4 decisive games against Kasparov's legendary preparation. If you look at Kasparov's matches against human opponents, you find that Kasparov seems to slowly grasp their styles, and uses them to prepare some devestating novelties.


Of course, the biggest name missing is the current #2, Anand. He declined to play in the fide ko on principle. Anand will have to wait until the dust settles before he can make a bid for the championship again.

 

[ampgalore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lan Just don't move anything

That's very wise

I'll take at least an hour before I make my first move. At least then I can say I was able to challenge the most powerful computer for an ENTIRE HOUR

 

[kunwar]

where is Vishwanathan Anand.
Isn't he 2nd on the current FIDE rankings.
I reckon givern another chance, he would whoop Kasparov all over the park, plus his record against computers is even more impressive.
He beat Deep Junior which is Deep Blue's younger brother.
Has beaten all the top programs time and again.

Apparently the Deep Blue team refused a match against him, don't know why, Maybe they were scared??

 

[raif]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ampgalore Artificial intelligence will eventually surpass human intelligence, it is just a matter of time. Kasporav is amazing since he was able to face off one of the most powerful computers ever built. I am sure I would have lost that game in the first minute

The medium setting on any chess program whoops my butt in minutes. If Deep Blue has any sort of intelligence, artificial or not, it would be insulted at the notion of playing me.

 

[some1x]

Anand? See post above. Anand is very, very strong, but his play against Kasparov is not so good: -26 =9 +8 (thats 26 wins in Kasparov's favor)

(as a side note, Anand's record against other top players are better, for example, +14 =40 -10 against Kramnik)

During their first match, Anand started very strong, but was devestated by the Kasparov's novelty in Ruy Lopez (critical game of that match).

 

[LTUCCI1924]

HI: I hope it is on TV. I really like to watch chess matches