For those of you who are regular readers you will recall the BRAVE NEW WORLD post on July 14 concerning poker playing programs. A decade ago I read and discussed with Gary Southerland an article about how 'puters would solve chess, but never solve the game of Go, as the difference was something like ten to the tenth power for chess, while for Go it is more like ten to the hundredth power. This is from the American Go E-Journal (www.usgo.org/AGJournal/) volume 9, #40: August 7, 2008:
COMPUTER BEATS PRO AT U.S. GO CONGRESS: In a historic achievement, the MoGo computer program defeated Myungwan Kim 8P (l) Thursday afternoon by 1.5 points in a 9-stone game billed as “Humanity’s Last Stand?” “It played really well,” said Kim, who estimated MoGo’s current strength at “two or maybe three dan,” though he noted that the program – which used 800 processors, at 4.7 Ghz, 15 Teraflops on a borrowed European supercomputer – “made some 5-dan moves,” like those in the lower right-hand corner, where Moyogo took advantage of a mistake by Kim to get an early lead. “I can’t tell you how amazing this is,” David Doshay -- the SlugGo programmer who suggested the match -- told the E-Journal after the game. “I’m shocked at the result. I really didn’t expect the computer to win in a one-hour game.” Kim easily won two blitz games with 9 stones and 11 stones and minutes and lost one with 12 stones and 15 minutes by 3.5 points. The games were played live at the U.S. Go Congress, with over 500 watching online on KGS. “I think there’s no chance on nine stones,” Kim told the EJ after the game. “It would even be difficult with eight stones. MoGo played really well; after getting a lead, every time I played aggressively, it just played safely, even when it meant sacrificing some stones. It didn’t try to maximize the win and just played the most sure way to win. It’s like a machine.” The game generated a lot of interest and discussion about the game’s tactics and philosophical implications. “Congratulations on making history today,” game organizer Peter Drake told both Kim and Olivier Teytaud, one of MoGo’s programmers, who participated in a brief online chat after the game. At a rare loss for words in a brief interview with the EJ after the game, Doshay wondered “How much time do we have left? We’ve improved nine stones in just a year and I suspect the next nine will fall quickly now.”- reported by Chris Garlock, photo by Brian Allen
Another Brick in the Wall Part 1 (Waters)
Daddy's flown across the ocean/Leaving just a memory/Snapshot in the family album/Daddy what else did you leave for me?/Daddy, what'd'ja leave behind for me?!?/All in all it was just a brick in the wall./All in all it was all just bricks in the wall./
"You! Yes, you! Stand still laddy!"
Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 (Waters) We don't need no education /We dont need no thought control/No dark sarcasm in the classroom/Teachers leave them kids alone/Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!/All in all it's just another brick in the wall./All in all you're just another brick in the wall./We don't need no education/We dont need no thought control/No dark sarcasm in the classroom/Teachers leave them kids alone/Hey! Teachers! Leave them kids alone!/All in all it's just another brick in the wall./All in all you're just another brick in the wall./
"Wrong, Do it again!"/"If you don't eat yer meat, you can't have any pudding./ How can you/have any pudding if you don't eat yer meat?"/"You! Yes, you behind the bikesheds, stand still laddy!"
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Chess quote of the day
Anarchy, however, reigns supreme in the scholastic chess world.-Russ Mollot (founder, Chess Express Ratings) author of THE BLACK HOLE IN CHESS RATINGS. (www.chessville.com/Editorials/BlackHoleinChessRatings.htm)
The Moons and the Z-Men
As is usually the case, there were no upsets in the first round of the TNF. The disparities ranged from 657 points on board one to 1221 (!) on the last board, #9. It has become apparent that there should be two sections for the TNF. After reading the excellent article, THE BLACK HOLE IN CHESS RATINGS, by By Russ Mollot (founder, Chess Express Ratings), is it any wonder why so few higher rated players are putting their hard earned rating points on the line?
The second round, with the class "B" players on up playing each other, did produce a few upsets, led by the rapidly improving Soloman Zelman's (1732) defeat of the High Plains Drifter, who then withdrew. Samuel Zimmerman (1667) beat Chris Wiley (1838); Joe Moon (2096) beat Gautam Narula (1757); and his brother, Ben Moon (1830), beat Tim Chu (1716). Mr Zelman took a 1/2 pt bye in the last round, leaving the Moon brothers to play each other, while the Z-Man had to face Justin Swaby (1610), who had 1 1/2 points after his draw with Mad Dog Millett in rd 2. Ryan beat his little brother to take clear first and $28 when Zimmy could only draw with Swaby. The Z-Men, Zimmerman and Zelman, split second place, winning $15 each. John Millett took the U1600 prize of $17 with his 1 1/2 points. Jackson Miller; Robert Steen; Richard Lin; Josh Doman; and Evelyn Chen split the $11 2nd U1600 prize.
Robert Steen has been working hard on his game, and it shows. He was a piece up and clearly winning versus Gautam Narula in the last round, but let the lack of time get to him by first throwing away the win and then failing to take the opposition in a King and pawn vs King ending, which would have drawn, going on to lose. Oh well, one has to have the winning positions to actually win them!
It will come as no surprise that the big rating gainers were the Z-Men, with Zelman gaining 25 points and Zimmy advancing 18.
The second round, with the class "B" players on up playing each other, did produce a few upsets, led by the rapidly improving Soloman Zelman's (1732) defeat of the High Plains Drifter, who then withdrew. Samuel Zimmerman (1667) beat Chris Wiley (1838); Joe Moon (2096) beat Gautam Narula (1757); and his brother, Ben Moon (1830), beat Tim Chu (1716). Mr Zelman took a 1/2 pt bye in the last round, leaving the Moon brothers to play each other, while the Z-Man had to face Justin Swaby (1610), who had 1 1/2 points after his draw with Mad Dog Millett in rd 2. Ryan beat his little brother to take clear first and $28 when Zimmy could only draw with Swaby. The Z-Men, Zimmerman and Zelman, split second place, winning $15 each. John Millett took the U1600 prize of $17 with his 1 1/2 points. Jackson Miller; Robert Steen; Richard Lin; Josh Doman; and Evelyn Chen split the $11 2nd U1600 prize.
Robert Steen has been working hard on his game, and it shows. He was a piece up and clearly winning versus Gautam Narula in the last round, but let the lack of time get to him by first throwing away the win and then failing to take the opposition in a King and pawn vs King ending, which would have drawn, going on to lose. Oh well, one has to have the winning positions to actually win them!
It will come as no surprise that the big rating gainers were the Z-Men, with Zelman gaining 25 points and Zimmy advancing 18.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Courtney Jamison-Damir Studen Rd 6
Damir has drawn with the winner of the Susan Polgar National Invitational for Girls, Courtney Jamison, rated 2032. He now has 3 1/2 points after six rounds.
1.e4 d52.exd5 Qxd53.Nc3 Qa54.d4 Nf65.Bd3 c66.Nf3 Bg47.O-O e68.Bf4 Be79.h3 Bxf310.Qxf3 O-O11.Be5 Nbd712.Rfe1 Rfe813.a3 Qd814.Rad1 Nb615.Ne4 Nxe416.Qxe4 g617.c4 Bf618.Bf1 Bg719.b4 Qd720.Qc2 Rad821.Qb3 Bxe522.dxe5 Qc723.f4 c524.Kh1 Qe725.g3 Qc726.Kh2 Kg727.b5 a528.Qc3 Nc829.Bg2 b630.Bc6 Rxd131.Rxd1 Rd832.Rd3 Ne733.Be4 Rxd334.Qxd3 Nc835.a4 f636.exf6 Kxf637.Bc6 Qd638.Qc3 Qd439.Qxd4 cxd440.Kg2 Nd641.c5 Nc442.cxb6 Nxb643.Kf2 g544.Be4 Nxa445.Bxh7 Nc546.b6 a447.Bb1 gxf448.gxf4 e549.fxe5 Kxe550.Kf3 a31/2-1/2
1.e4 d52.exd5 Qxd53.Nc3 Qa54.d4 Nf65.Bd3 c66.Nf3 Bg47.O-O e68.Bf4 Be79.h3 Bxf310.Qxf3 O-O11.Be5 Nbd712.Rfe1 Rfe813.a3 Qd814.Rad1 Nb615.Ne4 Nxe416.Qxe4 g617.c4 Bf618.Bf1 Bg719.b4 Qd720.Qc2 Rad821.Qb3 Bxe522.dxe5 Qc723.f4 c524.Kh1 Qe725.g3 Qc726.Kh2 Kg727.b5 a528.Qc3 Nc829.Bg2 b630.Bc6 Rxd131.Rxd1 Rd832.Rd3 Ne733.Be4 Rxd334.Qxd3 Nc835.a4 f636.exf6 Kxf637.Bc6 Qd638.Qc3 Qd439.Qxd4 cxd440.Kg2 Nd641.c5 Nc442.cxb6 Nxb643.Kf2 g544.Be4 Nxa445.Bxh7 Nc546.b6 a447.Bb1 gxf448.gxf4 e549.fxe5 Kxe550.Kf3 a31/2-1/2
Monday, August 4, 2008
New books and Batgirl
The House has a new shipment of books and software, including the new CHESSBASE 10, NIC 87, and Informant 101!
Received a call from our rep to the Denker tournament in hot Dallas just before his third round game with Scott Low, which, as it turns out, he lost. He won his next game to go 3-1, and is tied for 5-10. Mr Low is the only player 4-0. Damir's next opponent will be Julian W Landaw 2305, from California.
Received an email from Spencer Bledsoe who is in Russia! He writes: "Unfortunately I have found finding a chess game just as difficult here as in Atlanta, as it is uncommon for people to play on the streets. I am on a group tour, however, and ironically there is a pretty strong (rusty 2100) American on it as well. We have a match going that is 1.5-1.5, but I have winning chances in our most recent game which we had to adjourn."
Proving that if you seek a chess game, you will find...
I have recently found an outstanding chess site: http://www.chess.com/ I urge you to check it out if you have not done so as yet! I discovered some wonderful articles there and have only scratched the surface! One of the first things that caught my attention was an article by Batgirl. Her latest blog entry is Georgia on my Mind
She is a chess historian and seems to be confused by who is and who is not a former Georgia champion. This will give me another chance to get in touch with her, after I do some research!
Received a call from our rep to the Denker tournament in hot Dallas just before his third round game with Scott Low, which, as it turns out, he lost. He won his next game to go 3-1, and is tied for 5-10. Mr Low is the only player 4-0. Damir's next opponent will be Julian W Landaw 2305, from California.
Received an email from Spencer Bledsoe who is in Russia! He writes: "Unfortunately I have found finding a chess game just as difficult here as in Atlanta, as it is uncommon for people to play on the streets. I am on a group tour, however, and ironically there is a pretty strong (rusty 2100) American on it as well. We have a match going that is 1.5-1.5, but I have winning chances in our most recent game which we had to adjourn."
Proving that if you seek a chess game, you will find...
I have recently found an outstanding chess site: http://www.chess.com/ I urge you to check it out if you have not done so as yet! I discovered some wonderful articles there and have only scratched the surface! One of the first things that caught my attention was an article by Batgirl. Her latest blog entry is Georgia on my Mind
She is a chess historian and seems to be confused by who is and who is not a former Georgia champion. This will give me another chance to get in touch with her, after I do some research!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
The House was Rockin'
After the G/45 tournament ended, a violent thunderstorm, repleat with numerous lightening strikes too close for comfort, and hail, descended upon the House, causing a power failure. Undeterred by the storm sat Wayne Christensen playing speed with Alan Piper, while the Viktor Korchnoi of Southern chess, Klaus Pohl battled Kevin Eubanks. They rolled up the blinds and kept pushing pawns. These men obviously love the royal game with a passion I can only hope more peolple will discover sometime in their life. As I watched them playing speed chess, after driving a long distance to get to the House, and playing four games, I felt a deep love for each of them. It was then I realized I love everyone involved with chess, even those for whom I do not particularly care...The Dude once told me he thought it took two things to have a friendship; mutual interest and mutual respect. If one has an interest in chess, then we are half way there!
The power was off for over five hours. As I sat listening to H Johnson's wonderful program, Jazz Classics, on WABE-FM (You outta state readers can check it out online, Sat 9pm-2am) on my little battery operated Grundig (purchased from Mr Spinks six years ago before my see the USA trip), I began to feel pangs of hunger. My thoughts drifted to the bag of goodies left for the House by Henry Moon. Checking the bag, I found "bite size gold" TOSTITOS tortilla chips; pistachios; sunflower seeds; SNYDER'S Honey Mustard & Onion Nibblers; BACK TO NATURE Granola; ARCHER FARMS Multigrain oatmeal; NONNI'S Biscotti (which reminded me of a doctor who would come into the store in which I worked while in the mountains and purchase a cuppa java and a biscotti on his way to the office every day. He is a wonderful man who donates many hours to the free clinic); and MICHAEL SEASON'S Lite cheese puffs. Guess which one I had first? It was a veritably picnic in the dark! Thank you, Henry Moon!!! It had to be synchronicity...
A total of 56 players rocked the House for the G/45. There were 40 in the Open section, led by 2 masters; 4 experts; only 2 class A players; 11 B players; 6 C's; 9 D's; 4 other rated players, and 2 unrated's, who PLAY FOR FREE!!! We call it the House Special!
There were 13 players in the U1300 section. Three players did not show in this section, and one did not make it in the Open section, without informing the House. That left 4 players without a game in the first round. This is unacceptable. For that reason, we have instituted a new policy: You must pay to be paired! If you call to inform the House of your intention to play, we will make a note of it, but you will not be paired until you pay! You may enter by CC via the phone, or send a check or money order, and, of course, you can pay with cash at the House at any time. YOU WILL NTO BE PAIRED UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID AN ENTRY FEE! If you think you oughta be an exception, let me disabuse you of that notion. Because exceptions are made to every rule, the House does have one exception; with that being the High Plains Drifter, Mr David Vest. When you win both the Ga St Championship and the Ga Senior Championship, the House will then consider an exception for you!
The top 4 players made it unscathed into the last round, with the Drifter facing the Alan Piper, who had White, on board one, while "Viktor" Pohl, behind the White army, squared off against the young and rapidly improving Joe Moon. Mr Vest gave up a piece but was able to gobble pawn after pawn, until he had too many pawns for the piece. The draw on the second board gave first place, and $167, to David Vest. Klaus and Joe took $97.50 each from the House. After the tournament ended and before the loss of power, a forlorn Mr Piper was looking for the winner, but he had already Drifted away, so I analyzed the critical position with him for some time. Even without the piece, the man from the High Plains had a dominating position, as the Pipe came to realize...
Michael Mulford, with his strategic 1/2 point bye in the last round, finished with 3 points, as did Ben Moon, Lintu Ramachandran, Jay Youngblood, and Alan Piper. All but the Pipe won $17.50. Something seems inherently unfair about that turn of events...Samuel Z-Man, Brennan Bukovics, Robert Jarchow, Dave Richards, Pinky Peatman, James Stack(house), and Chris Taylor each finished with 2-2. All but Mr Taylor, who was unrated, won $11 for their efforts. Arjun Grover, Nathan Wu, and Rishi Bagga also each finished with an even score, but because they are rated lower than the others they won more money, with each taking $22.35 from the House. That is clearly 40% of the entrants taking home cash!
The lower section was won by Daniel Justice with 3 wins and a full pt bye. His brother, Zachary, finished second with 3 wins and a draw. Alexander Hollins was third with 2 wins, one loss, and a full pt bye.
Stevie Ray Vaughan: The House is Rockin’
Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/Kick off your shoes start losin the blues/This old house aint got nothin to lose/Seen it all for years start spreadin the news/We got room on the floor come on baby shake sumpin loose/Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/Walkin up the street you can hear the sound/Of some bad honky tonkers really layin it down/Theyve seen it all for years and got nothin to lose/So get down on the floor shimmy til you shake sumpin loose/Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/I said the house is a rockin dont bother come on in
The power was off for over five hours. As I sat listening to H Johnson's wonderful program, Jazz Classics, on WABE-FM (You outta state readers can check it out online, Sat 9pm-2am) on my little battery operated Grundig (purchased from Mr Spinks six years ago before my see the USA trip), I began to feel pangs of hunger. My thoughts drifted to the bag of goodies left for the House by Henry Moon. Checking the bag, I found "bite size gold" TOSTITOS tortilla chips; pistachios; sunflower seeds; SNYDER'S Honey Mustard & Onion Nibblers; BACK TO NATURE Granola; ARCHER FARMS Multigrain oatmeal; NONNI'S Biscotti (which reminded me of a doctor who would come into the store in which I worked while in the mountains and purchase a cuppa java and a biscotti on his way to the office every day. He is a wonderful man who donates many hours to the free clinic); and MICHAEL SEASON'S Lite cheese puffs. Guess which one I had first? It was a veritably picnic in the dark! Thank you, Henry Moon!!! It had to be synchronicity...
A total of 56 players rocked the House for the G/45. There were 40 in the Open section, led by 2 masters; 4 experts; only 2 class A players; 11 B players; 6 C's; 9 D's; 4 other rated players, and 2 unrated's, who PLAY FOR FREE!!! We call it the House Special!
There were 13 players in the U1300 section. Three players did not show in this section, and one did not make it in the Open section, without informing the House. That left 4 players without a game in the first round. This is unacceptable. For that reason, we have instituted a new policy: You must pay to be paired! If you call to inform the House of your intention to play, we will make a note of it, but you will not be paired until you pay! You may enter by CC via the phone, or send a check or money order, and, of course, you can pay with cash at the House at any time. YOU WILL NTO BE PAIRED UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID AN ENTRY FEE! If you think you oughta be an exception, let me disabuse you of that notion. Because exceptions are made to every rule, the House does have one exception; with that being the High Plains Drifter, Mr David Vest. When you win both the Ga St Championship and the Ga Senior Championship, the House will then consider an exception for you!
The top 4 players made it unscathed into the last round, with the Drifter facing the Alan Piper, who had White, on board one, while "Viktor" Pohl, behind the White army, squared off against the young and rapidly improving Joe Moon. Mr Vest gave up a piece but was able to gobble pawn after pawn, until he had too many pawns for the piece. The draw on the second board gave first place, and $167, to David Vest. Klaus and Joe took $97.50 each from the House. After the tournament ended and before the loss of power, a forlorn Mr Piper was looking for the winner, but he had already Drifted away, so I analyzed the critical position with him for some time. Even without the piece, the man from the High Plains had a dominating position, as the Pipe came to realize...
Michael Mulford, with his strategic 1/2 point bye in the last round, finished with 3 points, as did Ben Moon, Lintu Ramachandran, Jay Youngblood, and Alan Piper. All but the Pipe won $17.50. Something seems inherently unfair about that turn of events...Samuel Z-Man, Brennan Bukovics, Robert Jarchow, Dave Richards, Pinky Peatman, James Stack(house), and Chris Taylor each finished with 2-2. All but Mr Taylor, who was unrated, won $11 for their efforts. Arjun Grover, Nathan Wu, and Rishi Bagga also each finished with an even score, but because they are rated lower than the others they won more money, with each taking $22.35 from the House. That is clearly 40% of the entrants taking home cash!
The lower section was won by Daniel Justice with 3 wins and a full pt bye. His brother, Zachary, finished second with 3 wins and a draw. Alexander Hollins was third with 2 wins, one loss, and a full pt bye.
Stevie Ray Vaughan: The House is Rockin’
Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/Kick off your shoes start losin the blues/This old house aint got nothin to lose/Seen it all for years start spreadin the news/We got room on the floor come on baby shake sumpin loose/Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/Walkin up the street you can hear the sound/Of some bad honky tonkers really layin it down/Theyve seen it all for years and got nothin to lose/So get down on the floor shimmy til you shake sumpin loose/Well - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother knockin/Yeah - the house is a rockin dont bother come on in/I said the house is a rockin dont bother come on in
Friday, August 1, 2008
Quad and a half
Thursday night Damir won the quad 3-0, as he hit the Pipe in the last round. James Stack had to leave the House early to go to work, so both he and the Zim man finished winless. There were only two players for the second quad, so Bob Bassett and Woody squared off in a three game G/20 match, which was won by the ol' veteran, as he won both games with White, drawing the one he had with the Black pieces.
Tonight ten players came for the G/10. The Stud, on his way to Texas tomorrow as the Denker representative, decided to "warm-up" by getting in a little speed action. Who needs rest when one is young and...full of energy. Damir beat the next highest rated player, Joe Moon, in rd 3 to go 3-0, but stumbled with a draw with Steve Csukas in the next round and got hit with the Pipe in rd 5, allowing Joe to run the table, to finish 6-1 and win the top prize of $24! Damir finished a half point behind. Csukas and Piper finished at 4 1/2-2 1/2. Ben Moon and Zimmy finished 4-3, with Zimmy taking the under prize of $18.
Damir has decided to focus on the Denker HS championship first and then play in the 5-day flight of the US Open. We wish him all the fortune out there on the range!
G/45 tomorrow!
Tonight ten players came for the G/10. The Stud, on his way to Texas tomorrow as the Denker representative, decided to "warm-up" by getting in a little speed action. Who needs rest when one is young and...full of energy. Damir beat the next highest rated player, Joe Moon, in rd 3 to go 3-0, but stumbled with a draw with Steve Csukas in the next round and got hit with the Pipe in rd 5, allowing Joe to run the table, to finish 6-1 and win the top prize of $24! Damir finished a half point behind. Csukas and Piper finished at 4 1/2-2 1/2. Ben Moon and Zimmy finished 4-3, with Zimmy taking the under prize of $18.
Damir has decided to focus on the Denker HS championship first and then play in the 5-day flight of the US Open. We wish him all the fortune out there on the range!
G/45 tomorrow!
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