computers and chess

The game of chess has long been regarded as a symbol of man`s intellectual prowess. Until recently, the prospect of a chess-playing computer defeating a master-strength human opponent seemed remote. A few months ago, however, in a much publicised match an International Chess Master, David Levy, actually lost a game to a program from North America. The story of the match is recounted by Mr. Levy himself elsewhere in this issue. The following article takes a look at the background to computers and chess: how they play, their weaknesses and strong points, and speculates on the chances of Karpov being the last flesh-and-blood World chess champion!