Introduction

In the fascinating world of chess, there have been legendary battles between human grandmasters and powerful computer opponents. One such historic showdown took place between Garry Kasparov, the reigning world champion at the time, and Deep Blue, an IBM supercomputer that’s capable of calculating a staggering 200 million positions per second. In this lesson, we will delve into this intense battle of man versus machine and explore the intriguing moves and strategies employed by both sides.

Below, you can find the complete game:

The Game Begins

The game starts with Kasparov opting for a more positional approach, considering the immense computational power of the computer. Both sides cautiously develop their pieces, with Kasparov playing defensively and creating a solid pawn structure. However, Deep Blue surprises with its choice of opening setup that’s similar to the London System.

Strategic Maneuvers

Kasparov strategically maneuvers his pieces, aiming to exploit weaknesses in the computer’s position. He plans to play g4, targeting the bishop and gaining a positional advantage. Deep Blue, aware of Kasparov’s past victories, responds with a prophylactic move 10…h6, showcasing its formidable strength.

Complex Calculation and Tactical Decisions

As the game progresses, both sides make crucial moves and calculations. Kasparov demonstrates his deep understanding of positional play, while Deep Blue showcases its tactical prowess.

Black tries to launch an attack on the kingside with 20…Bc5, but Kasparov defends resolutely with 21.Ne3, employing prophylactic moves and preventing any decisive breakthroughs.

The Transition to the Endgame

The following position arrived after Deep Blue played 28…f5, a desperate attempt to open up the kingside and attack White.

After 29.exf5 e4, Kasparov played the right move 30.f4, in fact the only move that saves the game for him. After, 30…Bxe2 31.fxg5 Ne5 32.g6, even though White gave up the rook in exchange for a bishop, at least the position remains to be closed.

Realizing the difficulty of outcalculating the computer, Kasparov traded off material and entered the following endgame.

The endgame favors White, with connected pawns and potential threats. Deep Blue responds with accurate moves, mimicking Kasparov’s play, but it underestimates the long-term consequences of certain moves.

The Final Blow

In the above position, Deep Blue played a bad move (reportedly because of its bug) 44…Rd1, which simply allowed 45.g7, and Kasparov’s pawn promotion is inevitable. Despite its attempts, Deep Blue succumbs to the impending pawn avalanche, leading to its resignation.

Conclusion

The battle between Garry Kasparov and Deep Blue was a riveting clash of skill and technology. Kasparov’s strategic maneuvering and ability to exploit weaknesses demonstrated the enduring value of human intuition and positional understanding. Deep Blue’s tactical prowess and computational power showcased the advancements in artificial intelligence.

To witness the intensity of this battle, watch the full video analysis here.