Kasparov Dons 3D Glasses To Fight, Draw X3D Fritz

Shalda writes "CNN is reporting that: "Former world chess champion [Garry] Kasparov, 40, pits his genius against 'X3D Fritz,' a combination of Fritz, the most dominant chess software, with X3D Technologies company software that specializes in virtual reality." Kasparov will be looking at a virtual board through 3D VR glasses in what sounds like one of the lamest chess PR stunts ever." ChessBase has some interesting statistics trying to predict the entire match, plumping for an overall Kasparov win, but Reuters reveals today's opening encounter ended in a draw.

Comments

3D and Battlechess?

[ghideon]

If someone could get some 3D VR going with updated graphics for Battlechess, I'd start playing again...

blindfolded grandmasters

[Kynde]

Grandmasters like Kasparov are commonly known to be able to not only play blindfolded but play on almost the same level that they play with the board in front of them. For some reason this really applies to only the really great ones, though I must admit that I have knowledge of Kasparov playing blindfolded but many grandmasters before him have played absolutely astonishing games like that.

I remember a picture of a former russian grandmaster Aljechin sitting on a chair and behind him were some 20 to 30 other top russian players. He played against them simultaneously and without back against them. Can't remember the exact result, but in overall he won by some margin. Just about the most spectacular event in chess history that I can remember, althoug there are many many others.

So my point being, the vr glasses probably won't do that much good for him and even worse they may disturb his concentration more than they're of use.

I can wholeheartedly recommed borrowing some chess history books. They're filled with amazing true stories about those goons. One really doesn't have to be all that much into chess to enjoy them. Was it Spasski who was so concentrated on his next game in a tournament that he got mixed with the doors of the cafeteria and somehow wound up back inside. Deep thinking poor chap ate again. Might have not been Spasski, but it was one of the greater ones.