Computers, Chess, and Cognition

The checkers program Chinook has won the right to play a 40-game match for the World Checkers Championship against Dr. Marion Tinsley. This was earned by placing second, after Dr. Tinsley, at the 1990 U.S. National Open, the biennial event used to determine a challenger for the championship. This is the first time a program has earned the right to contest for a human world championship. In an exhibition match played in December 1990, Tinsley narrowly defeated Chinook 7.5-6.5. This paper describes the program, the research problems encountered and our solutions.