The rise of Machine Intelligence: Computer Chess - OpenMind

Just over 19 years ago, a milestone in the world of AI was achieved when IBM's supercomputer Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov. Until then, he was the undefeated world Chess champion – probably the greatest human player of all time. This was a momentous event in AI's brief history. Computer chess programs had been playing good chess since the 1970's, and had improved to the point where their level of play would beat the vast majority of the population. I myself recall buying a chess program in the early 1980's which offered 6 levels of play from beginner to advanced. Even then, I had difficulty beating the machine above level 3.