September 24, 2025 • 19 mins
Step into a world where a machine, adorned with blinking lights and the scent of ozone, enters the prestigious Grand Master chess tournament. This early computer faces off against some of the greatest human minds, challenging the notion of genius with its formidable calculating power. But don‚At be fooled‚Aîthe machine is not infallible. It can be deceived, make errors, and most intriguingly, it can learn! Join us on this thrilling journey through the intersection of technology and human intellect. (summary by phil c and the publisher)
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Part five of The sixty four Square Madhouse by Fritz Leiber.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Part five
Krakatauer had lost two pawns when the first time control
point arrived, and was intending to resign on his thirty
first move when the machine broke down. Three of its
(00:23):
pieces moved on the electric board at once. Then the
board went dark, and all the lights on the console
went out except five, which started winking like angry red eyes.
The Gray smocked men around. Simon Gray sprang silently into action,
filing around back of the console. It was the first
(00:44):
work any one had seen them do, except move screens
around and fetch each other coffee. Vanderhoff hovered anxiously. Some
flash bulbs went off. Vanderhoff shook his fist at the
photographer's Simon Great did nothing. The machine's clock ticked on.
Doc watched for a while and then fell asleep when
(01:07):
Venderhoff jogged him awake. The machine had just made its
next move, but the repair job had taken fifty minutes.
As a result, the machine had to make fifteen moves
in ten minutes, at forty seconds a move. It played
like a dub whose general lack of skill was complicated
by a touch of insanity. On his forty third move,
(01:30):
Doc shrugged his shoulders apologetically and announced mate. In four,
there were more flashes. Vnderhoff shook his fist again. The
machine flashed. You played brilliantly. Congratulations. Afterwards, Doc said sourly
to Sandra. And that was one big lie. A child
(01:51):
could have beat the machine with that time advantage. Oh,
what an ironic glory the God's reserved for Krakatawer's dotage
to vanquish a broken down computer. Only one good thing
about it that it didn't happen while it was playing
one of the Russians or someone would surely have whispered sabotage.
And that is something of which they do not accuse
(02:13):
dirty old Krakatauer, because they are sure he has not
got the brains even to think to sprinkle a little
magnetic oxide powder in the machine's memory box. Bah. Just
the same, he seemed considerably more cheerful, Sandra said, Guilelessly
winning a game means nothing to you chess players, does
(02:34):
it unless you really do it by your own brilliancy.
Doc looks solemn for a moment, then he started to chuckle,
you are getting altogether too smart, miss Sandra Lee Grayling.
He said, yes, yes, a chess player is happy to
win in any barely legitimate way he can, by an
(02:56):
earthquake if necessary, or his opponents sickening before he does
the bubonic plague. So I confess it to you. I
was very happy to chalk up my utterly undeserved win
over the luckless machine, which incidentally makes it anybody's tournament? Again,
doesn't it? Doc? Not exactly? Doc gave a wry little headshake.
(03:20):
We can't expect another fluke. After all, the machine has
functioned perfectly seven games out of eight, and you can
bet the WBM men will be checking it all night,
especially since it has no adjourned games to work on.
Tomorrow it will play Willy Angler. But judging from the
way it beat what Bidnick and Joal, it should have
(03:43):
a definite edge on Willie. If it beats him, then
only what Bidnick has a chance for a tie, and
to do that he must defeat Lismov, which will be
most difficult. Well, Sandra said, don't you think that Leismov
might just kind of let himself be beaten to make
sure a Russian gets first place, or at least ties
(04:04):
for it. Doc shook his head emphatically. There are many
things a man, even a chess master, will do to
serve his state, but party loyalty doesn't go that deep.
Look here is the standing of the players after eight rounds.
He handed Sandra a penciled list. One round to go
(04:26):
player Machine wins five and a half, losses two and
a half, what Bidnick wins five and a half losses
two and a half, Angler wins five losses three, Jowel
wins four and a half losses three and a half,
les Mov wins four and a half, losses three and
(04:48):
a half, Surrikh wins four and a half losses three
and a half, Shurewski wins four losses four, Jendorff wins
two and a half losses five and a half. Grabo
wins two losses six, Kiakatower wins to losses six. Last
round pairings Machine versus Angler, what ben Nick versus Leismov,
(05:14):
Joal versus Surrik, Sharewski versus Krakatawer, Gendoff versus Grabbo. After
studying the list for a while, Sandra said, hey, even
Angler could come out first, couldn't he if he beat
the machine and but Bidnick lost to Leismov, could could yes,
But I'm afraid that's hoping for too much. Barring another breakdown.
(05:37):
To tell the truth, dear, the machine is simply too
good for all of us. If it were only a
little faster, and these technological improvements always come, it would
outclass us completely. We are at that fleeting moment of
balance when genius is almost good enough to equal mechanism.
It makes me feel sad, but proud too, in a
(05:59):
more arbit fashion, to think that I am in at
the death of Grandmaster Chess. Oh. I suppose the game
will always be played, but it won't ever be quite
the same. He blew out of breath and shrugged his shoulders.
As for Willie, he's a good one, and he'll give
the machine a long heart fight. You can depend on it.
(06:21):
He might conceivably even draw. He touched Sandra's arm. Cheer up,
my dear, he said, you should remind yourself that a
victory for the machine is still a victory for the USA.
Doc's prediction about a long heart fight was decidedly not fulfilled.
Having White, the machine opened pawn to King four, and
(06:44):
Angler went into the Sicilian defense. For the first twelve
moves on each side, both adversaries pushed their pieces and
tapped their clocks at such lightning speed. Vanderhoff feeding in
Angler's move swiftly that up in the stands, Bill and
Judy were still flipping pages madly in their hunt for
the right column in MCO. The machine made its thirteenth move,
(07:07):
still at blitz tempo. Bishop takes pawn check and mate
in three. Willie announced, very loudly, made the move, banged
his clock and sat back. There was a collective gasp
and gabble from the stands. Dave squeezed Sandra's arm hard.
Then from once forgetting that he was doctor Causin, he
(07:29):
demanded loudly of Bill and Judy, have you two idiots
found that column yet? The machine's thirteenth move is a boner,
pinning down the reference with a fingernail. Judy cried, yes,
here it is on page one sixty one. In footnote E. T. B.
Dave that thirteenth move for White is in the book,
(07:52):
but Black replies Knight to Queen two not Bishop takes
pawn check, and three moves later the book gives White
a place value what the heck it can't be, Bill asserted,
but it is check for yourself that boner is in
the book. Shut up, everybody, Dave ordered, clapping his hands
(08:14):
to his face. When he dropped them a moment later,
his eyes gleamed. I got it now. Angler figured they
were using the latest edition of MCEO to program the machine.
On openings, he found an editorial error, and then he
deliberately played the machine into that variation. Dave practically shouted
(08:37):
his last words, but that attracted no attention, as at
that moment the whole haul was the noisiest it had
been throughout the tournament. It simmered down somewhat. As the
machine flashed a move, Angler replied instantly. The machine replied
almost as soon as Angler's move was fed into it.
(08:58):
Angler moved again, his move fed into the machine, and
the machine flashed I am checkmated congratulations. Next morning, Sandra
heard Dave's guests confirmed by both Angler and Great Doc
had spotted them having coffee and a malt together, and
he and Sandra joined them. Doc was jubilant, having just
(09:21):
drawn his adjourned game with Sharewski, which meant since Jandorf
had beaten Grabo that he was in undisputed possession of
Knife place. They were all waiting for the finish of
the votbidnik Lismov game, which would decide the final standings
of the leaders. Willie Angler was complacent, and Simon grat
(09:42):
was serene and at last a little more talkative. You know, Willie,
the psychologists said, I was afraid that one of you
boys would figure out something like that. That was the
chief reason I didn't have the machine use the programmed
openings until Liismov's win forced me to. I couldn't check
every opening line in MCO and the archives and CHECKBATI.
(10:05):
There wasn't time. As it was, we had a dozen
typists and proofreaders busy for weeks preparing that part of
the programming and making sure it was accurate as far
as following the books went. Tell the truth, now, Willie,
how many friends did you have hunting for flaws in
the latest edition of MCO? Willie grinned, You're unlucky thirteenth. Well,
(10:29):
that's my secret though. I've always said that anyone joining
the Willie Angler fan club ought to expect to have
to pay some day for the privilege. They're sharp, those
little guys and I worked their tails off. Simon Gray
laughed and said, to Sandra, your young friend Dave was
pretty sharp himself to deduce what had happened so quickly. Willie,
(10:52):
you ought to have him in the Bleaker Street irregulars.
Sandra said, I get the impression he's planning to start
a club of his. Angler snorted, huh, that's the trouble
with my little guys. They're all waiting to topple me.
Simon Gray said, well, so long as Willie is passing
up Dave, I want to talk to him. It takes
(11:13):
real courage and a youngster to question authority. How should
he get in touch with you? Sandra asked, Well, grat
told her. Willie studied them frowningly. Cy are you planning
to stick to this chess programming racket? He demanded. Simon
Gray did not answer the question. You try telling me something, Willie,
(11:34):
he said, Have you been approached the last couple of
days by IBM? You mean asking me to take over
your job? I said, IBM, Willie. Oh. Willie's grin became
a tight one. I'm not talking. There was a flurry
of sound and movement around the playing tables. Willie sprang up.
(11:55):
Lis Moffs agreed to a draw. He informed him a
moment later, fuck gangster, gangster, because he put you in
equal first place with but Binnick, both of you ahead
of the machine. Great inquired gently. Ah, he could have
beat Betty, given me so first, a rushing gangster. Doc
(12:18):
shook a finger. Lee Smoff could also have lost stuvat
bidd Nick Willie putting you in second place. Don't think
evil thoughts. So long, pals. As Angler clattered down the stairs,
Simon grat signed the waiter for more coffee, lit a
fresh cigarette, took a deep dragon, leaned back. You know,
(12:39):
he said, it's a great relief not to have to
impersonate the hyper confident programmer for a while. Being a
psychologist has spoiled me for that sort of thing. I'm
not as good as I once was at beating people
over the head with my ego. You didn't do too badly,
Doc said, thanks. Actually, ABM is very much pleased with
(13:02):
the machine's performance. The machine's flaws made it seem more
real and more newsworthy, especially how it functioned when the
going got tough. Those repairs the boys made under time
pressure in your games Civilli will help sell WBM computers
or I miss my guess. In fact, nobody could have
(13:23):
watched the tournament for long without realizing there were nine smart,
rugged men out there ready to kill that computer if
they could. The machine passed a real test, and then
the whole deal dramatizes what computers are and what they
can and can't do, and not just at the popular level.
The WBM research boys are learning a lot about computer
(13:46):
and programming theory by studying how the machine and its
programmers behave under tournament stress. It's a kind of test
unlike that provided by any other computer work. Just this morning,
for instance, one of our big mathematicians told me that
he is beginning to think that the theory of games
does apply to chess, because you can bluff and counterbluff
(14:08):
with your programming. And I'm learning about human psychology, Doc chuckled,
such as that even human thinking is just a matter
of how you program your own mind. That we're all
like the machine to that extent, that's one of the
big points, Civilly, Yes, Doc smiled at Sandra, you wrote
(14:30):
a nice little news story, dear about how man conquered
the machine by a palpitating nose, and one of victory
for international enmity. Now the story starts to go deeper.
A lot of things go deeper, Sandral replied, looking at
him evenly, much deeper than even you ever expected. The
start the big electric scoreboard lit up. Final standing player
(14:55):
Angler wins six losses three what Binnick wins losses three,
Joll wins five and a half, losses three and a half,
Machine wins five and a half losses three and a half.
Leasmoff wins five losses four, Serh wins four and a half,
(15:16):
losses four and a half, Sharewski wins four and a half,
losses four and a half, Jendorff wins three and a half,
losses five and a half, Krakataur wins two and a half,
losses six and a half. Rabo wins two losses seven.
It was a good tournament, Doc said, and the machine
(15:37):
has proven itself a grand master. It must make you
feel good, Simon, after being out of tournament chess for
twenty years. The psychologist nodded, will you go back to
psychology now? Sandra asked him, Simon great smiled, I can
answer that question, honestly, miss Grayling, because the news is
(15:58):
due for release. No WBM is pressing for entry of
the machine in the Interzonal Candidates tournament. They want to
crack at the World's Championship. Doc raised his eyebrows. That's news, indeed.
But look, Simon, with the knowledge you've gained in this tournament,
won't you be able to make the machine almost a
(16:20):
sure winner in every game? I don't know. Players like
Angler and Lisamoff may find some more flaws in the
functioning and dream up some new stratagems. Besides, there's another
solution to the problems raised by having a single computer
entered in a grand master tournament. Doc sat up straight.
You mean having more programmer computer teams than just one. Exactly.
(16:46):
The Russians are bound to give their best players computers,
considering the prestige the game has in Russia. And I
wasn't asking Willie that question about IBM, just on a hunch.
Chess tournaments are a one wonderful way to test rival
computers and show them off to the public, just like
cross country races were for the early automobiles. The future
(17:09):
grand master will inevitably be a programmer computer team, a
man machine's symbiotic partnership, probably with more freedom each way
than I was allowed in this tournament. I mean the
man taking over the play in some positions the machine
and others. You're making my head swim, Sandra said, mine
is in the same storm, tossed ocean. Doc assured her
(17:32):
Diamond that will be very refined for the master who
can get themselves computers, either from their governments or from
hiring out to big firms, or in other ways. Gendorf,
I am sure will be able to interest some Argentinian
millionaire in a computer for him, while I how I
am too old still when I start to think about it.
(17:55):
But what about the Bella Grabbos. Incidentally, did you know
they grab is contesting Jendorf's win claims Jendorf discussed the
position with Sarrih. I think they exchanged about two words.
Simon shrugged. The Bella Grabos will have to continue to
fight their own battles, if necessary, satisfying themselves with the
(18:17):
lesser tournaments. Believe me, Civilly, from now on, grandmaster chess
without one or more computers entered will lax sauce. Doctor
Krakatower shook his head and said, thinking gets more expensive
every year. From the floor came the harsh voice of
Igor Jhandorf and the shrill one of Bella Grabo. Raised
(18:40):
in anger. Three words came through clearly. I challenge you,
Sandra said, well, there's something you can't build into a
machine EGO. Oh, I don't know about that, said Simon
Grat end of Part five, end of The sixty four
(19:02):
Square Meth House by Fritz Laber
Part five of The sixty four Square Madhouse by Fritz Leiber.
This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Part five
Krakatauer had lost two pawns when the first time control
point arrived, and was intending to resign on his thirty
first move when the machine broke down. Three of its
(00:23):
pieces moved on the electric board at once. Then the
board went dark, and all the lights on the console
went out except five, which started winking like angry red eyes.
The Gray smocked men around. Simon Gray sprang silently into action,
filing around back of the console. It was the first
(00:44):
work any one had seen them do, except move screens
around and fetch each other coffee. Vanderhoff hovered anxiously. Some
flash bulbs went off. Vanderhoff shook his fist at the
photographer's Simon Great did nothing. The machine's clock ticked on.
Doc watched for a while and then fell asleep when
(01:07):
Venderhoff jogged him awake. The machine had just made its
next move, but the repair job had taken fifty minutes.
As a result, the machine had to make fifteen moves
in ten minutes, at forty seconds a move. It played
like a dub whose general lack of skill was complicated
by a touch of insanity. On his forty third move,
(01:30):
Doc shrugged his shoulders apologetically and announced mate. In four,
there were more flashes. Vnderhoff shook his fist again. The
machine flashed. You played brilliantly. Congratulations. Afterwards, Doc said sourly
to Sandra. And that was one big lie. A child
(01:51):
could have beat the machine with that time advantage. Oh,
what an ironic glory the God's reserved for Krakatawer's dotage
to vanquish a broken down computer. Only one good thing
about it that it didn't happen while it was playing
one of the Russians or someone would surely have whispered sabotage.
And that is something of which they do not accuse
(02:13):
dirty old Krakatauer, because they are sure he has not
got the brains even to think to sprinkle a little
magnetic oxide powder in the machine's memory box. Bah. Just
the same, he seemed considerably more cheerful, Sandra said, Guilelessly
winning a game means nothing to you chess players, does
(02:34):
it unless you really do it by your own brilliancy.
Doc looks solemn for a moment, then he started to chuckle,
you are getting altogether too smart, miss Sandra Lee Grayling.
He said, yes, yes, a chess player is happy to
win in any barely legitimate way he can, by an
(02:56):
earthquake if necessary, or his opponents sickening before he does
the bubonic plague. So I confess it to you. I
was very happy to chalk up my utterly undeserved win
over the luckless machine, which incidentally makes it anybody's tournament? Again,
doesn't it? Doc? Not exactly? Doc gave a wry little headshake.
(03:20):
We can't expect another fluke. After all, the machine has
functioned perfectly seven games out of eight, and you can
bet the WBM men will be checking it all night,
especially since it has no adjourned games to work on.
Tomorrow it will play Willy Angler. But judging from the
way it beat what Bidnick and Joal, it should have
(03:43):
a definite edge on Willie. If it beats him, then
only what Bidnick has a chance for a tie, and
to do that he must defeat Lismov, which will be
most difficult. Well, Sandra said, don't you think that Leismov
might just kind of let himself be beaten to make
sure a Russian gets first place, or at least ties
(04:04):
for it. Doc shook his head emphatically. There are many
things a man, even a chess master, will do to
serve his state, but party loyalty doesn't go that deep.
Look here is the standing of the players after eight rounds.
He handed Sandra a penciled list. One round to go
(04:26):
player Machine wins five and a half, losses two and
a half, what Bidnick wins five and a half losses
two and a half, Angler wins five losses three, Jowel
wins four and a half losses three and a half,
les Mov wins four and a half, losses three and
(04:48):
a half, Surrikh wins four and a half losses three
and a half, Shurewski wins four losses four, Jendorff wins
two and a half losses five and a half. Grabo
wins two losses six, Kiakatower wins to losses six. Last
round pairings Machine versus Angler, what ben Nick versus Leismov,
(05:14):
Joal versus Surrik, Sharewski versus Krakatawer, Gendoff versus Grabbo. After
studying the list for a while, Sandra said, hey, even
Angler could come out first, couldn't he if he beat
the machine and but Bidnick lost to Leismov, could could yes,
But I'm afraid that's hoping for too much. Barring another breakdown.
(05:37):
To tell the truth, dear, the machine is simply too
good for all of us. If it were only a
little faster, and these technological improvements always come, it would
outclass us completely. We are at that fleeting moment of
balance when genius is almost good enough to equal mechanism.
It makes me feel sad, but proud too, in a
(05:59):
more arbit fashion, to think that I am in at
the death of Grandmaster Chess. Oh. I suppose the game
will always be played, but it won't ever be quite
the same. He blew out of breath and shrugged his shoulders.
As for Willie, he's a good one, and he'll give
the machine a long heart fight. You can depend on it.
(06:21):
He might conceivably even draw. He touched Sandra's arm. Cheer up,
my dear, he said, you should remind yourself that a
victory for the machine is still a victory for the USA.
Doc's prediction about a long heart fight was decidedly not fulfilled.
Having White, the machine opened pawn to King four, and
(06:44):
Angler went into the Sicilian defense. For the first twelve
moves on each side, both adversaries pushed their pieces and
tapped their clocks at such lightning speed. Vanderhoff feeding in
Angler's move swiftly that up in the stands, Bill and
Judy were still flipping pages madly in their hunt for
the right column in MCO. The machine made its thirteenth move,
(07:07):
still at blitz tempo. Bishop takes pawn check and mate
in three. Willie announced, very loudly, made the move, banged
his clock and sat back. There was a collective gasp
and gabble from the stands. Dave squeezed Sandra's arm hard.
Then from once forgetting that he was doctor Causin, he
(07:29):
demanded loudly of Bill and Judy, have you two idiots
found that column yet? The machine's thirteenth move is a boner,
pinning down the reference with a fingernail. Judy cried, yes,
here it is on page one sixty one. In footnote E. T. B.
Dave that thirteenth move for White is in the book,
(07:52):
but Black replies Knight to Queen two not Bishop takes
pawn check, and three moves later the book gives White
a place value what the heck it can't be, Bill asserted,
but it is check for yourself that boner is in
the book. Shut up, everybody, Dave ordered, clapping his hands
(08:14):
to his face. When he dropped them a moment later,
his eyes gleamed. I got it now. Angler figured they
were using the latest edition of MCEO to program the machine.
On openings, he found an editorial error, and then he
deliberately played the machine into that variation. Dave practically shouted
(08:37):
his last words, but that attracted no attention, as at
that moment the whole haul was the noisiest it had
been throughout the tournament. It simmered down somewhat. As the
machine flashed a move, Angler replied instantly. The machine replied
almost as soon as Angler's move was fed into it.
(08:58):
Angler moved again, his move fed into the machine, and
the machine flashed I am checkmated congratulations. Next morning, Sandra
heard Dave's guests confirmed by both Angler and Great Doc
had spotted them having coffee and a malt together, and
he and Sandra joined them. Doc was jubilant, having just
(09:21):
drawn his adjourned game with Sharewski, which meant since Jandorf
had beaten Grabo that he was in undisputed possession of
Knife place. They were all waiting for the finish of
the votbidnik Lismov game, which would decide the final standings
of the leaders. Willie Angler was complacent, and Simon grat
(09:42):
was serene and at last a little more talkative. You know, Willie,
the psychologists said, I was afraid that one of you
boys would figure out something like that. That was the
chief reason I didn't have the machine use the programmed
openings until Liismov's win forced me to. I couldn't check
every opening line in MCO and the archives and CHECKBATI.
(10:05):
There wasn't time. As it was, we had a dozen
typists and proofreaders busy for weeks preparing that part of
the programming and making sure it was accurate as far
as following the books went. Tell the truth, now, Willie,
how many friends did you have hunting for flaws in
the latest edition of MCO? Willie grinned, You're unlucky thirteenth. Well,
(10:29):
that's my secret though. I've always said that anyone joining
the Willie Angler fan club ought to expect to have
to pay some day for the privilege. They're sharp, those
little guys and I worked their tails off. Simon Gray
laughed and said, to Sandra, your young friend Dave was
pretty sharp himself to deduce what had happened so quickly. Willie,
(10:52):
you ought to have him in the Bleaker Street irregulars.
Sandra said, I get the impression he's planning to start
a club of his. Angler snorted, huh, that's the trouble
with my little guys. They're all waiting to topple me.
Simon Gray said, well, so long as Willie is passing
up Dave, I want to talk to him. It takes
(11:13):
real courage and a youngster to question authority. How should
he get in touch with you? Sandra asked, Well, grat
told her. Willie studied them frowningly. Cy are you planning
to stick to this chess programming racket? He demanded. Simon
Gray did not answer the question. You try telling me something, Willie,
(11:34):
he said, Have you been approached the last couple of
days by IBM? You mean asking me to take over
your job? I said, IBM, Willie. Oh. Willie's grin became
a tight one. I'm not talking. There was a flurry
of sound and movement around the playing tables. Willie sprang up.
(11:55):
Lis Moffs agreed to a draw. He informed him a
moment later, fuck gangster, gangster, because he put you in
equal first place with but Binnick, both of you ahead
of the machine. Great inquired gently. Ah, he could have
beat Betty, given me so first, a rushing gangster. Doc
(12:18):
shook a finger. Lee Smoff could also have lost stuvat
bidd Nick Willie putting you in second place. Don't think
evil thoughts. So long, pals. As Angler clattered down the stairs,
Simon grat signed the waiter for more coffee, lit a
fresh cigarette, took a deep dragon, leaned back. You know,
(12:39):
he said, it's a great relief not to have to
impersonate the hyper confident programmer for a while. Being a
psychologist has spoiled me for that sort of thing. I'm
not as good as I once was at beating people
over the head with my ego. You didn't do too badly,
Doc said, thanks. Actually, ABM is very much pleased with
(13:02):
the machine's performance. The machine's flaws made it seem more
real and more newsworthy, especially how it functioned when the
going got tough. Those repairs the boys made under time
pressure in your games Civilli will help sell WBM computers
or I miss my guess. In fact, nobody could have
(13:23):
watched the tournament for long without realizing there were nine smart,
rugged men out there ready to kill that computer if
they could. The machine passed a real test, and then
the whole deal dramatizes what computers are and what they
can and can't do, and not just at the popular level.
The WBM research boys are learning a lot about computer
(13:46):
and programming theory by studying how the machine and its
programmers behave under tournament stress. It's a kind of test
unlike that provided by any other computer work. Just this morning,
for instance, one of our big mathematicians told me that
he is beginning to think that the theory of games
does apply to chess, because you can bluff and counterbluff
(14:08):
with your programming. And I'm learning about human psychology, Doc chuckled,
such as that even human thinking is just a matter
of how you program your own mind. That we're all
like the machine to that extent, that's one of the
big points, Civilly, Yes, Doc smiled at Sandra, you wrote
(14:30):
a nice little news story, dear about how man conquered
the machine by a palpitating nose, and one of victory
for international enmity. Now the story starts to go deeper.
A lot of things go deeper, Sandral replied, looking at
him evenly, much deeper than even you ever expected. The
start the big electric scoreboard lit up. Final standing player
(14:55):
Angler wins six losses three what Binnick wins losses three,
Joll wins five and a half, losses three and a half,
Machine wins five and a half losses three and a half.
Leasmoff wins five losses four, Serh wins four and a half,
(15:16):
losses four and a half, Sharewski wins four and a half,
losses four and a half, Jendorff wins three and a half,
losses five and a half, Krakataur wins two and a half,
losses six and a half. Rabo wins two losses seven.
It was a good tournament, Doc said, and the machine
(15:37):
has proven itself a grand master. It must make you
feel good, Simon, after being out of tournament chess for
twenty years. The psychologist nodded, will you go back to
psychology now? Sandra asked him, Simon great smiled, I can
answer that question, honestly, miss Grayling, because the news is
(15:58):
due for release. No WBM is pressing for entry of
the machine in the Interzonal Candidates tournament. They want to
crack at the World's Championship. Doc raised his eyebrows. That's news, indeed.
But look, Simon, with the knowledge you've gained in this tournament,
won't you be able to make the machine almost a
(16:20):
sure winner in every game? I don't know. Players like
Angler and Lisamoff may find some more flaws in the
functioning and dream up some new stratagems. Besides, there's another
solution to the problems raised by having a single computer
entered in a grand master tournament. Doc sat up straight.
You mean having more programmer computer teams than just one. Exactly.
(16:46):
The Russians are bound to give their best players computers,
considering the prestige the game has in Russia. And I
wasn't asking Willie that question about IBM, just on a hunch.
Chess tournaments are a one wonderful way to test rival
computers and show them off to the public, just like
cross country races were for the early automobiles. The future
(17:09):
grand master will inevitably be a programmer computer team, a
man machine's symbiotic partnership, probably with more freedom each way
than I was allowed in this tournament. I mean the
man taking over the play in some positions the machine
and others. You're making my head swim, Sandra said, mine
is in the same storm, tossed ocean. Doc assured her
(17:32):
Diamond that will be very refined for the master who
can get themselves computers, either from their governments or from
hiring out to big firms, or in other ways. Gendorf,
I am sure will be able to interest some Argentinian
millionaire in a computer for him, while I how I
am too old still when I start to think about it.
(17:55):
But what about the Bella Grabbos. Incidentally, did you know
they grab is contesting Jendorf's win claims Jendorf discussed the
position with Sarrih. I think they exchanged about two words.
Simon shrugged. The Bella Grabos will have to continue to
fight their own battles, if necessary, satisfying themselves with the
(18:17):
lesser tournaments. Believe me, Civilly, from now on, grandmaster chess
without one or more computers entered will lax sauce. Doctor
Krakatower shook his head and said, thinking gets more expensive
every year. From the floor came the harsh voice of
Igor Jhandorf and the shrill one of Bella Grabo. Raised
(18:40):
in anger. Three words came through clearly. I challenge you,
Sandra said, well, there's something you can't build into a
machine EGO. Oh, I don't know about that, said Simon
Grat end of Part five, end of The sixty four
(19:02):
Square Meth House by Fritz Laber
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