During the past week, Junior took part in the 17th world computer chess championships held in Pamplona Spain.
After a brilliant start it conceded an unexpected draw against Equinox of Italy. In the final round held today, Junior played with black against the leader, Rybka. Prior to the round, Rybka held a half a point lead over Junior, thus only a win would make us champions…
Accordingly, Junior was deliberately set with a high contempt factor to avoid a draw. In a very complicated game, a doubled edged position was reached, where Junior could obtain a draw. However, due to the setting, Junior preferred to ignore it, and tried to win the game at all costs. Eventually it lost and Rybka retained the title.
Never the less, we are still happy with Junior’s performance (5 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss) especially with its win against Hiarcs.
Junior – Hiarcs
17th World Computer Chess Championship
Pamplona, Spain (4), 12.05.2009
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3 e6 7.g4 b5 8.Bg2 Bb7 9.0-0 Nfd7 10.f4 b4 11.Nce2 Nc5 12.Be3 Bxe4 13.a3 bxa3 14.b4 Bxg2 15.Kxg2 Na4 16.Ng3 d5 17.f5 e5 18.Rxa3 Nb2 19.Qf3 Qd7 20.f6 g6 21.Re1 Nc4 22.Rd3 Qb7 23.Ndf5 gxf5 24.Rxd5 Qc6 25.Nxf5 Nd7 26.Bc5 Rc8 27.Red1 Rc7 28.Qe4 Bxc5 29.bxc5 Rg8 30.Kh2 Qxf6 31.Qxc4 Rg5 32.Qe4 1-0
Report by Shay Bushinsky
How come no Fritz?
FRITZ is in brand-defence mode, a stance not unfamiliar to this blog.
To second Shay’s remarks, there have been lots of really positive comments on the web about the ‘human nature’ of the smooth JUNIOR-HIARCS win, including the losers.
The chess at the World Computer Chess Championship must be the best chess played ever (and not just by RYBKA) – the pgn of all the games is on the ICGA WCCC website – enjoy!