Computer Chess Match to Be Focus of Sciences Alumni Lecture

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Computer chess and the match between Russian world chess champion Gary Kasparov and a computer will be the focus of a lecture to be given at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 21, in Room 210 of the Natural Sciences Complex on the University at Buffalo North (Amherst) Campus.

The lecture, entitled “Can Calculation Beat Thinking? Lessons from the Kasparov -- Deep Blue Chess Match,” is part of the UB Sciences Alumni Association lecture series. It is free and open to the public and geared to both chess enthusiasts and novices.

Kenneth W. Regan, Ph.D., associate professor of computer science, former childhood chess star and holder of the lifetime title of international master from the World Chess Federation, will discuss how computer chess programs work and examine differences in the style of play between computers and humans as demonstrated in his analysis of the six games from the Kasparov-Deep Blue match.

In addition, Regan will discuss the developments in computer chess that led to this unprecedented challenge and give his predictions for the rematch between Kasparov and IBM that will be held in May.

The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics comprises the departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics and Physics.

For further information, please contact Cindy Nydahl at 645-2531.