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Behind Deep Blue: Building the Computer That Defeated the World Chess Champion
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Behind Deep Blue: Building the Computer That Defeated the World Chess Champion Paperback - 2004

by Feng-Hsiung Hsu

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"Behind Deep Blue" is not just another tale of man versus machine. This fascinating book tells how man as genius (chess champion Gary Kasparov) was given an ultimate, unforgettable run for his mind--not by the genius of a computer, but of man as toolmaker.

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From the publisher

On May 11, 1997, as millions worldwide watched a stunning victory unfold on television, a machine shocked the chess world by defeating the defending world champion, Garry Kasparov. Written by the man who started the adventure, Behind Deep Blue reveals the inside story of what happened behind the scenes at the two historic Deep Blue vs. Kasparov matches. This is also the story behind the quest to create the mother of all chess machines. The book unveils how a modest student project eventually produced a multimillion dollar supercomputer, from the development of the scientific ideas through technical setbacks, rivalry in the race to develop the ultimate chess machine, and wild controversies to the final triumph over the world's greatest human player.

In nontechnical, conversational prose, Feng-hsiung Hsu, the system architect of Deep Blue, tells us how he and a small team of fellow researchers forged ahead at IBM with a project they'd begun as students at Carnegie Mellon in the mid-1980s: the search for one of the oldest holy grails in artificial intelligence--a machine that could beat any human chess player in a bona fide match. Back in 1949 science had conceived the foundations of modern chess computers but not until almost fifty years later--until Deep Blue--would the quest be realized.

Hsu refutes Kasparov's controversial claim that only human intervention could have allowed Deep Blue to make its decisive, "uncomputerlike" moves. In riveting detail he describes the heightening tension in this war of brains and nerves, the "smoldering fire" in Kasparov's eyes. Behind Deep Blue is not just another tale of man versus machine. This fascinating book tells us how man as genius was given an ultimate, unforgettable run for his mind, no, not by the genius of a computer, but of man as toolmaker.

First line

In late April 1997, posters for an unusual chess event were appearing on the streets of New York.

From the jacket flap

"Feng-hsiung Hsu, who masterminded Kasparov's match play defeat by a computer, tells his story. A nerdy book might be expected, delving into arcane topics (computer chip design, programming, chess), but instead we have something more like 'Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail.' No specialist knowledge is demanded. The author's adventures with phantom queens, etc. are fascinating. His will-to-win matched that of the legendary Kasparov."--Ken Whyld, Editor of the "Oxford Companion to Chess

"I don't play chess; never have. Most research, as Edison said, is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration--not exciting to watch. Thus, I did not have high hopes for "Behind Deep Blue. Wrong! It's a page-turner! Even if you don't follow the technical details of chip design or chess, Hsu has captured the very human dimension exquisitely! It's a great story!"--William A. Wulf, President of the National Academy of Engineering, AT&T Professor of Computer Science, University of Virginia

Details

  • Title Behind Deep Blue: Building the Computer That Defeated the World Chess Champion
  • Author Feng-Hsiung Hsu
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: 06911
  • Pages 320
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Princeton University Press, Ewing, New Jersey, U.s.a.
  • Publication date March 1, 2004
  • ISBN 9780691118185 / 0691118183
  • Weight 0.94 lbs (0.43 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.25 x 6 x 0.67 in (23.50 x 15.24 x 1.70 cm)
  • Category Computers - General Information
  • Dewey Decimal Code 794.172

About the author

Feng-hsiung Hsu is the founding father of the Deep Blue project. He began it in 1985 as a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University. From 1989 to 1997 he worked as the system architect and chip designer for the Deep Blue Chess machine at IBM's T. J. Watson Research Center. He is now a senior researcher at Microsoft Research Asia.

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