Hacker News Reader

Comment by goldenkey | Hacker News Reader

There's nothing super special about an amazing chess player that would let them check mate you in 9 movies unless you play horrendously. Grand Masters are not super heros of chess. They are 'comprehensive.' Lets be real rather than gaudy.

I should mention that I am a chess master and have played GMs online.

View on HN

Having only two minutes on the clock and an opponent who plays really quickly would unnerve any inexperienced player and turn them quite easily into a horrendous player, IMHO.

This. Bill is a smart guy but that doesn't mean he played impressively well at all.

Yeah, this looks like it was filmed live during a talk show. I highly doubt there was any interest from anyone involved, especially the audience, for a lengthy game.

If an amateur had 10 hours to think about each move of a chess game, and the GM he was playing against had 1 second for each move (and couldn't think on the amateur's time), the GM would still _crush_ the amateur. GMs kind of are super heroes of chess.

(it is true though that 9 moves is a silly short game. most amateurs would last longer)

That is simply incorrect. A GM can perhaps give a strong amateur (2000+) 1 to 5 time odds, maybe 1 to 7, in under a minute time controls. Larger odds would be arrogant, foolish or even suicidal, depending on the specific GM (rating, opening repertoire, etc.)

By amateur I was imagining ~1500. If in chess circles "amateur" means "anyone other than a master/grandmaster", then my statement as written is probably false!

Have you ever played against a formidable electronic opponent? I've heard they sometimes use unusual tactics.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com