Description
Springer One Jump Ahead Challenging Human Supremacy In Checkers 1997 Edition by Jonathan Schaeffer
The new edition of this extraordinary book tells of the creation of the world champion checkers computer program Chinook. In only two years Chinook had become a worthy opponent to the world champion and within four years had defeated all the world's top human players. Jonathan Schaeffer the originator and leader of the Chinook team provides an engrossing account of failures and successes. He describes the human story behind the program and his own feelings in learning from mistakes and technical problems in a continuous effort to improve Chinook's performance.Beginning in 1988 we follow the development of Chinook from an innocent question asked over lunch through to the final match against then world champion Marion Tinsley and ultimately to its recent triumph perfecting checkers. As the story unfolds readers are introduced to its key figures and to the rules of checkers and the basics of computer game programs. As a result all those interested in computing and games will enjoy this book. Table of contents : Marion Tinsley World checkers champion This extraordinary book tells the story of the creation of the world champion checkers computer program Chinook. From its beginnings in 1988 Chinook became a worthy opponent to the world champion by 1990 and by 1992 had defeated all the world's top human players. In this fascinating account Jonathan Schaeffer the originator and leader of the Chinook team provides an engrossing story of failures and successes. He describes the human story behind the program and his own feelings in learning from mistakes and technical problems in a continuous effort to improve Chinook's performance. Over the ten year period beginning in 1988 we follow the development of Chinook from an innocent question asked over lunch through to the final match against the then world champion Marion Tinsley. As the story unfolds readers are introduced to the rules of checkers and the basics of computer game programs as well as to the key figures of the story. As a result all those interested in computing and games will enjoy this book. " Schaeffer's personal involvement in the Chinook project along with his engaging and open story-telling makes the book surprisingly gripping." A.K. Dewdney