Without computer, you are nowhere in the competition

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The game of chess has slowly turned mechanical with computers and dataservices replacing the thinking hat.

But many pioneers still believe the human mind is better when it comes to positional chess, whereas engines are best in tactical combinations and forced variations.

However, they also agree that the game has partly lost its creativity and natural essence due to overdependence on computers.

One of India’s promising young talents and WGM, Padmini Rout puts it aptly: “We let computers to do the thinking.”

In reality, today, the younger generation are more dependent on computers and search engines rather than books and trainers.

Further, the advent of internet has helped them to summon a trainer in seconds through skype and they get their lessons online.

“I begin my work at 5am, taking classes for students in the US and other countries for two hours through skype. I am available online for all my students at any point of time and they can contact me from anywhere to take my guidance. All this is possible only because of development in communication technology,” says GM RB Ramesh, who runs Chess Gurukul.

“We are more or less dependent on computer. We find all the latest games online and it is very important for our preparation. It is also ironical that computer is accurate in its searches and so we more or less lose the human touch,” says Chennai GM B. Adhiban.

But, he also points out that the original strength of a player will be known when the game drifts away from the usual lines and often analysed variations.

“We have to combine the strong points in computer and incorporate the human ideas to enjoy the game better. It is not enough to completely bank on computers,” says IM Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, for whom, the laptop is like second skin.

Serbian IM Roganovic Milos thinks the advancement in internet technology has only made it difficult for the higher-rated payers to win.

“Everyone has access to all the games and so, they do a comprehensive preparation before they play the masters,” he added.

In this world junior championship, Milos defeated top seed GM Matlakov Maxim of Russia with ease, thanks to his preparation overnight.

However, Milos feels getting information from computer will no day be the same as learning from books.

“When you see a variation on the board, you remember it better than visualising from a computer screen,” he adds.

One foreign WGM, who makes it a point to travel with a chess board and pieces despite having a lap top is Tsatsalashvili Keti of Georgia, who actually hates to prepare for a game using a computer.

“I am forced to use one, because, without computer and database you are nowhere in this competition,” she adds. But this 19-year-old, still studies chess using books and enjoys anlysing games played decades earlier.

Former champions too believe the games has changed a lot. “The competitions are totally different today compared to earlier days. The computer is much stronger now and so the game is also harder,” says former world junior champion Bulgarian GM Kiril Georgiev.

Hungarian GM and former world championship candidate Zoltan Robli too feels, things have changed now as access to latest chess games are available at one’s drawing rooms through live feed.

“Earlier, we used to wait for the informats and other books to check on the latest games and novelties. But today, you get the details as soon as the moves are played. So, you only need to be more vigilant and fully aware of the uses of the latest softwares and databases,” he cautions.