> The impact of computer chess on the game — as still played by humans — has been twofold. First, computers have helped to flatten chess, increasing pure unders

> The impact of computer chess on the game — as still played by humans — has been twofold. First, computers have helped to flatten chess, increasing pure understanding of the game at the expense of creativity, mystery, and dynamism. Second, they have become intertwined with every aspect of chess, from play at the highest level to amateur study and the spectator’s experience. This speaks more about the players than computers. It is still very possible to play ‘human’ chess at an extremely high level. Look at the number of London systems at the top level, the way Carlsen decides to play a Czech Benoni against a lesser grandmaster. He won that game out of human skill, not computer mastery. The human element of chess is alive and well. The computerisation of chess started to sky rocket when computers and humans were at similarish playing strengths. As computers have far overtaken humans at chess now, I think chess will start to humanise itself once more.