Anand blitzed by Rebel

NAPLES, July 22: Rebel, the Pentium-powered Dutch chess programme outclassed world No 2 human Viswanathan Anand 4.5-1.5 in rapid chess ga...

NAPLES, July 22: Rebel, the Pentium-powered Dutch chess programme outclassed world No 2 human Viswanathan Anand 4.5-1.5 in rapid chess games of the eight-match exhibition tie in Ischia Islands near here last night.

Grandmaster Anand, who otherwise is at ease with the machines, could not come to terms with astonishing speed with which Rebel made its moves in the first four blitz games (five minutes a side).

The computer took a winning 3-0 lead and looked set to repeat its last year’s

performance when it blew away Artur Yusupov of Germany to lead 4-0, but Anand salvaged some pride for himself when he showed better reflexes and quick eye to win a game.

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Anand, playing white, opted for English opening and for once, Rebel had to bow down to human intelligence in 33 moves as Anand out-calculated it to win two bishops for a rook and forced resignation.

In the two semi-rapid games (15 minutes a side), Rebel was again on top. The machine made a brilliant 18th move to snatch advantage from Anand. Though theIndian had a rook and pawn for minor pieces, Anand had to work hard and wasted time for every moves and lost on time after 28 moves.

In game six, Anand pushed hard for a win and was a pawn up when time ran out and he had to settle for a 42-move draw.

Though, Rebel has taken winning lead in the eight-match series, the remaining two classical games (without time control) will decide who holds supremacy, man or the machine.