Quantum Computer Simultaneously Wins, Loses Chess Match In Historic Victory, Defeat
For the first time in history, a quantum computer has simultaneously won and lost a chess game against a human player.
The $400 billion dollar “Deeper Blue” system — named in honor of the first computer to beat a human at the game, in 1997 — was developed through a joint venture between IBM and NASA.
Gary Kasparov, who lost to the original Deep Blue over two decades ago, consulted on the project. He says he was “hugely impressed” and “beyond disappointed” with the results. “Deeper [Blue] was a success. It has conclusively shown the strength of quantum computing and put doubters to shame. It has also lost, arguably wasted $400 billion and should be left on the scrap heap and never spoken of again. Like the Sega Dreamcast, or the Dyson Selfsuck.”
The system’s opponent in the exhibition, grandmaster Imani Johnson, congratulated the developers, gloated on Instagram and retired from the game after her record-shattering loss.
She later issued a statement:
“It was an honor to defeat the fastest computer in the world, though I must say its blowout, heartbreaking victory overshadows that win to some degree.”
