Supercomputer checks chess grandmaster

UPDATE--Chess supercomputer Hydra took advantage of human weakness to beat Britain's top chess player Michael Adams in Game 3 of their six-game match worth $150,000 in prize money.

After Wednesday's grueling five and a half hour draw, a worn-out Adams resigned in a relatively short third game on Thursday. Not surprisingly, supercomputer didn't appear to be the least bit tired. Hydra now leads with 2 and a half points to one-half point for Adams.

The Hydra team refused to gloat saying they weren't out to expose human frailties but to improve the game of chess according to the tournament site. Adams fears that the supercomputer is learning and adapting quickly. Check out the game notes.

In the opening game Adams got soaked by Hydra, which possesses the computing power of 200 average home PCs, in just 33 moves. But he rebounded to force a draw in Game 2 after 65 moves. In notes on the tournament site, Hydra's chief programmer, Chirlly Donninger, said the game favored Adams and was very difficult for Hydra.

The final three games will be played from June 25 to 27 at the Wembley Conference Center in London. The winner of each game receives $25,000 while a draw nets $10,000 for each player. The Hyrda team has won $60,000 and Adams $10,000.

The moves from all games can be seen at the tournament site.