What it teaches
In 1996 Garry Kasparov beat IBM's Deep Blue in a match; in 1997 he lost the rematch, a moment that became a landmark in the history of computing. In Deep Thinking, written with Mig Greengard, Kasparov tells the full story from his side: the history of chess computers, the build-up to the matches, the controversies, and his changing views about what happened.
The book then widens into a thoughtful discussion of artificial intelligence and the relationship between humans and machines, arguing that the future lies in humans and machines working together rather than competing.
Who it's for
Anyone interested in chess history, technology or artificial intelligence. No deep chess knowledge is needed, though players will enjoy the inside view.
How to get the most from it
Read it alongside Game Changer to see how chess AI evolved from Deep Blue's brute-force search to AlphaZero's self-taught play. If you play, look up the Deep Blue games themselves and play through them; knowing the story behind each game makes the moves far more interesting.
Key takeaways
- The Deep Blue matches were a turning point in the history of AI.
- Human creativity and machine calculation complement each other.
- Technology changes how we learn and play games.
- Kasparov's views on the matches evolved over time.
Read next
See how AI chess evolved further in Game Changer, and read Kasparov on decision-making in How Life Imitates Chess.
