May, 1997: The IBM Chess Challenge rematch

IBM's Deep Blue and World Chess Champion Gary Kasparov enter the ring for a second time

The gloves are about to go on again. In the far corner is the challenger, IBM's specialized super-powerful parallel computer, Deep Blue. Weighing in at 1.4 tons, and, although not visible, dressed completely in blue, the IBM international computer chess champion specializes in super-sonic speeds and brute force.

In the near corner, dressed in gold, World Chess Champion for 11 consecutive years running, Gary Kasparov. Known for his genius in strategy and his ability to change tactics in mid-stream to outmaneuver an opponent at every turn, Kasparov is thought to be unbeatable.

The two super-giants announced today that they will go head-to-chip at the Equitable Center at 787 Seventh Avenue in New York City from May 3 to May 10, 1997 at "The IBM Chess Challenge Rematch". At stake is a $700,000 prize purse to the winner and $400,000 to the loser.

The upcoming bout promises to be even more exciting and tense than the original match in February of 1996. Then, the two matched wits in the first-ever traditional chess match between man and computer. The match started out with an exciting victory for Deep Blue in game one. Kasparov fought back with a win in game two. Games three and four were draws, before Kasparov claimed match victory with wins in both games five and six. In citing it as one of the most difficult matches of his career, winner Kasparov issued a rematch challenge for 1997 and IBM immediately accepted.

In 1996 this head-to-head combat captured hearts and minds around the world as five to six million hits per day and hundreds of thousands of visitors poured into the special IBM Web site that week in February. At the same time, massive international attention had millions of people glued to television screens and newspapers for eight tense days. People rooting for their heroes seemed to have the sense that much more was at stake then a simple chess tournament.

The 1997 May rematch will be open to the public. Ticket sales will be announced early next year. For new announcements on the rematch as well as comprehensive coverage during the game, stay tuned to www.chess.ibm.com.