# computer chess programs achilles' heel
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 17, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626 "2003-11-17T02:47:39Z")
**Posts on this page:** 8
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/1 "2003-11-17T02:47:39Z")
…is that it uses the same computer as the SDMB?
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### Author:  [@Catalyst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Catalyst)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/2 "2003-11-17T02:52:27Z")
. . . is the power cable. Take that, Deep Blue!
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### Author:  [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/3 "2003-11-17T04:41:36Z")
… it was programmed by someone who only knows how to play “Chutes and Ladders”
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### Author:  [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/4 "2003-11-17T05:16:45Z")
…is that the program’s mother got scared away before she could completely dip the computer in the River Styx.
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### Author:  [@Joe\_Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joe_Random)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/5 "2003-11-17T05:59:09Z")
. . . is that it’s subject to being bullied by the _cool_ games (Half Life, Quake, Doom, etc…) for playing chess. In fact, the only time it gets a break is when the popular games decide to pick on a D&D game instead.
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### Author:  [@buckgully](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buckgully)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/6 "2003-11-17T06:08:23Z")
Intrestingly enough, it is in fact the heel.
The hard part is finding it.
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### Author:  [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/7 "2003-11-17T06:51:25Z")
… is b4.
[sub](It is true!!! but you have to use Pocket chess 1.1 in your Palm Pilot or Clie. It is fun because the program always replies Nc6. After you move b5 the knight has to escape a prolonged pawn and other pieces’ attracts, losing time and position.)[/sub]
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### Author:  [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-chess-programs-achilles-heel/213626/8 "2003-11-17T07:47:28Z")
**myles** , the hamsters ate your OP. Care to try again?
bibliophage
moderator GQ