Carlsen plays thousands of games anonymously online

[Sean Evans]

Boston.com: Chess notes

Carlsen plays thousands of games anonymously on line. He wisely declines to play a computer. We have noted that Hikaru Nakamura, the young US grandmaster, who is a potential challenger of Carlsen for world dominance, has made disparaging remarks about the computer. The computer relies to some extent on probabilities, and Nakamura says his second, Kris Littlejohn, advises him when the computer’s choice of moves is wrong. In any event, players must find the answers on their own.

[Albert Silver]

Boston.com: Chess notes

Carlsen plays thousands of games anonymously on line. He wisely declines to play a computer. We have noted that Hikaru Nakamura, the young US grandmaster, who is a potential challenger of Carlsen for world dominance, has made disparaging remarks about the computer. The computer relies to some extent on probabilities, and Nakamura says his second, Kris Littlejohn, advises him when the computer’s choice of moves is wrong. In any event, players must find the answers on their own.

Him, Kasparov, Anand, etc. Nothing new really.

[Roger Brown]

Him, Kasparov, Anand, etc. Nothing new really.

Hello Albert,

Actually I am curious about this point. Being at the opposite end of the scale from persons like yourself, what possible benefit could you - or the GM's listed - obtain from playing dozens of persons like myself online? That would be the chess equivalent of dumbing it down, wouldn't it?



Later.

[Albert Silver]

Him, Kasparov, Anand, etc. Nothing new really.

Hello Albert,

Actually I am curious about this point. Being at the opposite end of the scale from persons like yourself, what possible benefit could you - or the GM's listed - obtain from playing dozens of persons like myself online? That would be the chess equivalent of dumbing it down, wouldn't it?



Later.

The fact that they play anonymously (to the general public) doesn't mean they are taking on anonymous players. I have seen GK take on a number of top players, some of whom are also 'anonymous', though I cannot guarantee they knew it was him.

[Ant_Gugdin]

Can GK still beat top 10 players?

[yanquis1972]

Him, Kasparov, Anand, etc. Nothing new really.

Hello Albert,

Actually I am curious about this point. Being at the opposite end of the scale from persons like yourself, what possible benefit could you - or the GM's listed - obtain from playing dozens of persons like myself online? That would be the chess equivalent of dumbing it down, wouldn't it?



Later.

The fact that they play anonymously (to the general public) doesn't mean they are taking on anonymous players. I have seen GK take on a number of top players, some of whom are also 'anonymous', though I cannot guarantee they knew it was him.

i assume he doesn't play as a guest, but under an anonymous username/usernames, is that correct?

[Albert Silver]

Him, Kasparov, Anand, etc. Nothing new really.

Hello Albert,

Actually I am curious about this point. Being at the opposite end of the scale from persons like yourself, what possible benefit could you - or the GM's listed - obtain from playing dozens of persons like myself online? That would be the chess equivalent of dumbing it down, wouldn't it?



Later.

The fact that they play anonymously (to the general public) doesn't mean they are taking on anonymous players. I have seen GK take on a number of top players, some of whom are also 'anonymous', though I cannot guarantee they knew it was him.

i assume he doesn't play as a guest, but under an anonymous username/usernames, is that correct?

Right, they simply do not identify themselves for who they are, and put aliases and the like. It is nothing new. Several of Kasparov's older aliases are common knowledge nowadays.

[wims]

There's a story about Nigel Short playing somebody supposed to be Bobby Fischer online in a series of anonymous games -> http://www.bobby-fischer.net/Bobby_Fisc ... les51.html

[stevenaaus]

Thanks for that link... Very interesting.

[Ant_Gugdin]

It wasn't Fischer. It was someone using a programme. Fischer denied it was him in a radio interview.