Just a note that the researchers at the University of Alberta have now proved that their computer checkers player, Chinook, is unbeatable. The best anyone can hope to do against it is a draw. Checkers is now solved. I’m not sure how impressive it is that a computer has solved it, its requires the computer to be able to search through enough possible moves to find the correct move every time. It is cool that such a large and complex problem has been tackled, but I think it would be even cooler if the program had learned how to play on its own. Here are some opinions on the news from the New York Times: Is the Only Winning Move Not to Play?