Karpov in Germany
                   On 5 December Anatoly Karpov and GM Eric Lobron will play
                   an exhibition match in Walldorf/Germany (near Heidelberg).
                   For the sponsor, the worldwide operating software giant
                   "SAP", it´s not just a chess event, it´s a part of a greater
                   project (11th SAP art exhibition with paintings of an American
                   artist + beautiful chess pieces/collection Rainer Grund). More
                   information (in German) on the homepage of the chess
                   association in Baden.

                   This is part of a tremendous schedule in recent weeks, for
                   instance Karpov was in Moscow, Italy and London just on
                   Thursday! He was in London to launch a Batsford book in
                   association with Disney at the London Chess Centre. This is
                   the first time I've seen him in person and he certainly made a
                   very good impression in his appearance there answering
                   questions from all comers. When Jonathan Manley of Kingpin
                   put the Kasparov quote that Karpov was no longer strong
                   enough to play him in a match Karpov good humouredly
                   pretended not to hear the question (which actually made his
                   point very effectively as he clearly DID hear the question and
                   made sure everyone knew that). He added that he believed
                   Kasparov was now effectively isolated outside FIDE. The most
                   I could get out of him about Kasparov's playing strength was
                   that he was a pretty strong player!
                   http://www.sap.com/germany/index.htm
 

                               by Edward D. Collins

                               "Man versus Machine" it was billed
                               And each day the auditorium filled!
                               An interesting fight -
                               With Garry first to have White
                               Can anyone claim they weren't thrilled?

                               The first game proved Garry still King
                               "Deep Blue hasn't learned anything!"
                               Quickly out of its book
                               It later "won" Garry's Rook
                               Does this thing even belong in the ring?

                               But then Kasparov resigned in Game 2
                               And at the time nobody knew
                               Later shown he could draw
                               Did this stick in his craw?
                               Others may be wondering too!

                               "The printouts!" Kasparov cried
                               "Why was I so flatly denied?"
                               So they were then sealed
                               Only later revealed
                               With one point each this match is now tied!

                               Games 3, 4, and 5 were all drawn
                               Deep Blue did indeed have some brawn!
                               It's now winner take all
                               So don't fumble the ball
                               (Or in our case don't fumble a pawn!)

                               Game 6 was the most startling yet
                               And I'm sure it cost many a bet
                               Deep Blue sacked a Knight
                               Quickly proved this was right
                               And so began all the talk on the "Net"

                               This chess match made worldwide news
                               And most thought that Deep Blue would lose
                               But with its three-and-a-half
                               If you do the math
                               You'll find Garry's the one with the "blues!"

                               No machine has done it 'till now
                               Bested our champion in match play - kapow!
                               While few thought it would
                               Deep Blue proved that it could
                               And Garry is wondering "How?"

                               "I was not in the mood to fight"
                               Said the champ to the press that night
                               "But let this be clear"
                               "I guarantee - do you hear?"
                               "I will tear it to pieces!" - he might!

                               So in New York on the eleventh of May
                               Of '97 - the records will say
                               A machine, no less
                               Sat down to play chess
                               And proved that it really can play!

                               "Rematch" was then heard through the land
                               It is something we ALL should demand
                               For if Deep Blue will square-off
                               One more time with Kasparov
                               The games would be certainly grand!

                               We really have nothing to fear
                               Computers can help us - it's clear
                               And although Deep Blue won
                               And had its day in the sun
                               I think "chess" was the real winner here!