In 1997 the then Chess World Champion Garry Kasparov played a six match tournament against the IBM computer Deep Blue. Twice before Kasparov has taken on computer opponents. On each occasion, Kasparov arguably the greatest chess player ever, had triumphed. Only this time, in an event that shocked the world, he lost. IBM proclaimed a new technological dawn a computer that could out think a human. Kasparov declared foul play.
The documentary purports to be the story of that match but is really a vehicle for Garry Kasparov to expound his conspiracy theory. Namely that he was playing a computer aided by a group of grandmasters.
Whilst Kasparov is given the lions share of the documentary the IBM team behind the development of Deep Blue are interviewed too, detailing the work that went into the design of the super computer. Despite hearing from both sides I was no clearer to knowing whether Kasparov had been the victim of a huge corporate conspiracy or whether he was trying to find an excuse for being outplayed and outfought.
The circumstantial facts are intriguing: the day following Deep Blues success, IBMs stock prices rose 15% Deep Blue was immediately retired, and despite Kasparovs calls for a rematch, never played another game. For all the claims and counter claims, there is a lack of conclusive proof and the documentary team lacks the interrogatory rigour to establish any truth; content merely to present each sides arguments.
The film focuses on the events surround the ill fated match in 1997, however the most interesting part of the film is the story following the match. Kasparov quite clearly has never recovered from losing this match. Even now, years later, the defeat still haunts him. A few years after losing this match, Kasparov after dominating the chess world for 20 years lost his world title. He then embarrassingly lost a rematch of his famous 1980s encounter with Anatoly Karpov. Kasparov face as he stands next to the triumphant Karpov is a picture of bewilderment, shame and existential angst. This footage is inter cut with interviews with Kasparov defiantly declaring that he is ready and able to come back and reclaim his position as the greatest chess players.
Disappointingly this final quarter of an hour lacks any real narrative course. Is it trying to show the psychological damage that defeat inflicted on Kasparov or is it trying to show that his defeat to Deep Blue was really the result of a general decline in his powers? These are yet more interesting questions in a documentary that, sadly, doesnt have as many answers. Nevertheless, Game Over Kasparov and the Machine is a fascinating film but I couldnt help feel that the definitive story has yet to be told.
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