Amazing Chess Engine Battle - Houdini's "Immortal game"

Hi all

Here is one of Houdini's immortal games from 2011. It had a faster depth search than other engines at the time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWdMqvGMxF4

Aggressive g5 in the opening

Not minding the Queen's coming off

Seems very logical to undouble the pawns

White is a pawn up but black has good dynamic compensation

https://lichess.org/study/GdLcW6eh/EhbaoAlt#28

Another pawn sacrifice!

Black although two pawns down has the dreaded "Minority attack" in mind to attack White's pawn structure

The structural attack is difficult to meet especially with the White King in the center

Black is three pawns down but has tremendous dynamic compensation

A painful pin indeed

Getting a piece now for pawns

White's 'a' pawn is safely blockaded - it is now a matter of technique

Final position

Bonus video - Houdini and Rybka talk about the old days of computer chess

https://youtu.be/xyPTQLgyMJA

Key takeaway points

• Engine chess games are sometimes mega-exciting
• Pawn sacrifices create more dynamic potential often for the pieces
• You can still carry out a calm structural attack like a "minority attack" when pawns down
• The King in the center can lead to nasty pins
• This was the "Houdini" immortal for me at the time
• You can check my computer playlist on youtube at https://kingscrusher.tv/computers

Want to go further? Explore all my online chess courses at https://www.chessworld.net/online-chess-courses.asp – learn openings, tactics, strategy, and more.

Cheers, K