Kasparov vs Deep Blue
The game that changed everything — when the greatest human chess player fell to a machine in their historic 1997 rematch.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Deep Blue (IBM) vs Garry Kasparov (1997)
Event: Man vs Machine Match, New York (Game 6) | Result: 1-0
Professor Archer says: I was watching this game live on the internet — one of the first major chess events people could follow online. When Kasparov resigned after just 19 moves, there was a collective gasp. It was not just a chess game ending. It was the end of an era. The greatest human player had been defeated by a machine, and nothing in chess would ever be quite the same.
The Rematch That Shook the World
In 1996, Garry Kasparov defeated Deep Blue 4-2 in their first match, though the computer managed to win Game 1 — the first time a reigning world champion lost to a computer under tournament conditions. IBM went back to the drawing board, significantly upgrading Deep Blue's hardware and chess knowledge.
The 1997 rematch in New York City was front-page news worldwide. It was billed as the ultimate contest between human intelligence and machine calculation. Kasparov was the highest-rated player in history, and Deep Blue could evaluate 200 million positions per second. By the time they sat down for Game 6, the match was tied 2.5-2.5.
Game 6: A Shocking Collapse
Kasparov played the Caro-Kann Defense as Black, a solid and reliable opening. But Deep Blue surprised him on move 8 with the bold knight sacrifice Nxe6, a speculative piece sacrifice designed to expose the Black king. Kasparov accepted the sacrifice but struggled to consolidate under the pressure of the machine's precise follow-up play.
What shocked the chess world was not just that Kasparov lost, but how he lost. The game lasted only 19 moves. Kasparov appeared rattled and resigned in a position that, while difficult, was not yet hopeless. Some analysts believe he could have fought on, but the psychological pressure of the match had taken its toll.
The rapid collapse of the greatest chess player in history sent shockwaves through both the chess and technology communities. It was a watershed moment in the history of human-machine interaction.
The Critical Knight Sacrifice
The pivotal moment came with 8. Nxe6, a bold piece sacrifice by Deep Blue. The idea was to disrupt Black's king position and generate attacking chances. Kasparov accepted the sacrifice but struggled to find the right defensive setup under immense pressure.
This position illustrates a key theme of the match: Deep Blue's willingness to play speculative sacrifices that put enormous practical pressure on the human defender, requiring precise calculation under time constraints.
After 8. Nxe6 — Deep Blue's bold knight sacrifice that put Kasparov under pressure.
The Aftermath
Deep Blue's victory in Game 6 clinched the match 3.5-2.5, making it the first time a computer defeated a reigning world champion in a full match. The result was celebrated by IBM as a triumph of technology and mourned by chess purists who saw it as an end to human supremacy in the game.
Kasparov was visibly shaken and later accused IBM of cheating, suggesting that human grandmasters had intervened during the games. IBM denied the allegations, and the machine was retired shortly after the match, denying Kasparov a rematch.
Regardless of the controversy, the match transformed how chess players think about the game. Computers became essential training tools, and the era of engine-assisted preparation began. Today, every top player uses computer analysis to prepare, and the game is richer for it.
Lessons for Modern Players
The Kasparov-Deep Blue match teaches us several important lessons. First, psychology matters enormously in chess. Kasparov's Game 6 collapse was as much psychological as it was tactical — he was playing scared, and it showed in his moves.
Second, objective evaluation beats intuition in concrete positions. Deep Blue did not "understand" chess the way Kasparov did, but its ability to calculate variations without error was decisive in sharp, tactical positions.
Third, and most importantly, the match showed that chess is deeper than any single player — human or machine — can fully comprehend. Rather than diminishing the game, computers revealed layers of complexity that continue to fascinate us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Kasparov vs Deep Blue considered a masterpiece?
While Game 6 was not a masterpiece of chess play, it is considered a historic landmark because it marked the first time a computer defeated a reigning world champion in a full match. The game changed the relationship between humans and computers in chess forever.
What opening was played in Kasparov vs Deep Blue Game 6?
Kasparov played the Caro-Kann Defense as Black. Deep Blue surprised him on move 8 with a bold knight sacrifice Nxe6 that put immense pressure on Kasparov's position, and he was unable to find the right defensive setup.
Who won Kasparov vs Deep Blue?
Deep Blue (IBM), playing White, won Game 6 and clinched the 1997 match with a score of 3.5-2.5. Kasparov resigned after just 19 moves in a shocking collapse that sent shockwaves through both the chess and technology communities.
What key tactic or theme decided Kasparov vs Deep Blue?
The game was decided by Deep Blue's bold knight sacrifice on e6 and the immense practical pressure it created. Kasparov was unable to find the right defensive setup and resigned after just 19 moves in what was widely seen as a psychological collapse under the weight of the match situation.
Professor Archer says: Some of my students ask whether computers beating humans made chess pointless. I tell them the opposite is true. Humans play chess for the beauty, the struggle, the growth. Computers taught us that chess is even deeper than we imagined, and they have made human players stronger than ever before.
Quick Quiz
What was the final match score of the 1997 Kasparov vs Deep Blue rematch?
- Kasparov won 4-2 - Kasparov won the first match in 1996 by that score, but lost the 1997 rematch.
- Deep Blue won 3.5-2.5 (Correct) - Correct. Deep Blue won the 1997 match 3.5-2.5, making it the first computer to defeat a reigning world champion in a full match.
- It was a tie at 3-3 - The match was not tied. Deep Blue won 3.5-2.5, clinching the match with its Game 6 victory.
- Deep Blue won 5-1 - The match was much closer than that. Deep Blue won 3.5-2.5 in a tightly contested six-game match.