If you test a computer's power to "think" by making it play chess, it
earns an A+ grade.  It will be remembered that Deep Blue, a computer
program, defeated Garry Kasparov, the world chess champion, in a
recent match.

But test a computer that has been taught to play bridge, and the
result is different.  Matt Ginsberg, a professor of artificial
intelligence at the University of Oregon and an expert bridge player,
has created GIB, which stands for Ginsberg's Intelligent Bridgeplayer.
It proved itself the best of its kind when several programs competed
against each other in Chicago in July.

But when it is tested against human experts, its strengths and
weaknesses quickly emerge.  It is superb in play and defense that
hinge on analysis that can be dealt with mathematically.  But it has
trouble when it has to solve more human problems involving language,
partnership, communication and judgment.  So far, it deserves a B+
grade.

GIB was in its element in Lille, France, in August, when it competed
in the World Par Contest.  There it had to handle 12 fiendishly
difficult deals, and at the midpoint the computer was in the lead,
ahead of 31 world-class human performers.  It fell back to finish
12th, still a respectable performance.  One of its successes was on
the diagrammed deal, which it solved in five minutes -- better than
nearly all the humans.

			S  A J 8 5 2
			H  J T 9 8 7 6
			D  9 6
			C  ---

	S  Q T 9 8 3			  S  4
	H  ---				  H  5 4 3 2
	D  A K T 4			  D  8 7 5 3 2
	C  A Q T 6			  C  K 9 2

			S  K 7
			H  A K Q
			D  Q J
			C  J 8 7 5 4 3

South deals.  Neither side is vulnerable.  The bidding:

	       South	West	North	East
	       1NT	2S	Dbl	Pass
	       Pass	2NT	4D	Pass
	       4H	Pass	Pass	Pass

West led the diamond ace.

South was in four hearts after a revealing auction.  West has bid
spades, and retreated when doubled to two no-trump, showing both minor
suits.  Four diamonds by North was a transfer to hearts.

West wins two diamond tricks and shifts to a low club.  South ruffs
to dummy, crosses to the spade king and ruffs another club.  Now comes
the key play: a low spade.

If West wins this, South will crossruff to make his game.  East must
therefore ruff and lead a trump.  South wins, ruffs another club, and
reaches this position:

			S  A J 8 
			H  J T 
			D  ---
			C  ---

	S  Q T 9 			  S  ---
	H  ---				  H  5 4
	D  T				  D  8 7 5
	C  A 				  C  ---

			S  ---
			H  A K
			D  ---
			C  J 8 7

The spade ace is led and East must ruff.  South overruffs, ruffs
another club, and draws the missing trump.  Two club winners score at
the finish.

GIB is available for $85, including shipping, from Baron Barclay
Bridge Supplies, at (800) 274-2221.

[Note: It's available from us as well!]