[Mr. Mojo]

Inevitably, there has been renewed speculation about the implications for mankind if the best human player loses again to a computer.

Kasparov isn't the best player anymore; World Champion Vladamir Krammnik holds that distinction.

[Mr. Mojo]

Inevitably, there has been renewed speculation about the implications for mankind if the best human player loses again to a computer.

The author later admits that no such implications - negative ones, at least - exist when he writes, "First, Deep Blue, Deep Junior and their sort are human creations. The real victors, if Mr Kasparov loses again, will not be machines, but the humans who designed and built them."

[Sawdring]

I suppose everyone knows the former but not the latter.

[jgorris]

Sorry Mojo, but Kasparov is still the highest rated player in the history of the rating system. While it is true that Kramnik holds a title of World Champion, having defeated Garry in a title match, it is not the FIDE title (which is held by Ruslan Ponomariov of the Ukraine). Furthermore, Garry has a plus score against Kramnik in the overall match of all games played. In fact, he recently defeated Kramnik in a match (the Botvinnik Memorial). So the facts do not support your assertion are that Kramnik is the better player.