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Published online 19 July 2007 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news070716-13

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Checkmate for checkers

Computer program is unbeatable at English draughts.

Long-time world checkers champion Marion Tinsley consistently bested all comers, losing only nine games in the 40 years following his 1954 crowning. He lost his world championship title to a computer program in 1994 and now that same program has become unbeatable; its creators have proved that even a perfectly played game against it will end in a draw.

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