The Centaur

In the world of chess the term "Centaur" is becoming quite popular. It is the term used to describe a hybrid human/computer player ie A human who is assisted by a computer program or a computer program that is assisted by a human.
While the concept had been around since computer programs had been developed (although it was more humans helping computers in those days) probably the first "serious" match was between Kasparov and Topalov in Leon, 1998.
These days it is more common to see such events on chess servers (eg Playchess) although less common to see GM's taking part. Indeed the concept is more about who has the best program, as some of the leading Centaurs only use the human part to turn on the computer and start the software.
It is possibly in the area of Correspondence Chess that the idea would work better. Unlike OTB (over the board) chess with its fast time limits, it is not enough to rely on the tactical power of the machine to bring home the point. The subtle positional understanding that computers lack becomes more important as tactics become less so. Of course in International CC the use of computers is allowed, although I know at least one CC official who disputes this.
However in Australia the use of computers are forbidden in CCLA events. Nonetheless at the CCLA Council meeting last weekend I did suggest that the CCLA look at running "Centaur" type events, and the idea is being considered. I would be interested in seeing how many players would take part in such events, and more importantly, whether that thought the experience was better, or worse, than their current CC tournaments.

White: Kasparov, Gary
Black: Topalov, Veselin
Place: Leon, ESP Round: 2 Date: 1998
(Annotations: Shaun Press and The King computer program)
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. c4 Bg7 4. g3 0-0 5. Bg2 c6 6. Nc3 d5 7. cxd5 cxd5 8. Ne5 e6 9. 0-0 Nfd7 10. f4 Nc6 11. Be3 f6 12. Nf3 f5?!
Not only does this move allow White to reoccupy e5 it also rules out the possibility of pawn breaks on e5 or f5. Consequently Black is left with an inflexible position, making it harder for him to generate counterplay.
13. Ne5 Nb6 14. b3 Bd7 15. Qd3 Nc8 16. Bc1 Nxe5 17. dxe5
The King preferred to capture with the f pawn, opening the diagonal for the bishop. Kasparov instead decides his advantage lies on the queenside and the g1-a7 diagonal is more important than the c1-h6
17. ... Rf7 18. Be3 Bc6 19. Rfc1 Qa5 20. a3
Whites advantage begins to grow with the king assessing the position as 0.67 of a pawn in favour of White.
20. ... a6 21. Bd4 Bf8 22. e3 Be8 23. Qd2 Qd8
The passive nature of Black's pieces demonstrates the problems with f5
24. Bf1 Rc7 25. Qb2 Rc6 26. Na4 Rxc1 27. Rxc1
There are a number of celebrated games where one player retreats his pieces to the back of the board before exploding to life, sweeping all before him. This isn't one of them.
27. ... Bc6 28. Nc5 Qe8 29. a4 a5 30. Qc3 Qf7 31. Bb5
A move that The King disapproved of. With the Black bishop serving as a large pawn, it believed that White should hang onto his "good" bishop. However, Kasparov realises that to win the game he needs to open the c file and the Black bishop is in the road.
31. ... Bxb5 32. axb5 h6 33. Na4 Ba3??
While looking good at first, this move loses on the spot. The King took 5 seconds to realise it's shortcomings.
34. Qxc8+!! Rxc8 35. Rxc8+ Kh7 36. b6 1-0
Black cannot save the Queen.