Around the Nation

NEW YORK

‘Virtual reality’ match begins

NEW YORK — Chess czar Gary Kasparov yesterday took his “man versus machine” challenge into cyberspace when he started a series against the computer X3D Fritz without a chessboard.

The Russian-American is playing four games against X3D Fritz at the New York Athletic Club, but he is resigned to the fact that soon chess grandmasters will stand no chance against computers.

Mr. Kasparov, 40, is wearing 3-D glasses, gazing at a chessboard that appears to float in the air, dictating the movements of his pieces with voice commands.

The International Computer Games Association and the United States Chess Federation are presenting the first chess challenge fought “in total virtual reality.”

ILLINOIS

Chief Illiniwek faces retirement

URBANA — The debate over the University of Illinois’ Chief Illiniwek mascot will get another airing tomorrow when the school’s trustees consider a resolution calling for his retirement.

If the resolution comes to a vote, it will be the first on the issue since 1990, when the board voted 6-1 to retain the symbol.

The resolution is being presented at a time when there are four new board members, all appointed by Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich. The resolution may indicate that those new members want to decide the issue, university spokesman Tom Hardy said.

Opponents argue that the symbol is degrading to American Indians. Supporters say the 75-year-old mascot honors the American Indians who inhabited Illinois.

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