INTERVIEW1

        During this week of the much acclaimed GM Kasparov - Deep Blue match
it has been a pleasure to conduct an interview with one of America's more
unique, illustrious, and friendly Grandmasters. First however, let's take
a peek at a remarkable (and on-going!) career.
        Walter S. Browne was born in Sydney, Australia January 10, 1949.
His early major successes include:
* 1966, U.S. Junior Champion
* 1969, placing 2nd at San Juan, P.R., achieving GM title
* 1971, U.S. Open Champion; 1st at Venice ahead of Hort, Gligoric, 
        Radulov, Kavalek, etc.
* 1972, U.S. Open Champion ahead of Larsen
* 1972, and 1973, National Open Champion
* 1973, World Open Champion
* 1974, U.S. Champion
        Further, GM Browne has won the US Championship six times, the National
Open ten times, the North American Open three times, and the American Open
six times. Walter's exploits in International competition include wins in:
* 1980, Wijk Ann Zee, ahead of Korchnoi and Seirawan
* 1981, Chile
* 1982, Indonesia (a 26 player round robin!)
* 1983, NY Open, Gjovik, Norway (cat 13)
* 1985, Naestved, Denmark, (cat 13)
as well as
* 1990, 2nd best result for team in Iceland
* 1994, 2nd in Linares, Mexico (cat 13).
Browne has won more Swiss events than any living player! He is happily
married and resides in Berkeley, California, USA.

carpathian: Walter, how did the World Blitz Chess Association, which many
ICC members enjoy in weekly events, come about?

Walter Browne: Well there was a PROCHESS meeting in 1986 and several of
the players were interested in doing something more to promote chess.
Actually a few like Yasser pledged some money. DeFirmian worked very hard
but gave up a year or two later. When I start something I usually finish
it! Had I any idea about all the work and sacrifice that might be
involved, then I doubt I would have ever started it, but am glad I did.

c: We thank you for that, Sir. Tell us your ideas for some future, major
WBCA events.

WB: As soon as there is sufficient sponsorship a U.S. Invitational Blitz
Championship is a must! A World Championship is also possible. If the ICC
can handle it, a knockout format with 2 or 4 game matches for 256 or 512
is viable. 

c: You have something of a history playing against computers, did you ever
play Deep Blue?

WB: Only Kasparov has played the present version as far as I know. However
when Deep Thought (the Grandfather?) won the Software Toolworks (beating
Fishbein and Larsen on the way) it lost only one game, to yours truly.
That game is a model on how to beat computers. I offer the moves of the
encounter, which was written up in the NY Times by Byrne. {To view this
game do: ex carpa %07} Going way back, I beat a top computer called the
Ostrich as one of my 106 opponents in NY City in 1973! 

c: What are your thoughts about the first four games of Deep Blue -
Kasparov so far?

WB: Definitely the machine is very solid in the opening if rather dull. It
seems to be willing to take bad pieces, and the material that go with
them, or allow activity for material. Mainly, it never tires, and is
always ahead on the clock. Garry is avoiding theory, but he's  finding out
that the computer won't get psyched-out by any unusual opening. I think
main line theory is best as they probably won't have the latest wrinkles.

c: How do you feel you would do against Deep Blue?

WB: Believe it or not, I'd feel quite comfortable vs. Deep Blue as it's
only a fantastic counterpuncher and I don't overextend my position if I
don't need to. I'll keep a slight edge and wear it down in the ending.
Game 4 showed quite well that DB still doesn't understand all. b4?
was horrible, and Garry could have won. If I played there would be many
draws, but with a favorable time control of 40/2.5 and 16/1 hour until
finish I would like my chances.

c: Is that a challenge to the Deep Blue team?

WB: Basically with a $30,000 or more purse I'll play Deep Blue a ten game
match and give draw odds at the time control. I'd want to play each game
to a finish just like Kasparov or Fischer.

c: Speaking of GM Fischer, you wer