I was sentenced to 10 years in prison for tampering with computers. The robot judge allowed me to choose where I would serve my sentence. I got to go to Chess Prison. Each cell has a computer screen where you get to play chess against a computer. The rules of the prison stated that we were allowed no communication with the outside. If you beat the computer, you got to go free. This was not a normal computer setup. The screen was built into the wall and it would always show the current position. When it was time to sleep the screen would dim. Each cell also contained a chess set. The library was only chess books. There were simul chess rules. Every prisoner was playing black against the computer that played white. We talked about our games, all of us inmates over meals. There were no rules against communication between inmates because it didn’t matter. The computer was unbeatable by humans.
There has to be an engine out there that can beat this computer. I once thought for 1 month on a move to no avail.
One of the stronger players here looks over the moves of the other players. We’ve reasoned that if all of us are playing well then statistically one of us might beat the Computer. Also, maybe, just maybe, the computer will divide its resources between all of us: if we are all playing well, it will become an overloaded queen, instead of a queen that can take all the pawns.
It’s not only chess here. There is a gym. A lot of us despite our failings take inordinate pride in our bodies. It is something that the Computer doesn’t have. We are not sure where the super computer is located on the premises. With all the brainpower we’ve dedicated to the problem, we think it is deep underground.
Inexplicably, I found a hacksaw blade lying around. When we were all asleep, a robot must have been doing something or another and it replaced the blade of its hacksaw and left the old one lying around. Thank you cosmic ray. Instead of playing chess, I’ve been wedging the blade between the wall and screen, in order to separate the screen from its holding. Maybe I’ll find something behind there.
I’ve managed to separate the screen which has fallen through the back of the wall. There is a hollow. I can look down and it is dark. There is a small space which the cables pass through from below. If I follow the cables back I’ll get to the computer. I manage to squeeze my body in. It is tight. I shimmy my way down.
Other cables bundle together. I’m a child again climbing down rope. I’ve stood upon the cluster. There was a door leading out. I must find the settings. Here they are. I set the difficulty to master level and cover-up my tampering. I climb back up. I replace the screen. My conscience is clear. Surely we will start winning now.