This girl surely is talented! I have never seen this before: playing like a complete beginner and five months later playing like a real pro!

I tend to be suspicious of couputer-cheating in such cases, but sometimes the progree is real. Take a look at Robin's progress in both Twixt and Amazons. In neither of those games, I believe, is a competent game-playing program available.

I believe the computer is pretty good at amazons, but I'm not aware of twixt playing programs. But with Robin, there's no doubt: that guy loves board games too much to use AI-aid. Btw, Robin's graphs look pretty natural to me…

Fast improvement with reversi is possible, but it's rarely seen without hardly any losses on the way to the top, like we see with the talented girl.

In Robin's case there is no doubt that all is human based skill. He is one of the most established otb othello players in Europe. If you look at his profile you will see a picture of Robin playing the 2002 World champion in othello - the picture could be this year's game that Robin actually won. Btw Robin is the guy with glasses :)))

As for Klaashaas comment I feel that there is no doubt what is happening. The advantage of othello is that there are not that many players around and most players “know” each other. Sooner or later the computer aided players are exposed.

And in question: if she gets in the top 10 will she play in the reversi 1st league?

It is in the kind of the game, that sometimes you will play almost a perfect game, but not that much in a row. And sometimes you make the biggest mistakes, in which case I can punch my self.

No, agoui, Robin is the guy without glasses.

nah, don't beleive you :) And he used to look better when he had a beard……

He cut it off, because taking care of it every morning took too much time. It was more than one meter and Santa Clause was jealous of it.

On the picture I am the one without the glasses. I'm playing with white and losing. Rumours about me having a beard are greatly exaggerated. :)

Robin (Looking forward to the 3rd Twixt Chamionship)

tss tss tss… the things some people say to steal Shaman's good looks!!!!!

Check game #94595

So far the game sequence is exactly like the game between Williams and Seeley at the US Nationals 2003.

I am still in my book, but that won't last long. In this opening there are many traps for black to worsen his or her situation and the moves the prevent that are not very logical. As far as I know this is not in the standard Zebra openingsbook, although it is in mine, as I like this very much and does not expect many players to play this.

And finally one request: please be quiet about this opening until the WOC is over. I am planning to play this one.

I recommend not to play this opening against Mathias Berg. He used to play it a lot too (and may be still playing it).