Groundbreaking chess-playing computer

IBM was more than happy to introduce their chess-playing computer, Deep Blue.  It was the first piece of artificial intelligence to win a chess game and match against the reigning world champion, Gary Kasparov.

The first match on February 10, 1986 – Deep Blue beat Kasparov in game one.  However, Kasparov then won two and drew three thereby beating Deep Blue 4 -2  IBM then upgraded Deep Blue and a rematch on May 6 ended with a winning game six, giving Deep Blue the match.

Kasparov accused IBM of cheating and demanded a rematch.  IBM refused and promptly retired Deep Blue

The “high heel” of Italy’s boot

While the spellings vary, Apulia or Puglia is the region in southern Italy forming the “heel” of the boot.  It is known for its whitewashed hill towns and sunny weather.  The towns of Alberobello and the Itria Valley are home to stone huts with conical roofs (called trulli).  The town of Lecce is known as the “Florence of the South” because of its many examples of baroque architecture.

“The Death of _____” (1793 David painting)

In one of the most famous images of the French Revolution, Jacques-Louis David depicted the murder of Jean-Paul Marat by Charlotte Corday.  Known as “The Death of Marat“, David depicted Marat as a victim, drawing on paintings of Christian martyrs.  It was hugely popular during the Reign of Terror with several copies being ordered by the leaders of the time.

However, after Robespierre’s overthrow  and execution, its popularity waned.  David, himself was also prosecuted for his role in the Terror as a member of the Comite de Surete General.  Today the original hangs in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts in Brussels where David lived in exile until his death.