IT WAS a predictable (and rather boring) mismatch between a chess grandmaster and a chess program that lacked the attack algorithm needed to do "the kill."

Filipino chess grandmaster Rogelio "Joey" Antonio Jr., who has been defeating various computer chess game software for years, has now beaten black and blue the Linux-based GNU Chess program running on an IBM Netfinity Server.

The final score was 2-0.

During the second game of the June 10 match dubbed "Freeman vs Freeware" at the Makati Shangri-La, Joey gradually built up the attack of his black army--two pawns, a knight and a queen--to destroy a well-guarded garrison the computer built for its white king.

Joey was clearly on the offensive, splitting open the "castling," protecting the white king. His succeeding moves successfully pushed back his opponent's pieces as he initiated a kingside attack.

Three white pawns in front and one tower beside the king were rendered defenseless during the attack.

As the black army shred the castling to pieces, the white queen, nearing the black fortress and backed up by another white tower, was paralyzed. The queen never made it back to defend her king as the black group maneuvered its way into the white castle.

"The limitation I saw was that during middle games, the computer became weak. It seemed to get lost and could not come up with a solid plan," Joey analyzed.

The analysis released after the game stated that a typical computer maneuver is "quite satisfied with its position, so it just moves its rooks back and forth and waits for the opponent to attack its well-established fortification."

Joey observed that the GNU program was "swift and strong" during openings since it was programmed to have automatic responses.

The first game saw Joey enjoying a space advantage since his white pieces were mobile. When the computer, which carried the black pieces, struck an attack, Joey played the waiting game. Time ran out for the computer while Joey still had 12 minutes.

Each player was allotted 45 minutes for each game.

The early goings of the second game displayed the double-edged character of both positions. The computer became aggressive, mounting a tactical attack with some complicated positions. Joey's counterattack, however, destroyed the computer's castling defense.

The next program that is being prepared, says Neil D. Quiogue of IPhil Communications Network Inc., is a cluster version called Crafty which is a multiprocessor.

"A strong attack algorithm is being developed. This may be a match to Deep Blue," said Fernando Contreras Jr., Iphil's general manager. Deep Blue, regarded as IBM's supercomputer, recently won a match with world champion Garry Kasparov.

Meanwhile, Kasparov is set to engage the world in a chess battle on the Internet starting June 21. The match will take place in the gaming zone of the Microsoft network (MSN) at www.msn.com. Kasparov will make the opening move which visitors to the MSN gaming zone will see. The site will then be open for suggested counter moves from Kasparov's opponents for 24 hours. Kasparov will then counter and his move will again be posted for another 24 hours. The game will continue with one move daily until the match comes to an end.

Grandmaster Joey ranks No. 1 at the International Chess Club where Kasparov is also a member. Joey encourages aspiring grandmasters to constantly play and practice chess. He also recommends players to explore various software and the Internet to further their skills.

Another chess grandmaster, Eugene Torre, has lately been using computer software for practices. Joey has been practicing on software programs since 1995.

"I have lots of chess computer software at home. That's why I'm familiar with their weaknesses," he said.

Joey plays with fellow Internet surfers from 12 midnight to 5 a.m. daily.

Asked to comment on Kasparov's resignation after 19 moves into the sixth game of his widely publicized match versus computer opponent Deep Blue, Joey replied in jest: "It might have been scripted."

Some observers noted that Joey's strength is best manifested during endgames while the computer opponent's is in the opening and the defense.