Excerpt from The Chess Machine by Robert Lohr, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

Kempelen stopped to relish Tibor's inquiring expression, then went on. "An automaton that plays chess. A thinking machine."

"It can't be done."

Kempelen laughed as he took a sheet of paper out of his waistcoat and unfolded it. "You said that before. And this time you're right. No machine will ever be able to play chess. In theory, yes, it's possible, but in practice."

He handed Tibor the paper. It was the sketch of someone sitting at a table, or rather at a cabinet with several closed doors. Both the figure's arms rested on the tabletop, and a chessboard lay between them.
"That's what the automaton will look like," explained Kempelen. "And since it can't function of its own accord, it needs a human brain."

Tibor shuddered at the idea, and Kempelen laughed again. "Never fear, I'm not going to saw anyone's skull open. What I mean is, someone will guide the automaton from inside.  "Kempelen placed one finger on the closed cabinet.

And now at last Tibor understood why the Hungarian Baron had sought him out and followed him here, why he sounded so friendly, and why, above all, he was prepared to buy his freedom. Kempelen crossed his arms over his chest. Tibor was shaking his head long before he answered.

"I won't do it."

Kempelen raised his hands in a conciliating gesture. "Take it easy, take it easy. We haven't even discussed terms yet."

"What terms? It's a fraud."

"It's no more or less of a fraud than magnetizing a couple of pieces of iron and talking about 'magical attraction.'"

"Thou shalt not bear false witness."

"Thou shalt not play for money either, if you're going to throw the Bible up at me."

"People will examine the machine and find out the deception."

"They'll examine it, yes, but they won't find anything. That's my part of the business."

Tibor was still unconvinced, but he could think of no more reasons.

"Just one performance in front of the Empress,"aid Kempelen, "and then I'll dismantle the machine. Even great sensations have only a short lease of life these days. I want to impress Maria Theresia just once, and then my fortune's made. She'll back my other projects. And by the time I unveil my speaking machine, the chess automaton will be long forgotten."

Tibor looked at the sketch of the android.

"Listen to my offer: you'll get generous wages, with good board and lodging until the performance. And then you'll be playing chess in front of the Empress, perhaps even against her. Not many people can say that."

"It won't work."

"And suppose it doesn't, what do you have to fear? I may be censured, but you? You keep your wages and make yourself scarce. You can only gain by the deal."

Tibor said nothing for a while, then looked at the watch. Time had run out. "If I don't do it ... will you still pay for my freedom?"

"Of course I will. I gave you my word. Just as I give you my word that our chess automaton will be an unprecedented success."

Tibor carefully folded up the sketch and handed it back. "Thank you very much. But I don't want any part in a fraud."

Kempelen gazed into Tibor's eyes until he looked away. Only then did he take the paper.

"A pity,"said Kempelen, and began packing the chessmen away. "You're missing a unique opportunity to take part in a great venture."

 

 

Wolfgang von Kempelen said a brief goodbye on the steps outside the Doge's palace, giving Tibor the name of his inn, just in case. Tibor watched him as he walked over the Piazza San Marco and disappeared from sight. The Hungarian made it look as if Tibor had been only one of many candidates for this strange assignment.

Excerpted from The Chess Machine by Robert Loer. Copyright © 2007 by Robert Loer. Excerpted by permission of Penguin Group. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.