...with a lot of help from a lot of friends.

I play in games on ChessGames.com that pit a for-real chess grandmaster against the crowd, all players who wish to sign up to play and collectively vote the move.

The current game is against Armenian Grandmaster Varuzhan Akobian. We are at move 28 playing black and it is our move. The front-running move is Rook to C2 square attacking the white queen who can only escape to 4 [red x] squares, none of them comfortable. This move has over 90% of the votes as of today and is certain to be played.

Name: chessmove.jpg Views: 590 Size: 66.4 KB

We have the upper hand and, at the very least, could likely force a draw. So far our crowd is undefeated although, like most games at the grandmaster level, the majority of the games are draws. But considering the we play black, ergo move second, it is an even more impressive showing.

It beautifully demonstrates the power of collective wisdom, even though none of the players may compare to the opponent as a whole, we are equal or better. It is similar to how the collective knowledge of this forum about Detroit, is far greater even the most knowledgeable historian or journalist even though they may know far more than any one of us.