"Lysmov was the first of us to realize fully that _we are not playing against a metal monster but against a certain kind of programming_. If there are any weaknesses we can spot in that programming, we can win. Very much in the same way that we can again and again defeat a flesh-and-blood player when we discover that he consistently attacks without having an advantage in position or is regularly overcautious about launching a counter-attack when he himself is attacked without justification." Sandra nodded eagerly. "So from now on your chances of beating the Machine should keep improving, shouldn't they? I mean as you find out more and more about the programming." Doc smiled. "You forget," he said gently, "that Simon Great can change the programming before each new game. Now I see why he fought so hard for that point." "Oh. Say, Doc, what's this about the Sherevsky end game?" "You are picking up the language, aren't you?" he observed. "Sherevsky got a little angry when he discovered that Great had the Machine programmed to analyze steadily on the next move after an adjournment until the game was resumed next morning. Sherevsky questioned whether it was fair for the Machine to 'think' all night while its opponent had to get some rest. Vanderhoef decided for the Machine, though Sherevsky may carry the protest to FIDE. "Bah--I think Great wants us to get heated up over such minor matters, just as he is happy (and oh so obliging!) when we complain about how the Machine blinks or hums or smells. It keeps our minds off the main business of trying to outguess his programming. Incidentally, that is one thing we decided last night--Sherevsky, Willie Angler, Jandorf, Serek, and myself--that we are all going to have to learn to play the Machine without letting it get on our nerves and without asking to be protected from it. As Willie puts it, 'So suppose it sounds like a boiler factory even--okay, you can think in a boiler factory.' Myself, I am not so sure of that, but his spirit is right." Sandra felt herself perking up as a new article began to shape itself in her mind. She said, "And what about WBM replacing Simon Great?" Again Doc smiled. "I think, my dear, that you can safely dismiss that as just a rumor. I think that Simon Great has just begun to fight." VI Round Four saw the Machine spring the first of its surprises. It had finally forced a draw against Sherevsky in the morning session, ending the long second-round game, and now was matched against Votbinnik. The Machine opened Pawn to King Four, Votbinnik replied Pawn to King Three. "The French Defense, Binny's favorite," Dave muttered and they settled back for the Machine's customary four-minute wait. Instead the Machine moved at once and punched its clock. Sandra, studying Votbinnik through her glasses, decided that the Russian grandmaster looked just a trifle startled. Then he made his move. Once again the Machine responded instantly.