--- title: "An Atari 2600 console ‘absolutely wrecked’ an AI model in a chess match" date: "2025-06-18" modified: "2025-06-18" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/entertainment/an-atari-2600-console-absolutely-wrecked-an-ai-model-in-a-chess-match/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Gaming" tags: - "Technology" - "Video Games" --- # An Atari 2600 console ‘absolutely wrecked’ an AI model in a chess match ![atari 2600 AI atari ad]() *This not-AI ad from 1983 says "Experience the Incredible Atari 2600 and Enjoy Every, Single Byte." (Atari Entertainment)* If Russian novelist and Crimean War veteran Leo Tolstoy is right about war being a chess match, we may not have to worry so much about fighting AI-led robots on a futuristic, "Terminator" like battlefield. At least, not yet. It turns out that some AI models are really bad at chess, specifically ChatGPT. [Technology site Futurism found]() software engineer Robert Caruso's LinkedIn post, wherein he reported that the popular AI bot got "absolutely wrecked" by an Atari 2600 playing Atari Chess. ## "Video Chess: Special Edition" There was nothing special about the game itself, "Atari Chess," which was released in 1979 for the Atari 2600 game console. A 4k game at a time when most games were just 2k, the game was one of the most groundbreaking advances in video games at the time. It had eight different difficulty levels, which meant the computer might take a considerable amount of time to make its next move. By today's standards, the game is extremely primitive, especially compared to [open-source chess engines like Stockfish](), which can process millions of moves in seconds. "Video Chess" was also known for having no opening move strategy. It also makes some bizarre moves, such as random "king walks" (traveling along its side of the board), various tactical mistakes, and sacrificing pieces for no gain. And yet, ChatGPT wasn't even playing on an advanced level. ## Atari's Checkmate "ChatGPT got absolutely wrecked on the beginner level," [Caruso wrote](). "This was after a conversation we had regarding the history of AI in Chess which led to it volunteering to play Atari Chess. It wanted to find out how quickly it could beat a game that only thinks 1-2 moves ahead." In multiple attempts over 90 minutes, the AI model struggled to remember which pieces were which and where they would be placed on the chessboard. It also misread the moves of its elderly opponent, blaming its performance (or lack thereof) on the Atari game's digital art. Like a child, the AI kept asking for a do-over, a chance to perform better if it could just restart the game. But that changed nothing for its 8-bit counterpart. "Atari’s humble 8-bit engine just did its thing," he said. "No language model. No flash. Just brute-force board evaluation and 1977 stubbornness." Sadly, the engineer did not record the AI's struggle to play a chess match, but assured us ChatGPT "made enough blunders to get laughed out of a 3rd grade chess club." ![atari 2600 beats chatGPT chess]() *The cover of the 1979 game "Video Chess" for the Atari 2600 console. (Atari)* Although ChatGPT is capable of understanding the game of chess, it is still unable to devise its own chess strategy. The Atari 2600 playing "Video Chess" is, on the other hand, the right tool for the job. Atari Chess *only plays chess.* Like most things in life, knowledge simply cannot make up for ability. When asked about such a loss, Chinese ChatGPT rival [DeepSeek]() said, "Defeating the Atari 2600 at chess would be trivial for me. It represents a fascinating early step in computer chess, but its playing strength is extremely low compared to anything developed in the last 40+ years. It would be like asking if a Formula 1 car could beat a Model T Ford in a race!" ### Don’t Miss the Best of Mighty News We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: [subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter](). - ‘[Day of the Jackal’ author Frederick Forsyth dies at age 86]() - []()[Ukraine’s new, drone-delivered weapon is basically a phallic claymore]() - []()[Vulnerable NATO countries are turning to mines, away from US]() ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()