This is undoubtedly our last chance to mention new products before the year end holiday season. Although we don't have a lot to introduce, these links are definitely worth following.

First, let's have an article on chess gifts from the International Herald Tribune.

• A pawn in the game? Make your move to a higher level by Brad Spurgeon • 'Few sports or games offer as many gift ideas as the game of chess, and what’s more, the less adept the player, the more gifts available. Yet while grandmasters and other top-level players usually shun receiving presents related to their profession, they have plenty of good ideas for others -- as well as some unexpected ones for themselves.'

Next, let's have our only new product for this article. It's the latest version of the reigning World Computer Chess Champion, from ChessBase.com.

• Junior 9 by Amir Ban and Shay Bushinsky • 'Junior is different from all other programs in its search strategies and evaluation function. This gives the program a very distinctive style of play.'

Finally, to round out the page and to reward you for having clicked this far, let's have a rare look at chess moves seen as art. We've all seen chess themes used in art, but this is something completely different. Thanks to The Christian Science Monitor for bringing this to our attention.

• Smart machines, dumb people by Jim Regan • 'Impervious to objective measurement, intelligence is nevertheless a quality which can be easily recognized by its presence - or absence. At the highest levels, it can be used to create another intelligence, itself capable of presenting its creator with entertainment and challenge.' • Q: What is that all about? A: It's the Thinking Machine 4, which 'explores the invisible, elusive nature of thought. Play chess against a transparent intelligence, its evolving thought process visible on the board before you.'

More reports : Chess Product News.