In a strategic battle that contrasted sharply with Saturday's aggressive, attacking style of play, Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in Sunday's Game 2 to even the six-game rematch at 1 - 1.

With a quick handshake, the world champion offered his resignation to Deep Blue team member Feng-hsiung Hsu after an exchange of queens in the 45th move. He quickly left the game room. Game 2 lasted three hours and forty-four minutes.

"We really feel very good," said Deep Blue team leader C.J. Tan, who joked that the Deep Blue team recovered from Saturday's defeat by having "a couple of cocktails."

"This was a game any human grandmaster would have been proud to play," said Deep Blue team consultant and grandmaster Joel Benjamin. "This shows it's possible for a computer to play real chess."

In comparison with Saturday's unconventional play, Deep Blue, playing white, initiated Game 2 with the classic Ruy Lopez opening, a strategy that requires great skill to pull off and is difficult to counter.

That began a series of rapid moves by both players. After only 25 minutes of chess, the players had completed 17 moves apiece. But after Kasparov's 17th move, Deep Blue began to "think," indicating the computer was now looking beyond its pre-programmed moves.

As in the opening game, Kasparov frequently stood up from the chessboard to retreat to his private meditation area just off-stage. "That means that he's comfortable with the position," commented Ashley. And as in Saturday's game, Kasparov hurried back to the board after Deep Blue's subsequent move.

Midway through the game, Deep Blue went on the attack. Two hours after the first piece was moved, the computer initiated a knight-for-knight exchange that altered the complexion of the game and seemed to rattle Kasparov. Said Ashley, "You can see the frown on Kasparov's face. He knows that he has to hunker down and defend his pieces." At this point, chess authorities in the audience at New York's Equitable Center concluded the world champion began playing for a draw.

As the game neared conclusion, Kasparov became even more animated, often shaking his head in disbelief after every change of position. "Kasparov has been suffering throughout this game," remarked guest commentator Patrick Wolff. "And how often do you see Kasparov suffering when he's playing chess?"

Deep Blue's Tan was delighted the computer prevailed, but was cautious in victory. "It was very exciting," said Tan. "But like I said before the match, it's going to be a long, drawn-out battle."