Today's birthday » This year is good for getting your home whipped into shape. It may be pretty good now, but you know areas that could be better. Or maybe you'll just move to a better area. To get the advantage, check the day's rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries » (March 21-April 19). Today is a 7. There sure is a lot for you to do on this day of rest. Schedule in some quiet time. It's important. Keep things in perspective. Taurus » (April 20-May 20). Today is a 7. Keep sorting through the numbers. The odds are excellent that you have more in reserve than you remembered. You're wealthier than you thought. Gemini » (May 21-June 21). Today is an 8. Follow your partner's suggestion, even if it's slightly radical. Odds are good it will turn out even better than expected. Cancer » (June 22-July 22). Today is a 7. It's frustrating when you're doing something you haven't done before. You'll make mistakes, but don't give up. There's a happy ending. Leo » (July 23-Aug. 22). Today is a 7. A pleasant conversation devolves into an argument if you're not careful. Avoid laughing at the other person's opinion, if at all possible. Virgo » (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). Today is a 7. A difficult situation has a happy ending. So go ahead and tackle something you've been worried about. When you relax, it might be fun. Libra » (Sept. 23-Oct. 22). Today is an 8. You'd be wise to have the facts at your fingertips. It may not be enough to convince a skeptic, but it does make you look smart. Scorpio » (Oct. 23-Nov. 21). Today is a 7. You're doing much better financially than anyone realizes. This is good. Let them think you have less than you do. It cuts down on their asking for favors. Sagittarius » (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Today is a 7. You're not a troublemaker. You'd much rather confront an adversary with a cream pie than a weapon. Actually, you might get a chance to do that. Better stop by the bakery. Capricorn » (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Today is a 7. You're about to have a brilliant revelation. Set the scene. You want to remember this and have it change your whole life for the better. Go to a place where you know miracles happen. Aquarius » (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Today is a 7. Just about everything you can imagine that could go wrong, will. Have each setback make you more determined to win. Pretty soon, there won't be anything that can stop you. Pisces » (Feb. 19-March 20). Today is a 6. It's hard to tell who's blowing smoke and who's making sense. Maintain your objectivity, and ask for a transcript. It's easier to see the scam without all the histrionics.

Beginner's Corner Hint & Explanation: Checkmate in 2.

Human activity in general is guided by paradigms or rules of thumb that guide both perception and action. Computer scientists who progam computers to play chess call such guiding principles "heuristics." Determining the heuristics used by humans to play chess was the starting point for creating chess-playing programs. In the early stages of computer chess, the goal was to produce programs that played like humans. This goal was quickly achieved. But although some computer games are indistinguishible from human games, most are not. Computer games look different because they make moves that humans either do not consider or reject. In effect, the machines transcend the limitations of human heuristics. Curiously, there is a blowback phenomenon. Younger masters or grandmasters who have been exposed to computer games and analysis since the beginning of their chess careers learn to consider moves that their older contemporaries are more likely to reject. Thus, computers have become role models for human play rather than simply the reverse. As we have suggested previously, the exceptional versatility of 17-year-old Magnus Carlsen, currently the second-ranked player in the world is in part a product of the huge amount of chess games and positions to which he has been exposed. He has seen more positions in his formative years and can therefore play more of them than most players with similar talent. At right is a win by Alexander Morozevich against Vladimir Kramnik from the Tal Memorial Tournament in Moscow.