The New York-based Accoona Corporation, an industry pioneer in Artificial Intelligence search engine, has announced the launch of the Accoona Toolbar and the Accoona Desktop Search Companion.

　　To demonstrate the power and sophistication of its search engine technology, Accoona will host a "Man vs. Machine" chess match that pits its Toolbar against the reigning world chess champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov.

World chess champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov concentrates while playing the Accoona Artificial Intelligence ToolBar in a man versus machine match in New York June 21, 2005. The match ended in a draw.[Reuters]

　　At this unique, world-class event, the Accoona Artificial Intelligence ToolBar will compete against the 26-year-old World Chess Champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov from Uzbekistan, in a man versus machine format. The ultimate "Man vs. Machine" chess event takes place at 5:00 PM (Eastern Standard Time) in the ABC Times Square Studios in New York City.

　　Grandmaster Ron Henley will serve as the arbiter for the match.

　　Accoona CEO Stuart Kauder commented, "Accoona.com is the first web search engine to employ artificial intelligence. Accoona is staging this chess match because our company wants to reward the best in intelligence, whether it's man or machine."

　　At the chess match, Accoona is releasing its Artificial Intelligence Toolbar and the Accoona Desktop Search Companion to the world for free on its Web site. The two complementary tools that help make searches for both Web content and PC files more accurate and relevant are now available for download at: http://www.accoona.com/toolbar/toolbar_installation.jsp.

World chess champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov concentrates while playing the Accoona Artificial Intelligence ToolBar in a man versus machine match in New York June 21, 2005. The match ended in a draw. [Reuters]

　　The Accoona Toolbar enables Internet Explorer users to perform searches from anywhere on the Web, and to receive more meaningful News and Business search results thanks to Accoona's patented AI technology. It also allows users to access detailed business information on millions of companies worldwide via Accoona's proprietary QuickProfile database. Instead, the Toolbar will alert users that a company profile is available, giving them one-click access to important business information anywhere on the Web.

　　Using the same AI technologies and search techniques as its Search Engine and Toolbar, Accoona's Desktop Search Companion offers robust search options to locate missing files, e-mails and documents on the user's PC -- even if the user does not remember the file name.

　　"The Accoona Toolbar and Desktop Search Companion perfectly complements our AI-enhanced search engine at Accoona.com, and gives PC users multiple ways to search for and retrieve the most relevant information they need on the Internet or their own hard drives," said Stuart Kauder, CEO of Accoona. "As the amount of digital information upon which people rely continues to grow, we're committed to developing the most advanced technologies to make the search experience easier, more relevant, and more fruitful."

　　The Accoona AI Toolbar is the first of its kind to offer a free, completely interactive Chess experience. Its chess program uses AI techniques to learn from the hundreds of thousands of games it plays, improving its strategic understanding on the basis of its wins and losses over time. Chess enthusiasts of all levels, from novice to International Grandmaster, are now able to compete with each other or against the Accoona Toolbar's Chess program directly.

　　"On behalf of the City of New York I am proud to welcome the 2005 Accoona Man vs. Machine Chess Championship. Chess fans throughout the World will be watching closely as the World Chess Champion battles one of the world's premier chess programs, truly a spectacle where the human mind meets technological achievement," said New York City Sports Commissioner Ken Podziba.

　　** Additional Accoona Toolbar Features

　　The Accoona Toolbar offers a variety of features and options that enable users to get more from their online experience, including:

　　One-click access to current news - The Accoona Toolbar provides two convenient ways to stay on top of all of the day's important news headlines. The built-in News Search button lets user search for specific stories of interest from anywhere on the Web, while optional scrolling news ticker delivers top headlines from major news sources. Clicking on ticker headlines brings Accoona Toolbar users to a separate News Headlines page where they can access the full stories

　　Safe surfing with a built-in pop-up blocker- Annoying pop-up advertising will be blocked through a customizable pop-up blocker.

　　AI-enhanced chess - Accoona challenges the mind by allowing chess enthusiasts to play against the Toolbar, from the novice casual player through Grand Master levels of play. It also features chess news, puzzles, strategy sessions, and daily tips that immerse the user in this challenging and fun intellectual pursuit.