i have got a master chess computer from mephisto i got it at christmas its got 64 levels and i have only beaten it 4 times on the very low levels i no computers are good but im getting fed up with getting a beating most of the time does anyone have the same problem as me. my rating on chess . com is always 1550 to just over 1600 and i much like playing humans to computers.

That's why this site and most other chess sites prosper, Every serious chess player owns or is planning to own a chess program (engine) of course you can play with the engine but it will crush you, so it's mostly for analisis. We humans like to play with humans. I still haven't found the first person to tell me that they "like to play with their chess engine" it just isin't fun.

I've got a Novag Obsidian, and although it's not as strong as your Mephisto, I can definitely empathize.  :)

The Mephisto has a power-saving mode that allows you to turn off the "permanent brain" (so that the computer doesn't think during your move time).  It also prolongs battery life.  You might want to check that option, because if the computer is thinking during your move time, it makes a lot of the lower levels (based on reducing the machine's think-time) a bit meaningless.

I play the lower levels shamelessly too.  It's still a pretty darn strong game of chess.  I break out the Obsidian when I want a quick game with a more tactile, 3-d chess experience than I can get from my LCD, and I don't worry too much about the level, as long as I've got a reasonable chance to win if I play my best.

I downloaded Sigma Chess Lite for my Mac. I had to tone it down just to even have a chance to beat it. Playing humans is far better than computers, because humans make blunders.

I have several chess computers. NY Times Saitek handheld, Saitek Mephisto Maestro handheld. I play them for practice when I'm on trips or in boring meetings - I suggest you sit in the back if you do that I play mid-levels and 30 min./game. If I take longer than 30 min, and I win the game, I count is as a win. Works good I win some, I take back bad moves, then win in others. If the computer gets a big advantage - I turn it off and scold it explaining that I'm the boss and it won't play chess if it doesn't let me win a lot of games. I give it a half hour of no chess then play it again just to see if it understands.

Remember, it's only a computer - you can't cheat it! If it gets a big advantage - hit reset and start again. You obviously need work on your opening so no point in continuing. Keep playing the early part of the game until you to come out on top. Then work on the middle game the same way. You're goal is practice so that you can improve your score here at chess.com.

arthull, your advise on how to use a computer to improve your game is great.  I've ordered a Mephisto Master and I have a idea how strong it will be.  Many chess players don't like playing computers, but remember that a human has programmed the machine, and has put a version of their own thinking into it.  In other words it has been taught how to play by a person, so in a way you are playing against them (once removed).  I exclude all super strong PC programs from the above sentiment......they are just calculating monsters.

 If you want to beat the computer you should work on your tactics.

hello

Tatics are a chess computer's forte.  But then isn't chess supposed to be 99% tactics?

Hello Bhatti, welcome to chess .com

Chess being 99% tactics is completely inaccurate. But repeating it so many times a the long term, most players will believe it's true.

How do you know it isn't true that chess is 99% tactics? What are you like a weak 1600 player? You should put your money where your mouth is.

Is not a matter of rating but of common sense. If chess was 99% tactics, there wouldn't be so many books covering positional play, strategies, theory opening, principles... just to cover the remaining 1%.

With a rating of 1600 I am not sure how much common sense you are capable of. Most of the chess books I see are tactics books not strategic.

Chess is 99% tactics-TEICHMANN

Tactics is the most important element in the middlegame-Tarrasch

good enough for me naysayers.

 Of course. Besides, if you are not a good tactitican then you cannot possible play good positional moves as a good positional move is one which increases chances of tactics.

If you are really desperate to beat the machine, give yourself a material handicap, say pawn and move.  I couldn't beat the Mephisto London no matter what level I set it on, so in desperation I removed it's KB pawn and to my surprise I could defeat it on the higher levels.  Another interesting handicap is rook  for knight.  All this might not improve your chess much, but you'll have fun.  (Details regarding different handicaps is available, just google "chess handicap".)

hi all, great to read all your msgs about computer chess players and stuff!!!

Anyway, me dad just got a Phantom Force Electronic Chess set (XC5559) , and we need a power supply, says it needs 1.33 Amp 9 volt with tip posistive!  Any help would be apperiatated!

If you dont know what the Phantom Force Chess set is, google it and look for Youtupe movies!. Its a chess set that will set up the board and make blacks moves with a mangnitic sightless arm undernigth the board!!!

http://users.boardnation.com/~chesscomputers/index.php?board=1      Fredalert, this website answers most questions on chess computers.

It might be a problem finding an adapter from that machine. Easier would be to buy an adapter of that amperage and voltage and if the jack doesn't match just buy a correct one and do some elementary soldering.

I'd recommend to go to Radio Shack for a tip, if need be, but I don't know if they still cater to do-it-yourselfers. They'd just try to sell you a cellphone probably.