https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infivention/square-off-neo-and-swap-board-games-powered-by-robotics-and-ai
This looks awesome 
Chess computers...Does anyone use them anymore?
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Nov 16, 2019
0
#62
Nov 16, 2019
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#63
I have a SciSys Chess Companion II purchased early 1980's. As I don't have a chess club close I use it a bit to get some OTB practice. Anyone else have this one and how do they find it?
I have a chance to buy a Saitek Kasparov Simultano chess computer for a good price. Anyone use this model and would it be better than my SciSys?
Rubicon0367 wrote:
I have the same computer, except it's called the Powerbrain Orion. You're right, it does overvalue the queen. I still enjoy getting it out to have a game every now and then.
I still play games against my various vintage computers and get satisfaction thinking about what’s going on inside the computer. I also like to compare the user interfaces and their character of play. My collection ranges from entry level computers (of which the Millennium Orion 2000 has a very effective basic chess tutor onboard which is ideal for beginners) to stronger mid range machines - so their character of play is very different.
The Orion 2000 over values its queen while the Excalibur Glass Chess computer crashes if one enters an illegal position in set-up mode. It is those types of things that make the computers interesting to me. I also like the physicality of them and I like reading (and re-reading) the manuals and I also like to admire the box art. It is not so different to why records are making a come back in the digital age.
I respect the Orion 2000 the most because it is the computer that got me into chess. Previous standalone chess computers I tried put me off. I can beat the Orion on its highest levels now but I still occasionally play it. I play my mid range computers more and they are strong enough to beat me so l’m happy.
Nov 17, 2019
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#65
I am not a strong player but back in the heyday of the dedicated chess computers I remember strong players complaining of how unnatural they played.
Nov 17, 2019
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#66
Yes, they are not very good for training for real humans
Now that the internet exists, anyone can play against strong humans any time but not back in the day.
I used to use one but it just kept on playing the same obvious moves over and over again. I still have it but I don't use it any more.
I nicknamed it Einstein cuz that was one of the two companies that collaborated to make it. The other one was Excalibur( which alone is a crappy brand from my experience).
Nov 17, 2019
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#69
The people behind Excalibur were the people responsible for the Fidelity brand. Fidelity was sold to the German company that sold Mephisto computers and then started Excalibur to compete against them lol
Nov 17, 2019
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#70
sound67 wrote:
Yes, the engine is considerably stronger. While the Companion II is rated just ELO 1200, the Simultano reaches over ELO 1800. But there are three different versions of the Simultano, the final version C is the strongest. You can only see which one is which when you look at the Eproms inside.
Thanks Sound. I bought it. As you say lots more levels. Has time control functionality as well to simulate a real game. Looked but cannot tell if it is version C. But for the price a nice addition. Photos below. The pieces are from my Scisys Companion Ii because they are in perfect condition. 
Nov 18, 2019
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#71
Re: Sound67 post 81. (Apologies - using the mobile app).
Some might argue that Millennium were and are flogging a dead horse. It is hard to imagine they are making huge profits on the venture.
I, for one, am grateful for their endeavours as it was one of their computers that helped me enjoy chess and I am sure that the current range gifted for Christmas and birthdays continues that trend.
Some might argue that Millennium were and are flogging a dead horse. It is hard to imagine they are making huge profits on the venture.
I, for one, am grateful for their endeavours as it was one of their computers that helped me enjoy chess and I am sure that the current range gifted for Christmas and birthdays continues that trend.
Nov 18, 2019
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#73
Re: Sound67 post 84.
Chess House has a write up and short video on the Millennium King Performance at https://www.chesshouse.com/products/millennium-chess-computer-the-king-performance
(Apologies again, using the mobile app which doesn’t automatically recognise links).
From the video it appears that the board is a pressure sensitive type. My Excalibur Glass Chess computer had a super sensitive pressure sensor board that does not require one to use the edge of the piece base to activate the switch under the board and it is an improvement on the regular pressure switch boards.
The customisable opponent setting is an interesting proposition. The bit about the computer making riskier moves - I wonder if that will pan out like DGT Centaur’s Friendly mode that has been noted to make odd sacrificial moves.
Product details: https://computerchess.com/en/the-king-performance-2/
Chess House has a write up and short video on the Millennium King Performance at https://www.chesshouse.com/products/millennium-chess-computer-the-king-performance
(Apologies again, using the mobile app which doesn’t automatically recognise links).
From the video it appears that the board is a pressure sensitive type. My Excalibur Glass Chess computer had a super sensitive pressure sensor board that does not require one to use the edge of the piece base to activate the switch under the board and it is an improvement on the regular pressure switch boards.
The customisable opponent setting is an interesting proposition. The bit about the computer making riskier moves - I wonder if that will pan out like DGT Centaur’s Friendly mode that has been noted to make odd sacrificial moves.
Product details: https://computerchess.com/en/the-king-performance-2/
Nov 18, 2019
0
#75
I agree that the Millennium King Performance is more feature rich than the DGT Centaur. From the short video I mentioned above there are two things I like on the DGT Centaur and they are:
The inductive loop system for piece detection. I think it is the best compromise between a traditional pressure sensor board and the Near Field Identification system.
The Centaur, unless for error alert, does not make any beeps during play. I am not adverse to computers audibly denoting moves. It is refreshing never-the-less to play in silence unless there is a problem. (Perhaps the King Performance will have a selection of sound settings beyond on or off).
In terms of which is better looking - I think that is down to personal taste. The Centaur is very modern while the King Performance is traditional. In terms of material I think wood is always better than plastic.
The thing that would be most important to me personally is the level system for strength of play. I would have liked DGT to have included a traditional level selection along side their auto levelling system.
The King Performance is a computer I would be happy to add to my collection as I have no issue with beeps and bobs and pressure sensor boards (assuming that is what it is using).
The inductive loop system for piece detection. I think it is the best compromise between a traditional pressure sensor board and the Near Field Identification system.
The Centaur, unless for error alert, does not make any beeps during play. I am not adverse to computers audibly denoting moves. It is refreshing never-the-less to play in silence unless there is a problem. (Perhaps the King Performance will have a selection of sound settings beyond on or off).
In terms of which is better looking - I think that is down to personal taste. The Centaur is very modern while the King Performance is traditional. In terms of material I think wood is always better than plastic.
The thing that would be most important to me personally is the level system for strength of play. I would have liked DGT to have included a traditional level selection along side their auto levelling system.
The King Performance is a computer I would be happy to add to my collection as I have no issue with beeps and bobs and pressure sensor boards (assuming that is what it is using).
let's all just use laptops
Nov 18, 2019
0
#77
sound67 wrote:
In Europe, the price will be almost exactly the same as that of the standard Square Off and the DGT Centaur, around €350. Compared to the Millennium Exclusive, that's still a little more than half. The latter has been in production for some years and includes a magnetic auto-sensory wooden board, while the Millennium Performance will have a wooden frame only, and a wood-imitation plastic, pressure-sensitive board.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/infivention/square-off-neo-and-swap-board-games-powered-by-robotics-and-ai
Look at their new offerings! Much cheaper!
Another-Life wrote:
The square off is more chess interface and less (read not at all) dedicated chess computer, like the ones being discussed here.
That is a hefty price!
No comments on the SquareOff offerings?
I play on the Kasparov and radio shack computer boards. The computers are fairly difficult although I have beaten the RadioShack one a few times. I have about 5 of them. Old batteries left in there tend to destroy them but you solder new battery packs on they are golden. The shish blogspot board looks interesting would be pretty incredible to play with stockfish on one of these!
Nov 19, 2019
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#80
Re Post #96. I have the RadioShack Master 2200X and the Saitek Mephisto Talking Chess Academy. The two computers have very similar case designs. The display and menu system are identical aside the annotation options on the Saitek.
Comparing them from observation the two main differences are the battery compartments are in different places though both take C Size batteries. This makes sense for the Saitek as it has a speaker system to power but not sure why the RadioShack needs C sized. The RadioShack does not appear to have Ponder where as the Saitek does have ponder. There are other minor cosmetic differences too.
Of the two I prefer the Saitek because of the voice annotation and also because the RadioShack has a dotted design on the chessboard area that does things to my eyes after a while.
If your RadioShack also does not have ponder and your Kasparov computer does that could certainly make the RadioShack weaker in comparison.
Comparing them from observation the two main differences are the battery compartments are in different places though both take C Size batteries. This makes sense for the Saitek as it has a speaker system to power but not sure why the RadioShack needs C sized. The RadioShack does not appear to have Ponder where as the Saitek does have ponder. There are other minor cosmetic differences too.
Of the two I prefer the Saitek because of the voice annotation and also because the RadioShack has a dotted design on the chessboard area that does things to my eyes after a while.
If your RadioShack also does not have ponder and your Kasparov computer does that could certainly make the RadioShack weaker in comparison.
The Orion 2000 over values its queen while the Excalibur Glass Chess computer crashes if one enters an illegal position in set-up mode. It is those types of things that make the computers interesting to me. I also like the physicality of them and I like reading (and re-reading) the manuals and I also like to admire the box art. It is not so different to why records are making a come back in the digital age.
I respect the Orion 2000 the most because it is the computer that got me into chess. Previous standalone chess computers I tried put me off. I can beat the Orion on its highest levels now but I still occasionally play it. I play my mid range computers more and they are strong enough to beat me so l’m happy.