HIARCS Chess Forums

Scally · Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2017 9:37 pm Post subject:

The Square Off Chess Computer has now been put back to September, no email update this time, just a reply to my query on their Facebook page:

Alan 'Scally' Cooper: Hi, what’s the latest on delivery? I had an update at the end of June stating August, we haven’t had a July update? Thanks, Al.

Square Off: Hi Alan,
Your Square Off board is going through some upgrades and hence there is a delay. We expect to start shipping in September'17.

Cheers,

Al.
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My Chess Computers

Scally · Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2017 6:19 pm Post subject:

Hi all,

I just got update number 17, delivery is now expected in December!

Cheers,

Al
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My Chess Computers

blaubaer · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 12:46 am Post subject:

Hi Al,

the timetable looks promising....

Picochess engine compiling regards, Michael Laughing

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High Performer Chess Computer Tournament 2018

Scally · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:00 am Post subject:

Chessmaster Ireland · Full Member Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 604

Hi Al

I think it's time for them to contact Ron Nelson for help 😃

Phantom regards
Bryan

Scally · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:10 am Post subject:

Chessmaster Ireland · Full Member Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 604

Hi Al

There seems to be a few always on eBay USA but very limited here in Europe.

I have two, one works 100% but the other packed in. Berger has offered to repair it but until the working one packs in, then I will probably get him to have a look at it.

Regards from Cheshire
Bryan

blaubaer · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Al,

Scally · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:29 pm Post subject:

Scally · Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:32 pm Post subject:

Scally · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 5:38 pm Post subject:

Hi Bryan,

My Phantom Force arrived today from another selling site. It looks in good condition, and powers up correctly announcing in English.

However I’ve tried setting the pieces in their start position or at the sides, I can hear the mechanism whirring away, but the pieces either slightly wiggle or jump and land on their sides sticking to other pieces. I’ve tried the reset button ....

Any ideas?

Cheers,

Al.
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My Chess Computers

Steve B · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:25 pm Post subject:

Hi Al

make sure you have the proper pieces
sometimes sellers will just toss in any small magnetic chess set and that will not cut it with a Robot

the pieces should look EXACTLY as they do on the box:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/10261668@N05/2067709616/in/album-72157600922174592/

May The Force Be With You Regards
Steve

Scally · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:34 pm Post subject:

Hi Steve,

I’d already emailed the seller who naturally said it was fully working before he sent me it. However I’d already noticed that on the box the pieces look metal or plastic and are white and black, mine are beige and brown wooden pieces with felt bottoms and look like Chess Challenger pieces.

Is it possible for you you to show me the underneath of a piece, I’m thinking that maybe Saitek pieces may work?

Cheers,

Al.
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My Chess Computers

Steve B · Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:41 pm Post subject:

Chessmaster Ireland · Full Member Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 604

Hi Al

Switch on without the pieces on the board and press new game and let the Phantom groan away while it thinks it's resetting the pieces.
After it stops and awaits your first move now place the pieces on their start position and make a move.

What happens, does the Phantom piece just wiggle or jump?
If it just wiggles the electromagnet isn't making enough contact with the magnet in the base of the piece. As for the piece jumping and falling over, it sounds like the piece magnet is in reversed polarity??

Very strange, try putting another magnet under the piece that just wiggles and see if by making the magnet stronger it might make it move.

Regards
Bryan