The Saitek GK 2100

This forum is for general discussions and questions, including Collectors Corner and anything to do with Computer chess.

Moderators: Harvey Williamson, Steve B, Watchman

Forum rules
This textbox is used to restore diagrams posted with the fen tag before the upgrade.
Celadus
Member
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 11:29 am

The Saitek GK 2100

Post by Celadus »

I purchased the Saitek GK 2100 new in April of 1998. I played against it a few times then put it away in a cupboard because I found it was too strong.I recently dragged the GK2100 from the cupboard after years of non use not knowing what to expect.

Surprise: it still operates correctly with batteries and a/c adaptor. It is a very sturdy machine.
What I like is the ease of use and the selection of game options.

White from the top just press the entre button and play.
Saves current game.
A good selection of play levels
Random play
Four book options or no book
A choice of selective or brute force search algorithm.

Now, even though I get thrashed regularly I find playing against the GK enjoyable. It is very strong at tactics.

Schachcomputer.info rates this machine 1979 Elo which is more than enough for me. And, oh yes, it does have a take back button.

The GK 2100 is not going back in the cupboard for a while.
User avatar
fourthirty
Full Member
Posts: 763
Joined: Fri Dec 06, 2013 8:46 pm
Location: San Francisco

Post by fourthirty »

I don't own a GK 2100, but it is on my "watch list". There was one listed on eBay yesterday for $74, but I wasn't quick enough! Sold before I was able to grab it! Glad you are enjoying your model.
Celadus
Member
Posts: 256
Joined: Sun May 06, 2012 11:29 am

Post by Celadus »

fourthirty wrote:I don't own a GK 2100, but it is on my "watch list". There was one listed on eBay yesterday for $74, but I wasn't quick enough! Sold before I was able to grab it! Glad you are enjoying your model.
$74.00 would have been a very good price for a machine of this quality and playing potential. As I stated it is very good at tactics.
I would recommend buying one if you can.
Larry
Senior Member
Posts: 2269
Joined: Wed Aug 01, 2007 8:42 am
Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

GK2100 is borderline rare. I'm wondering if it's anything special
though... same program as several other of Morsch's programs, no?
I've got one but never took much notice of it, one of those ebay
purchases we all tend to take advantage of based on price. I found
mine cheap enough but minus original box and pieces.
L
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

fourthirty wrote:I don't own a GK 2100, but it is on my "watch list". There was one listed on eBay yesterday for $74, but I wasn't quick enough! Sold before I was able to grab it! Glad you are enjoying your model.
You could try to get the Saitek Centurion or the Mephisto Chess Challenger. Same program as the GK2100, but with a smaller opening library.
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

Larry wrote:GK2100 is borderline rare. I'm wondering if it's anything special
though... same program as several other of Morsch's programs, no?
I've got one but never took much notice of it, one of those ebay
purchases we all tend to take advantage of based on price. I found
mine cheap enough but minus original box and pieces.
L
It is a good program, at 40 MHz it even plays as strong as the Milano Pro/Master Chess.

Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

paulwise3 wrote:
Larry wrote:GK2100 is borderline rare. I'm wondering if it's anything special
though... same program as several other of Morsch's programs, no?
I've got one but never took much notice of it, one of those ebay
purchases we all tend to take advantage of based on price. I found
mine cheap enough but minus original box and pieces.
L
It is a good program, at 40 MHz it even plays as strong as the Milano Pro/Master Chess.

Paul
To be more complete: compared to the GK2000 and clones the GK2100 has 32kb rom instead of 16kb. The Saitek Cougar and the Mephisto Explorer Pro run the same program, but at 16 MHz instead of 10 MHz.
The Mephisto Milano Pro/Master Chess has 64kb ROM and 20 MHz.
And I would not be surprised if the GK2100 is strongly related to the Saitek Brute Force module, with also a 32kb ROM. But the Brute Force also features 128 kb hash tables, and costs a magnitude more...

Happy owner of the Brute Force regards,
Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
BillT
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:31 pm
Location: Norfolk UK

Post by BillT »

Isn't the Mephisto MM VI a clone of the 2100 too ??
A nicer option on wood I thought.

Enjoying my MM VI
regards
Bill
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

BillT wrote:Isn't the Mephisto MM VI a clone of the 2100 too ??
A nicer option on wood I thought.

Enjoying my MM VI
regards
Bill
Yep, the wiki-elo-liste says you are right ;-)

Best regards, Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
SirDave
Full Member
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 4:59 am
Location: Southern California USA

Post by SirDave »

Be careful of substituting the below for the Saitek GK2100. They have the G8 & Fun Level bugs. The GK 2100 and the Travel Champion 2100 don't have them.

Saitek Cosmos
Saitek Expert Travel
Saitek Centurion
Saitek Cougar
Saitek Challenger
Saitek Talking Chess Academy
Saitek Explorer Pro

Edit: That's not to say that one shouldn't get one of the above. The Chess Challenger is a favorite of mine and a great value unless it is increasing in price as it becomes less available. I bought a virtually new one (as a backup to my main one) off Craig's list 5 years ago and sold it for $110 about 2 years ago.
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

SirDave wrote:Be careful of substituting the below for the Saitek GK2100. They have the H8 & Fun Level bugs. The GK 2100 and the Travel Champion 2100 don't have them.

Saitek Cosmos
Saitek Expert Travel
Saitek Centurion
Saitek Cougar
Saitek Challenger
Saitek Talking Chess Academy
Saitek Explorer Pro

Edit: That's not to say that one shouldn't get one of the above. The Chess Challenger is a favorite of mine and a great value unless it is increasing in price as it becomes less available. I bought a virtually new one (as a backup to my main one) off Craig's list 5 years ago and sold it for $110 about 2 years ago.
True, but if you are aware of the fun-level bug then it is no issue if you know what to do: just press the ACL.
The H8 bug is annoying, but happens very seldom.
Last year I played a great game with the Centurion tuned at 40 MHz at a Schachcomputer.info tournament. I will look it up to show you here.
Btw, the Mephisto Chess Challenger and the Saitek Centurion are regularly seen at the german ebay, and sell often for under 75,- ....

Owning three Chess Challengers regards,
Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
BillT
Member
Posts: 132
Joined: Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:31 pm
Location: Norfolk UK

Post by BillT »

I dont think the MM VI has the bugs either..
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

BillT wrote:I dont think the MM VI has the bugs either..
Hi Bill,

According to the wiki the following do NOT have these bugs:
RadioShack Champion 2250XL, Saitek Travel Champion 2100, Saitek GK2100, Saitek President, Saitek Brute Force, Mephisto Schachakademie and Mephisto MM VI.
As they mention the Mephisto Schachakademie, I guess the GK2000 should be mentioned too, and likely also the Mephisto Talking Chess Academy.

Best regards,
Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
SirDave
Full Member
Posts: 610
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 4:59 am
Location: Southern California USA

Post by SirDave »

Since the Chess Challenger was mentioned, it might be a good time to remind of the hidden options that allows it to function more like its big brother Master Chess:

http://www.hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic. ... challenger
User avatar
paulwise3
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2015 10:56 am
Location: Eindhoven, Netherlands

Post by paulwise3 »

SirDave wrote:Since the Chess Challenger was mentioned, it might be a good time to remind of the hidden options that allows it to function more like its big brother Master Chess:

http://www.hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic. ... challenger
Yep, and the same goes for the Saitek Centurion.
The GK2100 and the Saitek Cougar have it in their standard options available.
And for instance the Expert Travel Chess (also a GK2100 clone) has it standard available too...

Thanx for reminding regards,
Paul
2024 Special thread: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12741
2024 Special results and standings: https://schaakcomputers.nl/paul_w/Tourn ... 25_06.html
If I am mistaken, it must be caused by a horizon effect...
Post Reply