Best dedicated buys by brand

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Fernando
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Post by Fernando »

kosterix wrote:
Larry wrote:
Fernando wrote: So, taking into account those factors, my most beloved machines are:
Champion chess Challenger.
Centennial, very similar, is the second.
Alexandra, the third
Could you care to upload a video on youtube on these computers? Would love to see them in action.
there are already videos of those comps in youtube

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_ ... er+fielity
Festina Lente
Reinfeld
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Post by Reinfeld »

kosterix said:
* Are there any computers that surrender?? How do they indicate surrender, apart from being mated?
The only comp I know that surrenders before mate is Super Constellation. You get to a certain point in a game, you've worked hard, and you have a big advantage. The vertical lights on the left start flashing in a weird, urgent way.

At first you don't know what's going on, so you check the manual, and it says this is the signal for resignation, and a rush of deep satisfaction overwhelms you. Another reason to love Super Connie, the prince of the old dedicated kingdom. But it's not cheap.

- R.
"You have, let us say, a promising politician, a rising artist that you wish to destroy. Dagger or bomb are archaic and unreliable - but teach him, inoculate him with chess."
– H.G. Wells
Larry
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Post by Larry »

Reinfeld wrote: Another reason to love Super Connie, the prince of the old dedicated kingdom. But it's not cheap.

- R.
Strange, because I come from that era and as I recall the Super Connie
enjoyed a fairly big production run. I'm wondering if the apparent rarity
is caused by the rechargeable backup battery the SC had, which had the
purpose of saving personal settings, and unfinished games. Over time
the battery leaked onto the mainboard and played merry hell.
Years ago I took the trouble to take the backup batteries out of my
SC, Connie, and Connie 3.6.
L
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Steve B
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Post by Steve B »

Reinfeld wrote:kosterix said:
* Are there any computers that surrender?? How do they indicate surrender, apart from being mated?
The only comp I know that surrenders before mate is Super Constellation.
Many dedicated computers will resign without mate being imminent
Mephisto Lang computers, several Novags ,and Morsch computers come to mind
A common way for computers to signal resignation is to indicate a -9.99 as the evaluation score..player can end the game or continue playing
others will display the word RESIGN in the display(or some of the letters)

interestingly...the Fidelity Elite Premiere Vancouver will resign by indicating "rESG" in the display but will NOT resign if it sees it will be mated..(i guess to allow the player to complete his brilliant victory and receive a visitation from the Goddess Caissa)

Resignation Accepted Regards
Steve
Larry
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Post by Larry »

Not to mention, the RISC2500 and Montreux would announce
"I RESIGN" if the situation is hopeless. Of course they don't have
to do it often. They would then carry on playing until mate to make
the human feel special.
L
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Mentat
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Post by Mentat »

Reinfeld wrote:kosterix said:
* Are there any computers that surrender?? How do they indicate surrender, apart from being mated?
The only comp I know that surrenders before mate is Super Constellation. You get to a certain point in a game, you've worked hard, and you have a big advantage. The vertical lights on the left start flashing in a weird, urgent way.

....

- R.
The Super Constellation isn't the only one. Below you can find some others mentioned, but let me add the Schroeder machines (e. g. the Milano, Polgar, etc) that do the same with a message "resign", just the way they announce mate, stalemate or repetition. The Morsches I have (Cougar, GK 2100, GK 2000) don't resign. But the Novag Diamond does, and I love it :)

Dj
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paulwise3
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Re: Best dedicated buys by brand

Post by paulwise3 »

Reinfeld wrote: 4. Excalibur Igor

What else? The tackiest player on this list, as well as the most unorthodox in style, and super easy to find. This thing is a crazy uncle. You stow it away out of embarrassment, and play it when no one's looking.
In Europe I never see it on Ebay, so not that easy to find :-(. I just saw a video of it on youtube, the same ugly chesspieces as those of the Saber IV and the Chess Station. But I liked the sounds it makes! Hope to find one someday.
Larry wrote:
Reinfeld wrote: Another reason to love Super Connie, the prince of the old dedicated kingdom. But it's not cheap.

- R.
Strange, because I come from that era and as I recall the Super Connie
enjoyed a fairly big production run. I'm wondering if the apparent rarity
is caused by the rechargeable backup battery the SC had, which had the
purpose of saving personal settings, and unfinished games. Over time
the battery leaked onto the mainboard and played merry hell.
Years ago I took the trouble to take the backup batteries out of my
SC, Connie, and Connie 3.6.
L
The Super Connie has become the most super cult chesscomputer ever, maybe that's why? In Europe you are very lucky if you can get it for less then 200,- euro...
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...
Celadus
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Re: Best dedicated buys by brand

Post by Celadus »

paulwise3 wrote:
Reinfeld wrote: 4. Excalibur Igor

What else? The tackiest player on this list, as well as the most unorthodox in style, and super easy to find. This thing is a crazy uncle. You stow it away out of embarrassment, and play it when no one's looking.
In Europe I never see it on Ebay, so not that easy to find :-(. I just saw a video of it on youtube, the same ugly chesspieces as those of the Saber IV and the Chess Station. But I liked the sounds it makes! Hope to find one someday.
Larry wrote:
Reinfeld wrote: Another reason to love Super Connie, the prince of the old dedicated kingdom. But it's not cheap.

- R.
Strange, because I come from that era and as I recall the Super Connie
enjoyed a fairly big production run. I'm wondering if the apparent rarity
is caused by the rechargeable backup battery the SC had, which had the
purpose of saving personal settings, and unfinished games. Over time
the battery leaked onto the mainboard and played merry hell.
Years ago I took the trouble to take the backup batteries out of my
SC, Connie, and Connie 3.6.
L
The Super Connie has become the most super cult chesscomputer ever, maybe that's why? In Europe you are very lucky if you can get it for less then 200,- euro...
Have you played against the Novag Forte? It is alleged to come from the same family and be a little stronger.
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paulwise3
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Post by paulwise3 »

Thanx for the suggestion. No, I don't know the Forte. But then, I am collecting and studying these beasts for only two or three years now...
I will keep my eyes open for it! ;-)

Forte 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...
steffen
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Post by steffen »

steffen wrote:
8. Novag
Star Sapphire --> the strongest handheld.
I thinkI need to correct this:
My Star Sapphire is no more working. One square did not function, could not be touched on the display, unrepairable...
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paulwise3
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Post by paulwise3 »

Within a few days a "tacky Igor" will be sent to me...
Looking forward to play with it!

Happy collector 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...
kosterix
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Post by kosterix »

Wait, what? Does the Connie 3.6 have batteries that can leak? Where? I do not want its insides getting eaten. Worried now..
Strive for avoiding anything flat that emits light. Love the unhackable chess computer with real pieces and a tactile feel. I do not collect, I live.
kosterix
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Post by kosterix »

Typically something american, see
https://www.ebay.nl/sch/i.html?_odkw=ig ... g&_sacat=0

$50, with $15 customs + $20 pnp would make it quite a costly affair.

Does anyone in europe have it?
Strive for avoiding anything flat that emits light. Love the unhackable chess computer with real pieces and a tactile feel. I do not collect, I live.
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paulwise3
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Post by paulwise3 »

And beware...! Make sure it is not the totally identical Igor 711E-2 (see my post about it). The original Igor (711E) may be worth it (about 1800 FIDE elo), but the Igor 2 may be less then 1400 FIDE elo...
You could also recognize it by the levels:
The max level of the Igor 2 is 79 sec/move, whereas the original Igor also has tournament levels, like the Regency, Concerto or Krypton Challenge.

Fake 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...
Larry
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Location: Gosford, NSW Australia

Post by Larry »

kosterix wrote:Wait, what? Does the Connie 3.6 have batteries that can leak? Where? I do not want its insides getting eaten. Worried now..
Yes, the Connie 3.6 has a rechargeable battery as part of the main board,
soldered in place by the manufacturer. Sooner or later it will leak onto
main board and play merry hell with the circuitry. The remedy is to take
the back off the Connie and snip the battery out. The game will no longer
save data when it is turned off, but that would be the case after it starts
leaking.
You will have to put your thinking cap on to figure out how to get the back off.
It was designed by a person who has a grudge against humanity. But take
heart and have faith in yourself...you'll win.
L
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