chess computers

[Tom_Alciere]

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

[jwiewel]

@Tom Alciere

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

Why?

Stand-alone chess computers like the Novag were nowhere near the strength of the chess programs of that day. Also, a stand-alone computer would require the cost of the platform plus the cost of the programming. That would go against the requirement for affordable.

[kevin_bachler]

@jwiewel

@Tom Alciere

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

Why?

Stand-alone chess computers like the Novag were nowhere near the strength of the chess programs of that day. Also, a stand-alone computer would require the cost of the platform plus the cost of the programming. That would go against the requirement for affordable.

Additionally, the cost of computer chess software is incrementally much lower than the cost of a dedicated device, and affords a machine that can be much more than a chess computer.

Frankly, a phone with a good engine plays well today -

The Chess House states this:

@The Chess House

What happened to traditional electronic chess sets
For over 30 years, Chess House sold chess computers that varied widely in their functionality and purpose. Everything from small handheld portable chess to full size table top chess computers. Some would teach with voice coaching, others would move their own pieces.

Sadly, in 2014, the last of the big three manufacturers of traditional electronic chess closed shop as they were acquired by larger companies that had no interest in producing chess any longer.

There is still significant demand for real chess computers to play against, and as of April 2014, DGT in the Netherlands is the only company producing. Their models are well made, but not priced for the general public.

These run $850 to $3,500. chesshouse.com/electronic_chess_s/5.htm

One could purchase a tablet, or a computer, and several different engines and a database for that.

There are places that sell old computers:

chessusa.com/product/82-S01. … 7AodAkwAMw

eBay has a large used selection.

amazon.com/Saitek-Olympiad-K … 0Computers

Check Amazon.

[Ron_Suarez]

Another option is to buy a DGT sensory board for under $1000 and connect it to a computer and use a playing program.

The DGT Revelation is the one over $3000. It can and does run a number of the latest, higher rated playing programs.

A decent laptop can be purchased for $700-$900.

The multi-processor chess playing programs usually are no more than $125.

Buying the above would be around $2000. And the computer and Chess playing program can be updated at anytime.

[jjamesge1]

mephisto.net/

[lblair]

@Tom Alciere

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

@jwiewel

Why?

Stand-alone chess computers like the Novag were nowhere near the strength of the chess programs of that day. Also, a stand-alone computer would require the cost of the platform plus the cost of the programming. That would go against the requirement for affordable.

I think there was once a time (maybe about three decades ago) when the stand-alone chess computers were the strongest commercially available electronic chess opponents, but, of course, that was then, and this is now.

These days, it is perhaps not so important what is the strongest opponent because so many are strong enough for many purposes.

@GM John Nunn (2007)

Once you have got your playing engine set up, what do you do with it? One of the last things you should do, except if you are a masochist, is to play games against your computer. Assuming you are not one of the top few players in the world (and possibly even then), this will only make you depressed.

A review of chess engines (Choosing a Chess Engine) can be seen at chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/page/3/ .

[Jion_Wansu]

Does anyone know what the chess.com computer players (Computer3-HARD, etc.) use for their engine?

[jjamesge1]

@Jion_Wansu

Does anyone know what the chess.com computer players (Computer3-HARD, etc.) use for their engine?

If chess.com is anything like FICS or ICS, you can [finger] for information. Not sure about chess.com, but I’d think there would be a way to find out information about various opponents.

[Jion_Wansu]

I wonder how. I know that Computer3-HARD always falls for the same tricks against me. It’s like they are programmed to make the same move sequences every time, even if it loses!

[Crume]

@Tom Alciere

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

Define the specs of “chess computer” that you’re looking for.

Stockfish is IM strength and available free on iPhone and Android. That price is rather attractive.

[William_H_Stokes]

@Crume

@Tom Alciere

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

Define the specs of “chess computer” that you’re looking for.

Stockfish is IM strength and available free on iPhone and Android. That price is rather attractive.

I would like to see some games between Stockfish and an IM. I’ve played both and I’m favoring the Android version of Stockfish in a match.

[jjamesge1]

@William H Stokes

@Crume

@Tom Alciere

I went shopping for a chess computer and found nothing in town. The selection on the USCF website is only one item. I found something on a commercial website and placed an order. Affordable stand-alone chess computers need to be available.

Define the specs of “chess computer” that you’re looking for.

Stockfish is IM strength and available free on iPhone and Android. That price is rather attractive.

I would like to see some games between Stockfish and an IM. I’ve played both and I’m favoring the Android version of Stockfish in a match.

I would even a GM would have a hard time beating Stockfish on an android phone. Using the latest hardware, the difficulty should be close to 2800 if not more. Even on my Samsung Galaxy S2, I’d think Stockfish would clock over 2700 ELO.