I miss those times!!!

[hammerklavier]

SSDF Computer Rating List (17-JAN-1996)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

46909 games played by 148 computers
Rating + - Games Won Oppo
------ --- --- ----- --- ----
1 MChess Pro 5.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2447 33 -32 498 68% 2315
2 Genius 3.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2435 33 -31 498 66% 2317
3 Rebel 7.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2423 31 -30 559 62% 2334
4 Genius 4.0 Pentium 90 MHz NEW!!! 2421 57 -54 167 63% 2326
5 Rebel 6.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2416 36 -35 388 60% 2341
6 Hiarcs 3.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2399 37 -35 384 60% 2329
7 MChess Pro 4.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2381 35 -34 414 55% 2343
8 Rebel 7.0 486/50-66 MHz 2373 42 -40 307 63% 2282
9 MChess Pro 5.0 486/50-66 MHz 2372 41 -39 317 61% 2292
10 Fritz 3.0 Pentium 90 MHz 2370 33 -33 455 58% 2314
11 R30 v. 2.5 2369 60 -53 179 72% 2201
12 Genius 3.0 486/50-66 MHz 2365 27 -26 750 65% 2255
13 Mephisto Genius 2.0 486/50-66 MHz 2342 26 -25 757 60% 2271
14 MChess Pro 4.0 486/50-66 MHz 2324 27 -27 666 57% 2277
15 WChess 1.06 Pentium 90 MHz 2322 34 -34 420 45% 2354
16 Rebel 6.0 486/50-66 MHz 2310 26 -25 744 58% 2256
17 Hiarcs 3.0 486/50-66 MHz 2309 27 -27 666 54% 2282
18 Chess Machine 30-32 MHz Schröder 3.1 2306 32 -30 546 68% 2175
18 WChess 1.03 486/50-66 MHz 2306 29 -29 578 48% 2317
20 Meph Genius 68 030 33 MHz 2304 50 -49 202 54% 2272
21 Ch.Machine 30 MHz King 2.0 aggr/R30 off 2299 22 -22 1081 67% 2176
22 Chessmaster 4000 486/50-66 MHz 2295 34 -33 462 66% 2174
23 Chess Genius 1.0 486/50-66 MHz 2290 26 -25 756 56% 2245
24 MChess Pro 3.5 486/50-66 MHz 2277 25 -25 762 55% 2243
25 Chess Machine 30 MHz Schröder 3.0 2276 62 -55 168 73% 2104
26 Mephisto Gideon Pro 486/50-66 MHz 2275 35 -34 421 62% 2186
27 MChess Pro 3.12 486/50-66 MHz 2267 36 -34 438 69% 2124
28 Fritz 3.0 486/50-66 MHz 2264 25 -25 801 54% 2235
29 Mephisto Lyon 68030 36 MHz 2258 34 -31 564 77% 2050
30 Chess Genius 1.0 486/33 MHz 2249 32 -32 463 50% 2249
31 Mephisto Portorose 68030 36 MHz 2237 40 -36 407 77% 2028
32 Mephisto Vancouver 68030 36 MHz 2234 37 -34 451 73% 2058
33 MChess Pro 3.12 486/33 MHz 2230 50 -48 208 60% 2156
34 Kallisto 1.82-1.83 486/50-66 MHz 2223 25 -25 773 46% 2251
35 Berlin Pro 68 020 24 MHz 2218 27 -26 705 62% 2133
36 Kasparov SPARC 20 MHz 2213 27 -27 662 54% 2182
37 Mephisto RISC 1 MB ARM 2 14 MHz 2206 23 -22 981 60% 2133
38 Hiarcs Master 2.0 486/33 MHz 2204 46 -46 229 51% 2195
39 Saitek RISC 2500 ARM2 14 MHz 128K 2195 23 -23 955 58% 2137
39 Chess Machine Schröder 512K ARM2 16MHz 2195 27 -26 703 62% 2111
41 MChess 1.1-1.71 486/33 MHz 2194 44 -40 326 74% 2016
42 Chess Machine The King 512K ARM2 16MHz 2178 32 -32 473 55% 2140
43 Mephisto Montreux ARM 14 MHz 512K 2176 48 -43 284 75% 1982
44 Mephisto Vancouver 68020 12 MHz 2163 24 -23 935 68% 2027
45 Mephisto Lyon 68020 12 MHz 2150 20 -20 1270 63% 2058
46 Socrates 3.0 486/33 MHz 2144 49 -50 203 47% 2165
47 Fritz 2.0 486/33 MHz 2137 30 -31 527 45% 2172
48 Mephisto Portorose 68020 12 MHz 2127 26 -24 896 73% 1956
48 M Chess 1.1-1.71 386/25-33 MHz 2127 36 -35 408 65% 2018
50 Fidelity Elite 68030 32 MHz (vers.9) 2121 40 -37 372 73% 1952
50 Mephisto Berlin 68 000 12 MHz 2121 25 -25 805 59% 2058
52 Mephisto Lyon 68000 12 MHz 2105 22 -21 1068 58% 2047
53 Mephisto Vancouver 68000 12 MHz 2104 23 -22 971 57% 2055
54 Mephisto MM 4 Turbo Kit 6502 16 MHz 2092 46 -42 292 73% 1917
55 Novag Sapphire H8 10 MHz 2088 25 -24 807 51% 2081
56 Mephisto Almeria 68020 12 MHz 2073 42 -40 305 62% 1986
57 Fidelity Mach IV 68020 20 MHz 2072 19 -19 1290 53% 2053
57 Hiarcs Master 1.0 486/33 MHz 2072 48 -48 214 48% 2089
59 Mephisto Portorose 68000 12 MHz 2042 26 -25 767 63% 1948
59 Fritz 1.0 486/33 MHz 2042 48 -47 215 55% 2009
59 Mephisto Polgar 6502 10 MHz 2042 43 -41 283 59% 1979
62 Nimzo 2.2.1 486/33 MHz 2036 46 -47 229 42% 2090
63 Fidelity Elite 68000 x 2 (vers. 5) 2035 49 -48 209 57% 1986
64 Zarkov 3.0 486/25-33 MHz 2032 46 -48 232 39% 2111
65 Rex Chess 2.3 386/25-33 MHz 2029 65 -62 126 59% 1964
65 Mephisto Roma 68020 14 MHz 2029 27 -26 712 65% 1919
67 Mephisto Dallas 68020 14 MHz 2022 35 -32 492 72% 1860
67 Kasparov Brute Force H8 10 MHz 2022 23 -23 906 44% 2061
69 Mephisto Almeria 68000 12 MHz 2020 32 -30 534 67% 1897
69 Zarkov 2.5 386/25-33 MHz 2020 56 -53 168 61% 1941
71 Fritz 1.0 386/25-33 MHz 2008 66 -67 113 46% 2039
71 Novag Diablo 68000 16 MHz 2008 21 -22 1080 41% 2071
73 Fidelity Mach III 68000 16 MHz 1993 14 -14 2404 52% 1980
74 Complete Chess System 486/33 MHz 1985 47 -47 221 47% 2008
75 Mephisto MM 5 6502 5 MHz 1981 20 -20 1264 49% 1985
76 Kasparov President/GK-2100 H8 10 MHz 1976 29 -30 558 47% 1998
77 Mephisto Polgar 6502 5 MHz 1971 17 -17 1693 42% 2031
78 Mephisto Dallas 68000 12 MHz 1970 21 -21 1138 62% 1885
78 Mephisto Roma 68000 12 MHz 1970 18 -18 1519 56% 1927
80 Mephisto Milano 6502 5 MHz 1966 24 -25 820 42% 2026
81 Novag Super Expert C 6502 6 MHz Sel 5 1961 18 -18 1528 46% 1989
82 Zarkov 2.6 386/25-33 MHz 1960 64 -62 125 56% 1917
83 Mephisto Academy 6502 5 MHz 1937 18 -18 1495 44% 1979
84 Chessmaster 3000 386/25-33 MHz 1933 68 -74 103 36% 2031
85 Rex Chess 2.3 386/16-20 MHz 1930 53 -53 174 49% 1936
86 Saitek Leonardo Maestro B 6502 18 MHz 1927 73 -67 105 62% 1841
87 Mephisto Amsterdam 68000 12 MHz 1926 22 -22 1020 58% 1872
88 Novag Super Expert B 6502 6 MHz sel 4 1920 29 -29 562 48% 1934
89 Mephisto Mega IV 6502 4.9 MHz 1917 18 -18 1544 44% 1956
90 Saitek Maestro D 6502 10 MHz 1915 26 -26 736 51% 1909
91 Fidelity Excel Mach IIc 68000 12 MHz 1914 23 -23 955 50% 1911
92 Novag Expert Turbo Kit 6502 16 MHz 1909 67 -63 120 61% 1828
93 Mephisto MM 4 6502 5 MHz 1903 19 -19 1288 51% 1900
94 Fidelity Travel Master H8/330 10 MHz 1898 65 -79 123 22% 2113
95 Kasparov GK-2000 H8 10 MHz 1897 29 -29 593 42% 1953
96 Mephisto Modena 6502 4 MHz 1896 28 -29 615 41% 1959
97 Psion Atari 68000 8 MHz 1882 18 -18 1487 44% 1928
98 CXG Sphinx Galaxy 6502 4 MHz 1881 17 -18 1670 38% 1971
99 Novag Ruby H8 10 MHz 1879 30 -30 545 42% 1934
100 Fidelity Excel Mach IIa 68000 12 MHz 1877 46 -47 226 47% 1897
101 Saitek Turboking II 6502 5 MHz 1868 23 -23 963 37% 1964
101 Conchess Plymate Victoria 6502 5.5 MHz 1868 26 -27 701 40% 1941
103 Fidelity Excel Club 68000 12 MHz 1857 23 -23 931 51% 1848
104 Mephisto Mega IV Brute Force 1852 36 -37 370 41% 1914
105 Novag Super Expert/Forte A 6502 5 MHz 1836 19 -20 1318 39% 1917
106 Fidelity Par Excellence 6502 5 MHz 1835 22 -22 1021 49% 1845
107 Fidelity Avant Garde 6502 5 MHz 1834 20 -20 1196 46% 1866
108 Mephisto Rebell 6502 5 MHz 1823 19 -19 1353 39% 1902
109 Saitek Stratos/Analys B 6502 6 MHz 1820 20 -21 1213 38% 1908
110 Mephisto Super Mondial 6502 4 MHz 1817 19 -20 1315 38% 1904
111 Novag Forte B 6502 5 MHz 1816 24 -24 837 44% 1859
112 Saitek Leonardo Maestro A 6502 6 MHz 1810 30 -30 547 45% 1845
113 Novag Forte A 6502 5 MHz 1808 22 -22 964 48% 1821
113 Conchess Plymate 6502 5.5 MHz 1808 16 -16 2019 40% 1878
115 Saitek Simultano/Corona C 6502 5 MHz 1806 23 -24 969 33% 1933
116 Fidelity Excellence 6502 4 MHz 1800 18 -18 1565 43% 1852
117 Novag Expert 6502 4 MHz 1788 24 -24 843 42% 1846
118 Fidelity Elegance 6502 3.6 MHz 1780 40 -40 303 54% 1751
119 Conchess Plymate 6502 4 MHz 1779 39 -38 333 55% 1747
120 Mephisto MM 2 6502 3.7 MHz 1772 49 -48 208 52% 1755
121 Saitek Turbostar 432 6502 4 MHz 1764 22 -22 1005 45% 1801
122 Fidelity Excellence 6502 3 MHz 1756 22 -23 960 42% 1814
123 Saitek Kasparov Blitz 1734 45 -47 239 37% 1825
123 Novag Super Nova 1734 37 -38 350 40% 1802
125 Novag Super Constellation 6502 4 MHz 1731 18 -18 1626 35% 1840
126 Conchess Glasgow 6502 4 MHz 1719 39 -39 327 50% 1721
127 Chessplayer 2150 Atari/Amiga 1714 58 -63 146 33% 1837
128 The Final Chesscard 6502 5 MHz 1700 57 -64 156 27% 1871
129 Novag Super VIP 1687 53 -58 174 32% 1816
129 Chessmaster 2100 Amiga 68000 1687 65 -76 120 25% 1874
131 Mephisto Europa 1682 50 -52 190 42% 1740
132 Saitek Superstar 36K 6502 2 MHz 1678 23 -24 954 31% 1818
133 Fidelity Elite A/S 6502 3.2 MHz 1677 23 -24 1023 29% 1836
134 Chess Champion 2175 Atari/Amiga 1672 56 -62 157 30% 1821
135 Conchess Glasgow 6502 2 MHz 1667 24 -25 855 34% 1781
136 Novag Quattro 6502 4 MHz 1662 30 -31 560 33% 1789
137 Fidelity Prestige 6502 4 MHz 1660 64 -66 118 44% 1702
138 Chessmaster 2000 Atari 68000 8 MHz 1654 41 -45 312 25% 1841
139 Novag Constellation 6502 3.6 MHz 1647 31 -32 504 41% 1714
140 Novag Constellation Primo 1637 57 -59 149 44% 1682
141 Novag Constellation 6502 2 MHz 1596 32 -33 479 35% 1705
142 CXG Super Enterprise 1562 36 -39 386 28% 1726

[Tom Likens]

This list brings back a lot of fond memories, thanks for posting it. I especially enjoyed
these two by Dave Kittinger:

125 Novag Super Constellation 6502 4 MHz 1731 18 -18 1626 35% 1840

139 Novag Constellation 6502 3.6 MHz 1647 31 -32 504 41% 1714

I bought both. The Novag Constellation around 1981-82 when I was in England and the
Super-Constellation later. I still have the Super Constellation and occasionally play it.
In fact, last year I arrived at this position against it and was able, after much
trepidation, to play

1.. Rxe3!

[D] 1r2r1k1/p4pbp/1p3qp1/2pP3n/2N3n1/1Q2B1P1/P3PPBP/1R1R2K1 b - -

Of course, modern engines see this quickly but neurons still hesitate.

regards,
--tom

[Kingghidorah]

I agree wholeheartly, those were the golden years of computer chess. When engines were totally different in style & features.

[Steve B]

Actually the golden years for dedicated chess computers were in the 1980's
i remember each month/week bringing news of yet another new model released by 3-4 different companies all claiming ELO bragging rights
Where today you have new PC engines released every other Thursday...back then it was a dedicated computer..with not only a new Engine but new features or a new board with a new set of pieces

Those Were The Days Regards
Steve

[Matthias Gemuh]

I bought

75 Mephisto MM 5 6502 5 MHz 1981 20 -20 1264 49% 1985

and never won a game against it.
I enjoyed seeing it lose against BigLion.


Matthias.

[bob]

This list brings back a lot of fond memories, thanks for posting it. I especially enjoyed
these two by Dave Kittinger:

125 Novag Super Constellation 6502 4 MHz 1731 18 -18 1626 35% 1840

139 Novag Constellation 6502 3.6 MHz 1647 31 -32 504 41% 1714

I bought both. The Novag Constellation around 1981-82 when I was in England and the
Super-Constellation later. I still have the Super Constellation and occasionally play it.
In fact, last year I arrived at this position against it and was able, after much
trepidation, to play

1.. Rxe3!

[D] 1r2r1k1/p4pbp/1p3qp1/2pP3n/2N3n1/1Q2B1P1/P3PPBP/1R1R2K1 b - -

Of course, modern engines see this quickly but neurons still hesitate.

regards,
--tom

I've told this story before, but...

We had a chess club at the University of Southern Mississippi, and myself, Bert Gower, and a friend of ours from Physics (I will only give his first name, Larry, to protect the ravaged) were the primary 3 players, with quite a few students. And we had regularly scheduled tournaments, including one long-time-control one each year. The year in question, we had an odd number of opponents, and Bert suggested entering his Super Connie to avoid any bye issues. Everyone agreed. Only problem was, Bert and I had discovered a fairly simple way to win a piece (about 18 moves into the game, and the Super Connie simply could not see deep enough to avoid it....)

We started the tournament, and when I played the Super Connie, I obviously won easily. I beat everyone but Larry, who was definitely stronger than me. However, Larry lost to the Super Connie and drew with Bert. Leaving me at the top with 1 loss, and him with 1 loss and 1 draw. He was beyond pissed. And months later, he apparently studied the games and noticed both Bert and I played the same first 18 moves, although after we won the piece, we varied beyond that point. Now he was doubly pissed.

[Tom Likens]

I've told this story before, but...

We had a chess club at the University of Southern Mississippi, and myself, Bert Gower, and a friend of ours from Physics (I will only give his first name, Larry, to protect the ravaged) were the primary 3 players, with quite a few students. And we had regularly scheduled tournaments, including one long-time-control one each year. The year in question, we had an odd number of opponents, and Bert suggested entering his Super Connie to avoid any bye issues. Everyone agreed. Only problem was, Bert and I had discovered a fairly simple way to win a piece (about 18 moves into the game, and the Super Connie simply could not see deep enough to avoid it....)

We started the tournament, and when I played the Super Connie, I obviously won easily. I beat everyone but Larry, who was definitely stronger than me. However, Larry lost to the Super Connie and drew with Bert. Leaving me at the top with 1 loss, and him with 1 loss and 1 draw. He was beyond pissed. And months later, he apparently studied the games and noticed both Bert and I played the same first 18 moves, although after we won the piece, we varied beyond that point. Now he was doubly pissed.

Yeah, that what was (is) so great about the old standalone units. Besides the fact that they played
legal chess, which was a miracle back then, they also made tactical mistakes so it wasn't hopeless
playing against them. And that, coupled with the experience of moving real (i.e. miniature plastic)
chess pieces, made it a novel and interesting way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The Super Constellation is what made me want to be a chess programmer. I surmised, if this little
micro can be programmed to play chess how tough could it be?!

Now 30 years later, I'm a bit wiser.

regards,
--tom

[Dr.Wael Deeb]

Actually the golden years for dedicated chess computers were in the 1980's
i remember each month/week bringing news of yet another new model released by 3-4 different companies all claiming ELO bragging rights
Where today you have new PC engines released every other Thursday...back then it was a dedicated computer..with not only a new Engine but new features or a new board with a new set of pieces

Those Were The Days Regards
Steve

I wish that I'd lived through these days you describe steve
Unfortunately I was a school boy back then regards,
Dr.D

[Adam Hair]

Actually the golden years for dedicated chess computers were in the 1980's
i remember each month/week bringing news of yet another new model released by 3-4 different companies all claiming ELO bragging rights
Where today you have new PC engines released every other Thursday...back then it was a dedicated computer..with not only a new Engine but new features or a new board with a new set of pieces

Those Were The Days Regards
Steve

I wish that I'd lived through these days you describe steve
Unfortunately I was a school boy back then regards,
Dr.D

My story is the same as the good doctor's.
I bought a couple of Saiteks (I think) that were endorsed by Kasparov
from Radio Shack in the mid to late 1990s.
I had no idea of the variety, quality, and history of dedicated chess
computers until I met Mr. B. I hope one day to travel up to New York to see
The Eighth Wonder of The World Regards,
Adam

PS For the new folks, I am referring to the Blincoe chess computer compound, which hold all of these treasures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/10261668@N05/sets

[Steve B]

Actually the golden years for dedicated chess computers were in the 1980's
i remember each month/week bringing news of yet another new model released by 3-4 different companies all claiming ELO bragging rights
Where today you have new PC engines released every other Thursday...back then it was a dedicated computer..with not only a new Engine but new features or a new board with a new set of pieces

Those Were The Days Regards
Steve

I wish that I'd lived through these days you describe steve
Unfortunately I was a school boy back then regards,
Dr.D

Believe me when i say Dr. D ..i would much rather have been a school boy back in the 80's also with very few chess computers
trading in all of my computers for 20 years seems like a great deal to me

ok ok ..for all of my computers

Make it 30 years Regards
Steve