Deluxe Talking Touch Chess Reappraisal

[fern]

Until now I had played only casual, shallow games with this hand held unit, the kind of games you play in airports or in the plane, fast games, half distracted games, almost always interrupted games.
Today I played it at 40 moves in 60 minutes and to my surprise I found an altogether lot better machine than I thought. I have never had a very hight impression of Ron Nelson programs and to say the truth still this one, after so many years of his first endeavor, in the end of 70's, still play at least once move of the kind King from g to h, just to wait .
Nevertheless, it plays a sensible, decently strong game. It has inclination for moves you does not expect and that have a point. In the end you get a good 1600-1700 and sometimes stronger kind of game, more than adequate for a satisfying couple of hours.
I felt I must say this after so many unpleasant things I have said about Nelson wok.

Humble regards
Fernando

[Steve B]

And so....

for your eyes only..

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/cpaa2@sbcgl ... 23729332/0

Cryptic Regards
Steve

[JonP01]

I have to say if this is the replacement unit I find it to be uglier than the existing model Still, it does have the backlight and I can always hope that the bugs in the existing model will be fixed.

Always Hoping Regards

Jonathan

[Steve B]

I have to say if this is the replacement unit I find it to be uglier than the existing model Still, it does have the backlight and I can always hope that the bugs in the existing model will be fixed.

Always Hoping Regards

Jonathan

Actually Jon i think it looks rather sleek and stylish
very "New Millenium "if you ask me

now you want to see Ugly?

THIS is Ugly:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/cpaa2@sbcgl ... 56803648/9

Butt Ugly Regards
Steve

[JonP01]

Actually I quite like the look of the Poppy Challenger. Very retina-warming.

Disney Castle Regards

Jonathan

[Robert Weck]

I have to say if this is the replacement unit I find it to be uglier than the existing model Still, it does have the backlight and I can always hope that the bugs in the existing model will be fixed.

Always Hoping Regards

Jonathan

Actually Jon i think it looks rather sleek and stylish
very "New Millenium "if you ask me

I agree with you, Steve; it has a very modern look (like a pda)

and i would like to have a backlight on my DTCC...

now you want to see Ugly?

THIS is Ugly:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/cpaa2@sbcgl ... 56803648/9

I know, that the Poppy is rare and a collector's item, but i'm sure, the color will cause eye-cancer, if watched for longer than 5 mins!


blinking regards,
Robert

[Steve B]

I have to say if this is the replacement unit I find it to be uglier than the existing model Still, it does have the backlight and I can always hope that the bugs in the existing model will be fixed.

Always Hoping Regards

Jonathan

Actually Jon i think it looks rather sleek and stylish
very "New Millenium "if you ask me

I agree with you, Steve; it has a very modern look (like a pda)

and i would like to have a backlight on my DTCC...

now you want to see Ugly?

THIS is Ugly:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/cpaa2@sbcgl ... 56803648/9

I know, that the Poppy is rare and a collector's item, but i'm sure, the color will cause eye-cancer, if watched for longer than 5 mins!


blinking regards,
Robert

yes Robert the Poppy really is quite an eye-sore
i even tried using black and white pieces and even wooden pieces

nothing helps!

Feeling A bit Queasy Regards
Steve

[fern]

The questions is: Did Nelson improved the engine or it is just a matter of stylish changes and, at last, implementing "thinking in adversary time" function?

De Luxe Regards
Fernando

[cornetmike]

Hahahaha! I quite like the Poppy Chess Challenger.

Now I don't know if my Excalibur "King Arthur" is a Nelson program, but it does play strangely, even at the highest levels. In semi-closed positions, (spanish game, french defense), it will shuffle a rook or bishop back and forth quite often. And in three games so far, for no apparent reason, it played R-G1, forfeiting the right to castle. My old Fidelity Excellence beats it easily. I do too. And why no "ponder?" Considering how long dedicated units have been made, and the price my wife paid, I think the King Arthur should play at least as strong as the Excellence AND think on opponent's time. Just my two cents from

Mikey

[fern]

King Arthur is of the kind of programs Nelson did to delight beginners. It plays purposely bad. Alexandra, Touch Deluxe and Grandmaster are far better.
Nelson is first a marketing m,an, only then a chess programmer .

Alexandra regards
Fernando