Alexandra Get Beaten but Only after a Fight.....

[fern]

After dispatching old, illustrious Morphy Encore, the turn was, in my tournament against dedicated machine, for Alexandra by Excalibur.
This plastic machine of low cost could seem, at fist, a mere toy for children. But it is not so and that's the reason it has gained my affection along the few years I have it.
I cannot say for certain, but my guess is that Alexandra plays at a decent 1650-1700 level and so it must be treated wit some respect. It is not a matter of winning a game just throwing hits with an umbrella. This Ron Nelson program can avoid tactical tricks at least in his higher levels and has some acumen of positions and knows when NOt to take a pawn or make an exchange.
So it happened that my victory was gotten only after heavy fight and in the ending, when I distracted his King trough unavoidable moves in order to let mine to penetrate and kill his pawns.
It was an enjoyable game and as other times I recommend this humble but not too much weak machine for a good leisurely afternoon.

My best
Fern

[Matthias Gemuh]

Yes, it is always profitable to spend an afternoon with a nice Alexandra .

Matthias.

[Larry]

You said the Alexandra is a Ron Nelson program. I'm wondering if
it is Turbostar432 in a newer plastic case. Nelson was, as a youngster,
a junior master, so I have read. He is a better chess player than a
chess program author, IMO.
However, you now have my curiosity aroused, so I will include
this machine in my 'wanted' list.
all the best
Larry ( lost badly to my Connie Expert today)

[fern]

Larry:
According to Steve Blincoe, an authority in these matters, its a Nelson program. As it is Grandmaster Excalibur, his best output to date.
Nelson was not a great programmer, that is truth, but in the course of the years he couldn't but learn from the so many programs and techniques today available.
Of course the passing of the years has a toll; Blincoe told me that Nelson told him that as programming Alexandra he forgot to include in the code the function "permanent brain".

Intermittent brain regards
Fern

[Steve B]

Larry:
According to Steve Blincoe, an authority in these matters, its a Nelson program. As it is Grandmaster Excalibur, his best output to date.
Nelson was not a great programmer, that is truth, but in the course of the years he couldn't but learn from the so many programs and techniques today available.
Of course the passing of the years has a toll; Blincoe told me that Nelson told him that as programming Alexandra he forgot to include in the code the function "permanent brain".

Intermittent brain regards
Fern

i think i said the Alexandra was the same as the Deluxe Talking Touch Chess Fern
they are both about 100+ elo weaker then the GM
but you are correct that there is no permanent brain function

Setting The Record Straight Regards
Steve