Lexibook dedicated computer question

[JonP01]

Well it does not look like any games are going to begin

I just received a Lexibook Chessman Elite this morning. This device:

1. Has no openings book.

2. Cannot play white from the top.

3. Opens with only 1. b4 as white.

4. Makes illegal moves.

5. Does not allow legal moves.


Here is quick example of a short game I played against it (I was white):

1. d4 b6

2. b3

at this point I wanted to play 2. Nf3, however the computer told me this move was illegal. After trying a number of other legal moves, it finally accepted 2. b3

2...Rxg2


Here is another very short game I played against it (I was white again):

1. e4 b5
2. Rb2 Rxg2


So Stunned I am completely lost for words Regards

Jonathan

[JonP01]

And just incase there was an initial position setup bug, I created a normal starting position manually. Here is how the game went:

Game # 1

1. Bxb2 e2xd1

2. Ng1xf2 g2-g1 checkmate

I forgot to mention that the machine came with 9 black pawns and 1 only black bishop. However I might as well use blobs of blue-tak for the pieces so that hardly matters

I've really learned my lesson about eBay. Never, ever again. It either comes from a proper retail store or it doesn't come at all!!!

I will wake up from the nightmare Regards

Jonathan

[Steve B]

And just incase there was an initial position setup bug, I created a normal starting position manually. Here is how the game went:

Game # 1

1. Bxb2 e2xd1

2. Ng1xf2 g2-g1 checkmate

I forgot to mention that the machine came with 9 black pawns and 1 only black bishop. However I might as well use blobs of blue-tak for the pieces so that hardly matters

I've really learned my lesson about eBay. Never, ever again. It either comes from a proper retail store or it doesn't come at all!!!

I will wake up from the nightmare Regards

Jonathan

Sorry to hear that Jon
it was the Lexibook Chessman Pro that Cameron and i determined was the same as the Yeno 430XT

have no clue if ALL Lexibooks are Yeno clones

Live And Learn Regards
Steve

[JonP01]

Hi Steve,

The user manual I saw was identical for both the Chessman Pro and Chessman Elite. Looking at the manual, all the levels and timings are precisely the same for both units. All the features are supposedly identical as well. I suspect they are supposed to be the same in theory.

The problems with this particular machine go much deeper than I had first thought. The unit cannot keep track of where the pieces are on the board. It randomly deletes a King off the board, it creates extra Queens without first promoting it's pawns, it thinks that rooks move like bishops, it captures it's own pieces, it will not accept legal knight moves, it moves pawns backwards after positions are setup, it will not allow pawn captures and thinks mate occurs in impossible positions.

I've emailed the seller asking for a refund. The machine is either catastrophically faulty, or not of merchandable quality. I can't see how it could be considered to be anything else. Being eBay, I imagine the chances of getting any money back are extremely slim.

But I'm not sure I am willing to risk buying another Lexibook no matter what model it is or where it comes from. I've lost so much money as a buyer on eBay this last 6 months that it's no longer worth the trouble. It's better to go without than just throw money away like this.

Playing it safe from now on Regards

Jonathan

[Steve B]

but you said the Elite has no book
the Chessman Pro's manual speaks about its book


Puzzled Regards
Steve

[JonP01]

Hi Steve,

The actual physical unit I have (Chessman Elite) does not have an opening book. However the user manual for the Chessman Elite states that it does indeed have an openings book (it claims a total of 20 openings).

The seller has just advised me that she will refund my money (less postage) which is very good news. I am thankful that she has agreed to do this even though she has no knowledge of chess and therefore cannot verify my claims about the catastrophic problems with the machine. However, I did tell her that if she knew someone who had a good knowledge of chess and chess notation, that I could send her a large selection of games where the impossible occurs.

I would still very much like to conduct this match, but I am convinced the Chessman Pro and Chessman Elite are exactly the same except in appearance. It raises the question in my mind that there are batches of these machines in the wild that are seriously flawed.

And they all might be on Ebay Regards

Jonathan

[Steve B]

so your saying that you suspect the Chessman Pro has no book also even though it says so in the manual or you think there is something wrong only with your unit?? or only the Elites??

Startled Regards
Steve

[JonP01]

I really don't know Steve. All I can be sure of is what the machines are supposed to possess feature-wise in theory. Both the Elite and Pro are supposed to have libraries. Danielson himself tells me there is absolutely no difference whatseover between the Companion II and any Lexibook program bar the extra levels and coach features. Therefore the library ought to be the same as it was in the Scysis Companion II. As for hardware differences, Danielson tell sme that the actual processor has changed from the Companion II days, however it doesn't really make any significant difference.

I think you told me you don't own any Lexibook machines, so I think the only person who can absolutely confirm things is Alain (who I think owns a Chessman Pro but not an Elite).

I'd like to think my Elite machine has some sort of "factory" software issue that causes it to turn on and appear to function normally, but causes it to be completely incapable of actually playing chess.

Jonathan

[JonP01]

No, it's not Alain's website - it's another French one. Here is a game with the Chessman Pro:

http://electronicchess.free.fr/parties/chessmanpro.html

And here is what happened with my machine:

1. d4 e6
2. Nc3 (move disallowed by computer as illegal).


Slight Difference Regards


Jonathan

[Steve B]

I really don't know Steve. All I can be sure of is what the machines are supposed to possess feature-wise in theory. Both the Elite and Pro are supposed to have libraries. Danielson himself tells me there is absolutely no difference whatseover between the Companion II and any Lexibook program bar the extra levels and coach features. Therefore the library ought to be the same as it was in the Scysis Companion II. As for hardware differences, Danielson tell sme that the actual processor has changed from the Companion II days, however it doesn't really make any significant difference.

I think you told me you don't own any Lexibook machines, so I think the only person who can absolutely confirm things is Alain (who I think owns a Chessman Pro but not an Elite).

I'd like to think my Elite machine has some sort of "factory" software issue that causes it to turn on and appear to function normally, but causes it to be completely incapable of actually playing chess.

Jonathan

ok Alain hopefully will enlighten us on this issue

perhaps you can keep an eye out for a Yeno on ebay?
or do you only prefer new computers?

if only new...
i would be willing to send you my 430 XT on loaner for you to conduct the match which i find quite interesting
i would incurr the round trip shipping costs
you have the manual already(Lexibook Pro)
if i had a double of the 430 XT i would just give it to you
i would only send the computer as i dont think you really need the pieces and adaptor

i realize i have the SB and could perform the match myself but i simply dont have the strength to do 15-16 games at 40/2 but i am interested in the results

What Say You Regards?
Steve