Automated piece mover Chess Computer?

[M ANSARI]

I remember a few years back (ok maybe more than a few years) I bought a standalone chess set (I think it was called Chesster) that would move the pieces automatically. I bought it for my mom and she really loved it. Unfortunately like all mechanical devices it broke down and I was unable to fix it. Does anyone know if there is something similar being sold today?

[AdminX]

I remember a few years back (ok maybe more than a few years) I bought a standalone chess set (I think it was called Chesster) that would move the pieces automatically. I bought it for my mom and she really loved it. Unfortunately like all mechanical devices it broke down and I was unable to fix it. Does anyone know if there is something similar being sold today?

Take a look at:

http://www.chesshouse.com/Excalibur_Ele ... _p/b49.htm

[DeJaBe]

About 10 years ago I had control of an Excalibur Mirage automated chess computer. It was about 10 cm thick and it ran winboard engines with the strength of about 1800-2000. The machine itself cost about 400$ (at the time) and there is no version of it existing today. It was proceded by the Grandmaster 747k which cost about 150$ today but it doesn't move its own pieces. I had the Grandmaster 747 to replace the Mirage when it broke down after about 6 months of use (I was merely learning how to play chess at that time)

Picture and other info about it:
http://www.ismenio.com/chess_excalibur_mirage.html

Since then I haven't seen one that had any kind of auto move feature.

[Robert Weck]

About 10 years ago I had control of an Excalibur Mirage automated chess computer. It was about 10 cm thick and it ran winboard engines with the strength of about 1800-2000.

a small correction: no winboard engines, but a program by Ron Nelson (not exchangable)


Robert

[M ANSARI]

I remember a few years back (ok maybe more than a few years) I bought a standalone chess set (I think it was called Chesster) that would move the pieces automatically. I bought it for my mom and she really loved it. Unfortunately like all mechanical devices it broke down and I was unable to fix it. Does anyone know if there is something similar being sold today?

Take a look at:

http://www.chesshouse.com/Excalibur_Ele ... _p/b49.htm

Thanks! I just ordered it from Amazon at $199. This will be a nice gift although I hope it holds up better than the first one I bought.

[bob]

About 10 years ago I had control of an Excalibur Mirage automated chess computer. It was about 10 cm thick and it ran winboard engines with the strength of about 1800-2000.

a small correction: no winboard engines, but a program by Ron Nelson (not exchangable)


Robert

My favorite was the old Phantom. Used an electromagnet to slide the pieces around, much cleaner than the older Novag "robot adversary" I think it was called, that had a small robot arm that hung over the board to move the pieces by actually picking them up.

[Robert Weck]

About 10 years ago I had control of an Excalibur Mirage automated chess computer. It was about 10 cm thick and it ran winboard engines with the strength of about 1800-2000.

a small correction: no winboard engines, but a program by Ron Nelson (not exchangable)


Robert

My favorite was the old Phantom. Used an electromagnet to slide the pieces around, much cleaner than the older Novag "robot adversary" I think it was called, that had a small robot arm that hung over the board to move the pieces by actually picking them up.

And the Phantom plays much better than the old Novag Robot!

On the other hand, the robot arm is looking and acting much more spectacular (an attraction for kids!), but is very prone to defects.

I read a story about a dealer, who put a dozen or so in the the window of his store and let them play overnight in automatic mode as attraction for pedestrians. Next morning half of them were defective...


best regards,
Robert

[M ANSARI]

Yeah anything mechanical would seem to be prone to problems. It would be nice if parts were available to fix these. I bought the one mentioned by one posters for $200, I hope it is able to last longer than the other one I bought.