I’m hoping for some input from one of our chess players here; I’ve decided that I want a stand-alone chess computer to play chess with. I’m not a big fan of playing while sitting in front of my computer; I want an actual board that I can sit in front of. I also don’t want one of those cheap plastic computers that you have to press down on to have the move registered. What I would like is a solid wood board with a strong computer inside.
I’ve been looking around for reviews and the only thing that seems to come close is the Novag Citrine; however the reviews call it small, cheap-feeling, and not real wood, just vinyl print on top of pressboard.
The DGT boart seems high-quality, but unless I’m mis-reading the way it works, you have to look at the computer to see when it’s moved, read the move, then make the computer’s move on the board. That’s not what I want–I like the idea of the Novag, which shows by LEDs which piece to move and where.
Actually, I like a lot of what I see with the DGT board. Apparently it can connect to your computer over bluetooth so that you can run any chess software you like. That sounds awesome. I just don’t see the point of the board for someone like me, because I’d have to keep looking at the computer to see the move.
Is there anything out there that has the build quality of the DGT board with the LEDs of the Novag? Does anyone make custom real wood enclosures for the Novag? Is there an add-on for the DGT board that shows you the computer’s move?
Lots of questions, I know, but thanks for your help.
I don’t think you’re likely to find many options for what you’re describing. In my experience, self-contained chess computers are considered to be toys, so they’re generally not going to have the high build quality you’re after.
DGT makes clocks as well, and I believe that if you pair the DGT XL clock with a DGT board, then the clock will display your computer’s (or internet opponent’s) moves.
I agree with borschevsky. Sadly there doesn’t seem to be enough demand, so the product isn’t on the market.
I hope it’s OK with the Mods if I give the address of my mate’s top-quality chess company (he’s also the chap who runs the London Chess Classic. )
They have a US branch.
I hadn’t heard about the clock; thanks for linking it. It’s not ideal, unfortunately, but the combination DGT board and clock seems like the best alternative so far
I’ve see one of those, and one that had a mechanical armto move the pieces. Unfortunately they’re too slow for blitz chess (I lack the patience for longer games).
In case anyone is interested, I have continued my search and have found some promising prospects.
First, an older computer, which I have found someone willing to sell to me. I think this company is no longer in business but the sets still exist, and it seems almost perfect. It’s the Fidelity Elite Premiere (note that the link is not to the seller, just to a fan page–I don’t want it bought up from under me!)
Second is the Phoenix Revelation, which basically adds LEDs and software to a DGT board. It’s expensive, and not yet in production, but exactly what I was looking for.
Third is a modified Novag Citrine, quality tested and with larger wood pieces. From a UK seller, so it might be expensive for me, but it looks like an upgrade over the standard Novag.
So, there are actually still some options, though it looks as though you’ll have to pay for them.
I’m glad to see that link to the Milton Bradley Phantom, since I’d been thinking for a long time that something like that needed to exist. Next up would be a holographic chess set: I know theoretically how to make one, but I’m not sure how practical it would be.
All I can offer I’m sure you’ve found for yourself, but in case there is other interest:
Here is a youTube video of someone playing against the precursor (so I’m told) of the Phantom. (I wonder if the computer prints out: j’adoube, when it squares the pieces?)
I’ll warn that the vid is ultimately an ad for Museo Esapan(y)ol de Computadoras de Ajedrez, but, as such, it is interesting in and of itself. (The link is to the “translated” version.)
That video reminds me of Oswald the ondageist from one of Pratchett’s books, which is sort of a reverse poltergeist that obsessively tidies up instead of making messes, with the way it keeps on insisting on putting pieces into their proper places.
That’s terrifying. I’d hate to be leaning forward, deep in thought when it decided to move. Reminds me of the joke “my computer beat me at chess, but it couldn’t beat me at kickboxing,” but reversed.
If anyone’s interested, I bought the Fidelity Elite Premier. It’s a beautiful wood computer; the only flaw is that the white squares on the home rows are a little faded under where the pieces sit (probably from sitting in the sun with the pieces in the the starting position)–not bad for a 20 year old piece of equipment.
It plays a fun, fast game of chess, and has a 2 minute setting for when I want to play blitz. It claims to be rated either 2400 or 2265, depending on the setting you choose (you can choose different programs with a switch). That’s probably an exaggeration–I can beat it about 50% of the time in 2 minute games, so it’s probably closer to 2000–but it’s still fun to play.
It’s a pity that I’ll never be able to update the opening book, and I would like a friend setting (where it adjusted its strength to match its opponent), but overall it was worth the money.
)