Query on available chess computers

[WB6YZZ La Belle]

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I've got SargonII running on a VIC20 and would like to upgrade.

I see Fidelity has a (1900-2000) rated computer on sale for $99.00.
is it any better? Is that rating based on a useless 24hr./move level or
is the rating determined under normal timed conditions?

What about the Mephisto units?

I'm also considering the possibility of building my own. (maybe
around a 68000?)

Any Ideas welcome.

GEORGE

hplabsc!labelle

[Ray Frank]

> I've got SargonII running on a VIC20 and would like to upgrade.
>
> I see Fidelity has a (1900-2000) rated computer on sale for $99.00.
> is it any better? Is that rating based on a useless 24hr./move level or
> is the rating determined under normal timed conditions?
>

I have also read about the new Fidelity unit, I believe it is call the
Fidelity Magnificant or something like that.
The only chess computer reported to have an offical USCF rating is the
Super Constellation. It is somewhere around 2017 and sells for between
300 and 400 dollars. If a computer is to have an offical USCF rating, it
must have played more than 20 rated games at one or more of the
sanctioned time controls, which are from 30 moves/30 minutes
to 40 moves/120 minutes.

The SargonII has an unoffical rating of between 1400 and 1600, which by todays
standards is not too good. And playing on a VIC20 will automatically make it
run 3 or more times slower.

By the way, I understand that the manufacturer of the Super Constellation
had enough confidence in their machine to bring 20 of them to a tournament
and have the necessary 20 games completed in one day.