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Tabletop chess computer collections
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tactical_abyss
03-Feb-13, 08:46

Tabletop chess computer collections
Does anyone own or have owned any of the old or new chess computers that are built into a real chessboard?I have a large collection of chess computers made in the 1970's,80's and 90's.
Its interesting to talk about these old units once in a while.I'm still trying to add to my collection.Some are very rare to find and if you find them,they are very expensive sometimes.
My first chess computer came with a small separate chessboard,so it was not built into the computer as later models were.It was called "Boris in a Box".Rated,perhaps around 1400,it wrote messages across the screen,played a decent game.My next was the Mach 3,all plastic with a pressure sensitive board.Was rated at approz 2265,making it,I believe,the first unit to break the 2200 master barrier.I collected alot of units after that including the famous Tasc R-30 and the very famous "Phantom Chesster Eyeball".This unit was capable of moving its own pieces,talking to you and suggesting moves.It even "sensed" your presence as you entered the room with the sensor eyes in the front of the unit,energized itself out of its "sleep mode" and said...."Hey you,yes you!How about a nice game of chess!!!I played the Phantom alot of times.Its like playing an invisible opponent moving the pieces.You can get an idea and even listen to the Phantom and a Tasc by clicking on both links on my profile page.

I still am seeking a Tasc-R40 to complete most of my collection,but that is very,very rare.And if I find it,it will probably cost me $4,000 or more.No matter,I will get one before I die!Some people collect butterflies.I collect chess computers!

Many times,I will suggest playing against these monsters.It should help your game in many ways.Playing on a real chessboard can train the mind better with a game in 3D as opposed to a 2D computer screen all the time.

Does anyone else own any of these computers?
tactical_abyss
08-Feb-13, 22:18

Just a few of my chess computers that I have collected.These are not "my"pictures but represent what I have.Both the Phantom Chesster Eyeball and the Tasc R-30,including the Novag Robot are highly sought after collectors items.I own aprox 50 different chess computers.
My collection will be complete when I find a Tasc R-40 and a Mephisto with the Resurrection module.If anyone reads this and has either the R-40 or Resurrection computer,please contact me.Maybe we can make a deal of some kind?

www.ismenio.com

www.ismenio.com

www.youtube.com

www.boris-is-king.com




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