Author: Don Dailey
Date: 07:22:33 10/01/98
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On October 01, 1998 at 03:01:37, John Coffey wrote: >On September 30, 1998 at 23:50:05, odell hall wrote: > >>I have a modest question, Does anyone know if genius 5 running on a 486 100mhz >>computer would defeat in a ten game match any dedicated chess computer? I am >>extremely curious > >Since you ask if "any" dedicated chess computers would lose then the answer >would be "yes." > >Recent experience has shown that Chess Master 4000 is quite strong (at least >master) running on a 486 66mhz and even a 33mhz machine. I suspect that a >100mhz machine running a strong program would beat almost every dedicated chess >computer, although the top models using Risc chips might win. (Recently I saw >a model for a few hundred dollars claiming to be in the 2400 to 2500 range.) > >I used to have a Fidelity Designer 2265 chess computer (which was a pretty weak >master at best.) As good as it was, it wasn't even close to the strength of >Chess Master 4000 running on a 486 66mhz. A friend of mine played them against >each other about 3 years ago, and he described the event as "no contest." >Unfortunately I don't have the games. Presumably Chess Master 4000 won >every game. I was a bit surprised by the result as I expected the dedicated >unit to do better than that. > >Computers are so common now, that even out-dated bargain basement computers make >good chess opponents. I have to wonder why anybody would buy a >dedicated chess computer (save for portability.) > >John Coffey There is a lot to be said for dedicated chess computers. I would much rather have a quality dedicated unit (with a wooden board and piece recognition) if it had the same strength as the top programs than I would the equivalent software. But the problem is that people upgrade their computers often and a dedicated unit will quickly become obsolete in playing strength. Another problem of dedicated units is that they tend to be awkward in the display of information and in this area PC software is far ahead. With bigger and better displays they would be awsome toys for us to play with! Add a keyboard and mouse ... woops we now have a pc! - Don
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