Author: Peter Berger
Date: 16:04:21 11/20/03
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On November 20, 2003 at 18:41:44, J. C. Boco wrote: >Even though I have ChessTiger running on a Palm, I decided to purchase the Star >Diamond. Now I'm once again wondering how strong this dedicated computer is. > >The previous computer, the SapphireII/DiamondII, may have held a master ranking, >and it may not have. :-) > >I searched the archives on this forum and found some people who think the >SapphireII plays low-master strength, and others who think only expert. One >person even went as low as 1900. I know it's (sapphire/diamond I and >II)SSDF-rating, but I'm interested in estimated human USCF ratings. > >Well, this (Star Diamond) is the third incarnation of this series, and was >hopeing that someone else who has the computer could post a >rating-guesstimate-update. > >The Star Diamond has it's own rating feature (but I think the Sapphire I and II >also had this). How accurate is this? I'm guessing not very, but I'm in the >mood to read your opinions because ***I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL MONDAY TO RECEIVE >IT***. The Star Diamond is pretty cool when it is about strength. There is some bug with the opening library that will let it occasionally choose some miserable line, but other than that, it is a very decent chessplayer and a fun one. I'd estimate the Star Diamond slightly above 2200 USCF. Chess Tiger, as fine as it is, has no chance against it at all , at least on an overclocked Palm Vx. I think this will only change with a native ARM version of the Tiger. The Star Diamond had some bad press at CCC, for completely unknown reasons IMHO. Someone mentioned that the board is not so well manufactured - this is true. But then you get a cool case for it ( like a notebook one) - and as you get the usual Novag pieceset that I happen to like, it makes up for it. For me the Star Diamond was a very good buy, while say the Mephisto Atlanta was a waste of precious money IMHO. In case you do a search on Author: Peter Berger and Subject: Diamond you'll find four earlier posts by me. I think you will have a nice Monday :). Peter
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