Author: Keith Boone
Date: 09:48:48 12/28/04
Just got the Mephisto "master" table top computer for Christmas, and while it plays very well in it's regular levels, the "fun" modes don't seem to work at all. From the manual, referring to "Fun 1", which should be the absolute lowest level of play: "...the computer will not only "hang" pieces (leave pieces unguarded), but will also actually try to lose material. Even watching the computer throw away it's Queen would not be uncommon on this level!" I have played several games against this machine at the fun levels, and find it very difficult to beat. (I'm about a 1700 CFC player on my best day - on my worst day, I might dip into the negative numbers!) Thinking I was having a bad day, I tried playing Chess Tiger 15.1 on my Palm Zire 71 against this lowest fun level on the Mephisto. I'm running Chess Tiger at "Trainer level 8" which is estimated at 2050 USCF or 1840 FIDE (See: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/ct_chess/faq.html#trainerelo) The Mephisto, playing very quickly, is holding it's own in game after game against the Palm, while set at Fun level 1. I haven't kept accurate score, but there is certainly no evidence of the Mephisto dumbing itself down, and hanging pieces or playing weakly. OK, so why should I care? Just one concern really - if the Mephisto is failing to drop back into it's fun levels, does this mean it is broken? I have double checked the method for switching levels, and I'm sure I have done it correctly. I tried clearing all settings using the ACL button and started up again, but with the same result. Any ideas about this? For reference, here is the Mephisto model I'm talking about: http://www.chesshouse.com/chess/B10.htm
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