Author: Joseph Merolle
Date: 07:06:34 01/23/05
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On January 23, 2005 at 08:00:29, Steve B wrote: >The Fidelity Chess Challenger needs no introduction >Released in 1977, it was the very first dedicated chess computer available to >the buying public >Invented and Programmed by Ron Nelson, it ran on a 8080 AF processor running at >2Mhz with 2k of ROM >it had one level of play >A total of 1000 were made and it sold for about $350-$400 > >since neither Nelson or Samole(President of Fidelity) were serious chess >players they made the now infamous mistake of reversing the ranks and >files,causing the move input system to be totally reversed > >to play the normal D2-D4 the owner had to key in..4B to 4D > > > >Fidelity quickly corrected the gaff with the Chess Challenger 3 >owners of the CC1 could send in their computers to the Fidelity Factory for an >upgrade to the CC3 >in addition to correcting the notation they increased the number of levels to >three > >in this photo the reversal of rank and file can be seen as well as the reversed >notation in the display screen: > >http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cpaa2@sbcglobal.net/detail?.dir=3353&.dnm=c1fa.jpg&.src=ph > >below are two very historical photos > >this is the prototype of the Chess Challenger Motherboard > >the first commercial chess computer motherboard ,if not for which, we would all >not be here today in this sacred forum of computer chess: > >http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cpaa2@sbcglobal.net/detail?.dir=3353&.dnm=85ea.jpg&.src=ph > >and the first keyboard interface to input the moves to the motherboard: > >http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cpaa2@sbcglobal.net/detail?.dir=3353&.dnm=149c.jpg&.src=ph > >i bought the Chess Challenger during Xmas 1977,my very first chess computer.. >still have that baby.. and it still works..just fine > >Historical Regards >Steve Nice post steve , I still remember the feeling I got when my first computer program moved for the first time, Cnristmas of 91 the chess master 3000. Any way steve what would you say Fidelity Chess Challenger rating is? Regard Jospeh
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