The Chess Computer Review

Well… once you get used to the graphics - it’s a great electronic chess machine. Oh, and the colour - you have to get used to playing something purple. Like the Maestro it has one single downside - poor graphics, but that downside is enough to make you want to buy…. want to buy…. the competing Excalibur Talking Touch chess computer - if you have good eyesight (which doesn’t have a backlight or contrast settings) - the only handheld that has overcome the poor graphics problem. But really, if you get used to the graphical representations of each piece, it’s a great machine. And when we say machine - we mean it, surely it has a V6 internal combustion engine - it’s built like a tank. The anodised metal case feels secure and robust, although we advise that you don’t test it by dropping it from a tall building. Even so - it might survive. Obviously compared to Saitek’s Maestro, it excels in the software strength (almost 2000 elo!), but detracts in the abscence of a backlight. One other important factor - the battery life is better than most hand helds.

Here’s a full spec list: