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Down the memory lane with my pocket chessboard (piefed.social)
submitted 5 months ago by to c/woodpushers
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k6Qqa6BEHRNkmDW.jpg

It’s a 1988 or so ‘Saitek Kasparov Cavalier Chess Computer and Coach’.

Sure, it’s old but it is still more than adequate to play with random people, when there is no better chessboard available. And despite its engine being laughably weak compared to the modern days chess engines, it’s still more than capable to beat my weak ass the few times I play against it ;)

Why not play on my phone?

  • Unlike all our smart devices, this device doesn't spy on me. As a matter of fact, there is no Internet subscription required, it doesn't even need to access the Internet.
  • It uses 3 standard AA batteries (2 years memory/more than a week or two of playing time).
  • There is no ads, no Notifications, no bugs, no crash, no updates, no upgrades.
  • There is no screen to look at: it's as easy to read under direct sunlight than at night in a room.
  • Plus, it looks cool (on more than a few occasions, it was an excellent conversation starter).

Downside: it can't play on lichess.org (or on chess.com) but I'm fine with that.

With some patience, one can still find it or one of its many siblings for cheap in thrift stores/flea markets/yard sales.

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[–] 1 point 5 months ago (1 child)

Very cool. I've heard of them, but never knew anyone that owned one directly. Could you briefly explain how the 'coach' functionality works? I'm also puzzled at how the computer indicates it's move. Does it just highlight the piece row/column and it's destination square like old chess notation? It appears to almost fold up but that may just be the cover.

I find the red an interesting choice of non-white, but it stands out pleasantly on the clean black squares too.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 5 months ago* (last edited 5 months ago)

    Could you briefly explain how the ‘coach’ functionality works?

    It has three modes (using a combination of beeps and leds flashing): warn the player against blunder, warn it against blunders and any attacked piece, and turned off (no help at all). The INFO button can also give you some feedback on your overall situation (who is winning the game) or can be used to get a move suggestion (using row/column LEDs).

    I’m also puzzled at how the computer indicates it’s move.

    it highlights the piece it wants to move, you press it and it highlights its destination case, like this: in the previous picture it highlighted the Knight on B8, I pressed it and then it highlighted the coordinates where it wanted me to put it:

    MvCXha61eObvRiK.jpg

    One just need to press it at its destination to validate the move. Done. It works great and doesn't consume much energy, which helps a lot with batteries.

    It appears to almost fold up but that may just be the cover.

    Yep, it's the cover and it folds up making it a neatly closed hardcase for easily carrying everything around. Beware there is no latch and it's plastic, so don't drop it as even if it doesn't break it will open and let all the tiny pieces fly around.

    QG71n1Yb1SaiCb9.jpg

    I always wondered why no company ever reinvented such a pocketable device using modern days chess engines and tech instead of trying to make fancier models like the ones they're now selling... cumbersome chessboards that one is also required to carry an extra pouch to store the pieces, and can't even carry around as safely. It's odd, but maybe it's just me being old? That being said, I would buy one such device the second it was made available, provided it doesn't force me to create an online user account.

    Not all of us are a Magnus Carlsen (or a Gary Kasparov, for that matter) and we don't need that much of a beast to enjoy playing chess ;)

    edit: clarifications.

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