Well, I bought it! I bought a Radioshack chess computer, because it's enough power for me alone. I figure if I ever beat the highest level, I'll be working towards a 1700 OTB rating. Anyway, I played it on the 20th level today. It has 74 levels. It also gives you a rating. So, I drew the 20th level today. And, now I have a 1050 rating according to Excalibur. I wonder if anyone else has this chess computer. If so, I would like to start a discussion on the machine. I want to see if anyone knows the ratings of each level if possible. That would be cool. Take it easy guys! Enjoy your chess.
Good news! I just saved some my money on my car insurance by switch to Geico. No, just joking. No, the real good news is I figured out how to rate each level on the e-Chess computer from Radioshack. It has a rating function, and depending on which level you beat, it will rate you if you win! Now, I put Jester - the strong Java opponent against the e-machine, because I knew Jester could beat it on that level. Then, I let Jester beat it, with my help in the endgame of course. I, then, used the rating function, and come to find out - after Jester beat it on the 35th level, the rating score was 1350! Now, that is one strong 1350! So, I have realized something. A 1350 human being is not nearly as strong as a 1350 computer, because the computer is playing a 1350 move every time! If you can beat it on the 35th level 5 games out of 10, you're probably a 1350. I am slightly confused though, because my rating on redhotpawn.com is 1371 at present, and that 35th level on e-chess (although I have not played it yet) looks very intimidating. I would have to play it like a real USCF tournament event. Usually, I think an hour in those instances throughout the whole game, examining ever possibility, being extremely careful, not taking risks and groundless attacks if possible. So, the levels can be rated by the computer itself. That's pretty cool. Oh, and no, my e-chess is a different model from you guys. It's silver, with blue and black buttons. I like the little thing. I mean, let's face it! I just bought a 1700 rated opponent for two 10 bills. Not bad!
I think its a good chess computer, except for the fact that even on high levels, it sacrifices pieces too much. For example, I had a knight on c3. The computer came with its queen and captured the piece, then I easily captured the queen with a pawn.
But I have to admit, it was a good chess computer for only $20.
Well, it's official! I beat the 23rd level on e-chess, and Excalibur rates me at 1300 for beating the 23rd level. I should have written the game down for you guys! 🙁 It was a beautiful game! I surprised myself! I was playing White and the thing had two queens. I was sacking pieces everywhere and forced Black into a KING HUNT! It was so delicious! I wish I had of written it down! 🙁((( I crushed that 1300 strength level! HAHA!!! I beat it in less than 30 moves. Does that mean I'm stronger than a 1300 strength? It's ironic my redhotpawn.com rating is 1371 and Radioshack's e-chess level 23 (1300 rated) I destroyed!
Yeah! Well, tsanta, there are a few different models, and your model may not be the same as mine. My e-chess is silver with four blue directional buttons in the middle, four big black padded buttons on each side, and four tiny black buttons near the bottom. Those tiny buttons near the bottom (on mine anyway) have a button called MOVE (Options)! You can force my chess computer to move by pressing that button. But, I don't suggest it if you have that button, too. The strength for that particular level won't be the same. Computers have to think longer and longer for greater strength promise - that is unless you have a Pentium 4 and Fritz ripping out moves. Programs like that move faster, because they have more processing power. This little handheld we have is only a $20 chess/checker brain. So, go figure. You get what you pay for. But, heck, aren't we having just as much fun as if we bought a handheld Fritz? Anyway, this little $20 chess computer can beat 95% of all chess players. Isn't that all we need? YES! It is for most of us. 🙂 I'm so happy! hehe
Well, guys, it's official! I've destroyed the Excalibur e-chess 1700 rated chess computer. This is how you destroy a silicon opponent at 1700! Enjoy!:
[Event "B Adams VS Excalibur Chess Computer"]
[Site "Barber's Point - Hawaii"]
[Date "2005.10.24"]
[Round "N/A"]
[White "Bucky Adams (unrated)"]
[Black "Excalibur e-Chess Computer (1700)"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Opening "The Stonewall Attack"]
note: Computer was set to level 72! 73 doesn't count because it's an
analysis level and can think forever until you press MOVE.
1) d4! d5
2) f4 Nf6
3) Nf3 Nc6
4) e3 e6
5) Bd3 Bb4+
6) c3 Bd6
7) Nbd2 Ng4
8) Qe2 Bd7
9) O-O Nf6
10) h3 O-O
11) Rf2!! g6
12) g4 a5
13) Ne5 Re8
14) h4 a4
15) a3 b6
16) g5 Nh5
17) Rg2 Nxe5
18) dxe5 Bc5
19) Kh1 b5
20) Nf3 c6
21) Nh2 Rf8
22) Ng4 Qb8
23) Nf6+! Nxf6
24) gxf6! Re8
25) h5 Qb6
26) Bd2 Bf8
27) Rag1 Reb8
28) hxg6 fxg6
29) Rxg6+! hxg6
30) Bxg6! Bxa3
31) Qh5! Bxb2?
32) Qh7+! Kf8
33) Qf7# White wins!