Chessmate
The Commodore Chessmate is a chess computer from Commodore International , which came onto the market in June 1978.
The chess computer was based on the single board computer KIM-1 , which was also sold by Commodore. The program " Microchess 1.5 " by Peter R. Jennings was integrated into the ROM of the device as a chess program . A four-digit, 7-segment display was used to display the individual moves on the device. The entry was made via a membrane keyboard .
In addition to a minimal computer system, it contains a chess library with 32 openings for 16 moves each.
The chess computer is operated via a power supply unit and switched on and off via a switch. The move is entered using the buttons Ato Hand 1to 8or Blackand Whitewith the confirmation of ENTERand the move output and time display via 4 LEDs and the lights "Black", "White", "Check" and "CHESSmate loses". There are also the additional buttons New Game(for new game) and Clear(input correction). In addition, the input keys have the additional functions for the game options "Board Verify" (chess computer test), "Chess Clock" (chess clock on), "Display Time" (show chess clock), "Stop Time" (stop chess clock), "Skill Level" (Level of difficulty), "Game Moves" as well as "Black" (black) and "White" (white) occupied.
Technology of the device
- CPU : MOS Technology 6504
- Register : 8 bit
- Clock frequency : 1 MHz
- RAM : 320 bytes
- ROM: 5 KB
- Dimensions (width / depth / height): 16 × 22 × 5 cm
Web links
- German-language information and photos about the Chessmate
- More information at Schach-Computer.info
- Video about the Chessmate
