https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-bIqEsRATQ
I haven't fired it up yet. Have to wait for off hours to do it. This machine reflects a grudging trade I made with myself a few months back. I had a Berlin Pro, which I sought for years. Circumstances forced me to sell it. That was painful, but I knew a few things when I struck the bargain with myself:
1. The MCGP approximates (though it does not duplicate) the Berlin Pro.
2. I knew I could upgrade the BP to the London version with the ROM chip from Richard Lang, but I don't like to mess around with the guts of my chess computers. MCGP incorporates the London book, so it seems like a fair trade.
3. BP only runs with an adapter. I hate adapters, and I avoid them if possible. I have a cat that enjoys cords and chess pieces. MCGP runs with batteries. I like batteries. I can pick up the unit and slide it into a bookshelf. Simple.
4. MCGP is affordable. The trade worked for me in that sense.
5. I am not a wood addict. I lack the means (and the storage capacity) to play in that realm. When I retire, maybe I'll buy myself a lovely Revelation machine, but until then, I'm all about plastic and portability. I know all the collectors are fiddling around and fussing over their MCGEs at the moment. I know eventually they'll incorporate a de Koning engine (great). I know that represents greater versatility and pleasure, but I'm not able to swim in that water, as I said. I have my RISC 2500 (2 mb), and that's enough for the moment.
6. I'm surprised by the size of this thing. So much power in such a small package. I tend to favor bigger boards, but I do like the pugnacious feel of the knights.
7. Footnote: why on earth is de Koning so reluctant to let his engines have wider distribution? I don't get it. I love his programs.
8. I just read this entire thread, and I love Steve's games at odds. What a great testing method:
http://hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic.php? ... um&start=0
I also note Lexman's great suggestion in page 18 of the thread:
I've wondered the same thing in the past - for all the dedicated comps, not just this one. Such a testing suite would differ from the old BT tests in certain respects. It might involve a set of positions from open and closed games where the various manuals and databases end with an assessment of equal chances for White and Black. The suite would have to include open, semi-open and closed positions. Not too hard to devise.It could be interesting perhaps to pick 5 opening positions that are equal but are in neither computers books and get them to play both the black and white sides of the same position. If chosen well that would give a real insight into the programs themselves.
9. Since I haven't played this thing yet, and I'm savoring the options, what would you all suggest for things to do?
Some say that we are players, some say that we are pawns regards,
- R.