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Thank you for putting the MCG Pro thru its paces and posting so many games. I'm considering upgrading my MCG to the Pro.
A couple of quick questions about the Pro:
1. Is the LCD screen improved compared to the MCG, or does the backlight just remain on with the Pro?
2. Do you feel that the squares are more responsive?
3. Is the power adapter cord longer?
Just kidding about #3, but I am interested in the LCD and response of the squares...
Greg
Hi Greg,
The backlight stays on when the unit is connected to the mains. However, it can be turned on and off as desired. On batteries I believe it will behave the same way as the previous model but not tried that yet.
The squares are much more responsive, the first model requires quite a hefty push to register the moves. However, compared to my Stardiamond's board which has a very light action, the MCGP could be better. That said, it's fine and a big improvement.
The power cord is short. I purchased a cheap extension lead with two sockets which is great for machine matches. I originally bought a Pifco adaptor for the ChessGenius which works fine and has a longer lead. Also much cheaper! The plug is a little difficult to connect, but it does work.
Thank you for putting the MCG Pro thru its paces and posting so many games. I'm considering upgrading my MCG to the Pro.
A couple of quick questions about the Pro:
1. Is the LCD screen improved compared to the MCG, or does the backlight just remain on with the Pro?
2. Do you feel that the squares are more responsive?
3. Is the power adapter cord longer?
Just kidding about #3, but I am interested in the LCD and response of the squares...
Greg
Hi Greg,
The backlight stays on when the unit is connected to the mains. However, it can be turned on and off as desired. On batteries I believe it will behave the same way as the previous model but not tried that yet.
The squares are much more responsive, the first model requires quite a hefty push to register the moves. However, compared to my Stardiamond's board which has a very light action, the MCGP could be better. That said, it's fine and a big improvement.
The power cord is short. I purchased a cheap extension lead with two sockets which is great for machine matches. I originally bought a Pifco adaptor for the ChessGenius which works fine and has a longer lead. Also much cheaper! The plug is a little difficult to connect, but it does work.
7Chessfan7 wrote:I recently viewed the video clips of the Millennium Chess Genius Pro chess computer on YouTube.com. and was very surprised to see that the MCG Pro lacks LED lights on the chess board. How in the world could Millennium release either the C hess Genius or c hess Genius Pro chess computers onto the chess computer market without LED lights? Most of the fun of playing chess against a dedicated chess computer is not having to constantly look at a digital display screen to see if the chess computer has made a move! What was Millennium thinking when they released either of those two chess computers onto the chess computer market without LED lights?
I understand where you are coming from but would imagine they wanted to keep the price down. Releasing a new dedicated machine in today's market was a bit of a gamble. Maybe if the sales are good enough we might see an improved design.
Here is game 2 of my 10 game match between the MCGP and Magellan with time control of 40m/2h and using MCGP's Human book with the Magellan using its Tournament book.
In this game they followed the Sicilian, Alapin variation. The Magellan was out of book at move 7, the MCGP at move 8:
In these matches I have decided to play until one of the machines announces mate in x moves or until I think enough moves have been played with no progress.
Final position:
[fen]6k1/8/8/8/6P1/p7/4p1K1/6q1 w - - 0 64[/fen]
The MCGP announced mate in 7.
A steady plod of a game with the MCGP out calculating the Magellan in the end game. This brings them level at one game each.
fourthirty wrote:
Thank you for the info! Glad to hear that the board response has been improved. I agree - I feel the board on my SD is amazing.
Greetings Greg:
All of my Novag pressure sensory units (Forte B, Diamond, Star Diamond) had very good sensitivity and were a pleasure to play on. Having first experienced the Fidelity Sensory Chess Challenger and Par Excellence units, I noticed a marked improvement when I acquired my first Novag.
Some of the RS/Saitek/Mephisto made pressure sensory units seemed almost like auto-sensory boards, though one that was a bit difficult to register was the RS 2250XL, as I recall. While not as strong as a Novag Diamond according to my Game 60 testing of several units from the late ‘90s, the larger form factor and LCD screen were nice plusses, though the board would have really benefitted from improved sensitivity.
Cyberchess wrote:Some of the RS/Saitek/Mephisto made pressure sensory units seemed almost like auto-sensory boards, though one that was a bit difficult to register was the RS 2250XL, as I recall. While not as strong as a Novag Diamond according to my Game 60 testing of several units from the late ‘90s, the larger form factor and LCD screen were nice plusses, though the board would have really benefitted from improved sensitivity.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Regards,
John
Thanks John. I don't own a 2250XL, but I've been watching eBay for a good deal on one. Unfortunately, most of the units I've seen are being sold "untested", have missing pieces, or just plain look beat up! All bad and ugly - no good!
There are a lot of "near clones" of the 2250XL, like the GK 2100, the Saitek Centurion, Mephisto Chess Challenger, Saitek Cougar, Mephisto Explorer Pro.
The one thing they are missing is the large display. So if you can do without that, they are not hard to get I guess.
for those interested the Genius Pro attained a wiki rating of 2307 on the Active Wiki List with the London Book. its little brother the earlier MCG got 2218. Its tournament rating is rumored to come in rather higher
lexman wrote:for those interested the Genius Pro attained a wiki rating of 2307 on the Active Wiki List with the London Book. its little brother the earlier MCG got 2218. Its tournament rating is rumored to come in rather higher
From my limited testing with a long time control and others results at fast time controls this figure looks about right. I am currently agreeing with Steve that the longer the time control the lower the ELO achieved. When I finally get around to continuing my tournament with the Magellan at 40moves/2 hours I will have a better idea.