From: mem@world.std.com (Jeff Lesser)
Subject: Re: Mchess Pro
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Tue, 22 Dec 1992 22:50:41 GMT

stein@tellabs.com (stein) writes:


>In Article 11205 of rec.games.chess (Howard Wachtel):
>>In article <1grateINN9dq@pith.uoregon.edu>, kgowen@cie.uoregon.edu (Kevin Gowen)
>>says:
>>>
>>>In article <1992Dec17.212902.22413@osf.org> cliu@osf.org (Chauncy Liu) writes:
>>>>I have 286 with 1M RAM (30M hard disc) 12MHz,
>>>
>>>My condolences.
>>
>>   You can send me your condolences too, since I have the same hardware
>>as the above (but a larger hard drive).
>>
>>>
>>>Seriously, don't even *think* about running M-Chess Pro on this primitive
>>>system.  It wants 12 Meg to run its hash tables, will take 4Meg if that's
>>>all that's available, and God only knows what it'll do with only 1Meg.
>>>Will it even run?  Please consider upgrading, if you can afford it.  You'll
>>>get a lot more "oomph" out of MChess if you do.
>>
>>   I don't have any version of MChess yet.  Would it be better from a
>>chess standpoint to upgrade to a 486/33 with 12 MB RAM and also buy
>>MChess Pro rather than simply buying the ChessMachine, whose strength
>>is claimed to be the best available for the PC and independent of
>>machine speed?  I would have guessed that the latter is more cost-effective
>>unless one needs a faster machine for other purposes.
>>________________________________________________________________
>>Howard K. Wachtel              University of Illinois at Chicago
>>U13054@UICVM.CC.UIC.EDU        Phone (312) 975-7970

>Excellent point. BTW, I have played the prior version of Mchess and wasn't 
>particularly impressed, but I still would have anted up if it wasn't for
>the juvenile copy protection scheme (you can't make backups). That thread
>has surfaced a number of occassions, you're basically SOL if your master copy
>is damaged or lost. I'm glad I spent the $150 on the ChessMachine instead. 
>It's a monster! It warms the cochles of my heart to see that the ChessMachine
>won the recent computer event and Mchess finished back in the pack!

>Besides being super strong the ChessMachine has the best interface I've seen
>in a chess application. As someone who is quite happy to operate from the
>command line I never thought I'd be praising an "interface". But the prior
>Mchess and the ChessMachine represent extremes in user interfaces. An
>interface doesn't need a lot of bells and whistles, but at a minimum it should
>not make the application difficult to use or be an annoyance. The prior Mchess
>was the ultimate in interface schlock, even Sargon blew it away. Changing
>options and even moving pieces was an extraordinary nuisance! While I don't
>know about the Pro version I'd bet the interface hasn't gotten a lot better.
>The ChessMachine has a smooth intuitively organized pop-up menu scheme. Since
>receiving it I've only had to resort to the manual once (and that was due to a
>misinterpretation on my part).

>Since the processor wars are escalating with the advent of the P5 (can't remember
>the goofy name they gave that thing) and Motorola's 68060, you may wish to take
>into account the rapid depreciation of the 486 family. While the ChessMachine
>represents a larger ($600) up front investment consider the cost of 486 systems
>a year from now. It largely depends on what you plan to use it for. If primarily
>chess I would recommend getting the ChessMachine and waiting for 486 prices to drop
>further. If chess is just part of the spectrum and you need a more powerful system
>anyway you might give Mchess a whirl (providing the above issues have been addressed).
>Thats my 2 cents worth.


I have used the old MChess, the new "Pro" version, and the Chess Machine. 
You will be surprised to learn that M-Pro has a vastly improved interface,
with true mouse support, menus (sort of), and the like.  It's still
somewhat behind the Chess Machine (which I agree is the best).  And yes, I
have complained bitterly about the copy protection.  However, let's be fair:
 
If your hard disk crashes or you otherwise lose your copy of MChess (or
MChess Pro), the author WILL stand behind you.  I know this firsthand. 
Also, they have a hotline number to help with this and other kinds of
problems.  Both the author and his assistant are reasonable, friendly
people who are not out to screw their customers.
 
Another point to make:  if you buy a fast PC (e.g., 486-50DX or
486-66DX2), you gain the benefits of:
 * Making MChess Pro stronger
 * Making all your non-chess programs run faster
 * Higher resale value
 * Making any and all other chess programs you buy (or download, etc.)
   stronger.  This includes decent programs like Chessmaster 3000 -- the
   Windows version is quite nice -- and Fritz II and Zarkov.  I for one
   like the idea of having multiple, very strong programs.  They have
   very different styles and very, very different strengths and
   weaknesses.  You'd be amazed at how much faster program 'a' is than
   program 'b' on solving one position, whereas the opposite is true for
   another position.
 
Although I think the Chess Machine is a fabulous product, I would advise
most people to get the fastest PC possible and get one or more of the top
programs instead.

...Roy Eassa