Asri-unix.136 net.chess utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!menlo70!sri-unix!mclure Wed Nov 25 14:37:10 1981 computer chess news group This is a new mailing list, and I believe it is the first electronic mailing list for people interested in chess and computer chess. This includes both programs run on mainframes and on micros. There was a remarkable response to my first inquiry about whether there would be any interest. One of my particular interests is playing strength, both of the mainframe programs and the micro programs, particularly the latter. I recently purchased the Fidelity Elite, a limited edition (500 units made), containing the Spracklen program which won the World Micro championship in September, running on a 4 mhz 6502. I'm in the process of trying to figure out its playing strength by having it play all my rated friends at tournament time controls and it appears that it is really quite strong, approximately 1900-1950, easily 100-150 points above the next best micro. Evan Katz, computer chess wizard for various magazines, told me that he has played it several games (he's rated 1850), and has a hell of a time trying to beat the thing. It's strange that Fidelity hasn't gotten a rating for it yet. I wonder why. I am unrated, mainly due to the hassle of entering tournaments, the odd hours a hacker leads, and so forth. I suppose I'm probably about 1800, although I have no difficulty beating programs since I know their weaknesses rather well and exploit them. More info on playing style later. ----------------------------------------------------------------- gopher://quux.org/ conversion by John Goerzen of http://communication.ucsd.edu/A-News/ This Usenet Oldnews Archive article may be copied and distributed freely, provided: 1. There is no money collected for the text(s) of the articles. 2. The following notice remains appended to each copy: The Usenet Oldnews Archive: Compilation Copyright (C) 1981, 1996 Bruce Jones, Henry Spencer, David Wiseman.