The New Chess Computer Book

The New Chess Computer Book is a revised edition of The Chess Computer Book that contains more than 50 percent new material about chess-playing microcomputers. Since the first edition of the book was written there have been large numbers of machines launched, some of which the author has been able to test over a long period. Inevitably there are new chess-playing, microcomputers machines, and updated modules for older ones, coming out all the time, with launch dates for machines in different countries often being different, due to commercial considerations. However, an attempt has been made to discuss in detail every top-of-the-range machine available on the British market.
The book begins with a brief survey of the origins of chess computing and the development of chess-playing machines. This is followed by separate chapters on topics such as the types of machines that play chess; modular chess computers; computer hardware and software; and developments in chess microcomputers in the latter half of 1984.

Contenu

A Note on Chess Notation
1 2001 and all that
The Computer is Born and Learns to Play Chess
2 Hullo, Mr. Chips
The Micro Arrives and Chess Computers go on Sale
3 Make Mine Modular
Computer Chess Becomes Big Money as Several Companies in Competition Bring about a Rapid Improvement in the Product with Sensory Boards and Upgradeable 'Modules'
4 On the Origin of Species and their Differentiation
Description and Assessment of Most of the Popular Models
5 The State of the Art
A Series of Tournaments between the Stronger Machines to Discover Which are Best. Developments on the Horizon
6 But can They Beat People?
How the Chess Computers Fare in Competition against Human Club and Social Players
7 It Crawled out of the Video Screen
Chess Programs for the Popular Home Computers
8 Chess Computers are Almost Human
What Goes on Inside Them. Elementary Programming
9 Is That 'Book'?
How Computers Play Openings. How They Can Help You Improve Your Openings
10 Why Did it Make That Silly Move?
Computer Limitations in the Endgame and How You Can Still Get Good Endgame Practice with a Computer
11 'It's You against the Computer'
The Programs' Greatest Strength - The Middle Game. Testing Yourself against the Computer in a Variety of Middle Game Situations and Learn How Play against a Computer Will Develop Your Full Chess Potential
12 'Are You Another Computer?'
How a Computer Can Help You with Postal Chess and Adjournment Analysis
13 'Mighty Micros March Ever Onward'
The Latest Developments
Further Reading
Index of Computers