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Skybird · 05-08-09, 04:21 PM

this is the first commercial chess computer that was ever sold, a Chess Challenger 1, by Fidelity. The number of pieces still in service with collectors, probably is not even half a hundred. Collectors would pay for one of these 1000-2000 Euros, depending on it's condition. It was sold in the US only. Only 1000 have been produced.

The second available chess computer was a follow-up to the CC1, and also was delivered 1977. For some reason I do not know it was not called CC2, but CC3. It was the first computer that was sold on the European market as well, and was only slightly more than a correction of the mistakes of the CC1 (which for example had changed the coordinates of notation). Value amongst collectors today: 500- 1500 euros, depending on condition. Not many I would expect to be functional anymore.

That these computers do not really play chess, and more just move pieces around, should be excused.

Visually, both models where almost impossible to be differentiated.

The next models in the series were three versions of the chess challenger 10, the Chess Challenger 7, and the CC Voice, which was the slightly stronger machine, if I remember correctly (I have one in my collection). These I used to play against as a kid, standing in the stores at the tables where they had been lined up, together with the CC Voice, Sensory 8, Chess Champion super System III and the Mark I, Mark II, and Mephisto I. Later also came Novag's machines, and the famous Sargon ARB 2.5 (I also own one of these, but not functional anymore

)

Blacklight, if you really have a functional piece of one of these two first Challengers, treat it nicely. And if you ever think about making money of it, seek a true collector. The prices I mentioned, are real. I know for sure of two opportunities when a CC3 changed owner for prices between 600 and 800 Euros. For fully functional models that are in visually in exceptionel good shape, you can double that price, and if you talk about a real fucntional, well conserved CC1, then we talk about a small fortune. It's just that many people do not know that , and do not know what they have there when finding one of these in the cellar. It's just an old "toy". Wrong - it's a witness of computer history.

Computer chess is a hobby of mine, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Maybe I know the answer.

05-08-09, 04:21 PM	#7
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,709 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	this is the first commercial chess computer that was ever sold, a Chess Challenger 1, by Fidelity. The number of pieces still in service with collectors, probably is not even half a hundred. Collectors would pay for one of these 1000-2000 Euros, depending on it's condition. It was sold in the US only. Only 1000 have been produced. The second available chess computer was a follow-up to the CC1, and also was delivered 1977. For some reason I do not know it was not called CC2, but CC3. It was the first computer that was sold on the European market as well, and was only slightly more than a correction of the mistakes of the CC1 (which for example had changed the coordinates of notation). Value amongst collectors today: 500- 1500 euros, depending on condition. Not many I would expect to be functional anymore. That these computers do not really play chess, and more just move pieces around, should be excused. Visually, both models where almost impossible to be differentiated. The next models in the series were three versions of the chess challenger 10, the Chess Challenger 7, and the CC Voice, which was the slightly stronger machine, if I remember correctly (I have one in my collection). These I used to play against as a kid, standing in the stores at the tables where they had been lined up, together with the CC Voice, Sensory 8, Chess Champion super System III and the Mark I, Mark II, and Mephisto I. Later also came Novag's machines, and the famous Sargon ARB 2.5 (I also own one of these, but not functional anymore ) Blacklight, if you really have a functional piece of one of these two first Challengers, treat it nicely. And if you ever think about making money of it, seek a true collector. The prices I mentioned, are real. I know for sure of two opportunities when a CC3 changed owner for prices between 600 and 800 Euros. For fully functional models that are in visually in exceptionel good shape, you can double that price, and if you talk about a real fucntional, well conserved CC1, then we talk about a small fortune. It's just that many people do not know that , and do not know what they have there when finding one of these in the cellar. It's just an old "toy". Wrong - it's a witness of computer history. Computer chess is a hobby of mine, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. Maybe I know the answer. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert. Last edited by Skybird; 05-08-09 at 06:48 PM.