Excalibur 712 Ivan II The Conqueror

by Excalibur

Product Features

• Ivan ii the conqueror is Excalibur's popular chess-playing barbarian
• The Ivan ii challenges beginners to advanced players with an estimated rating of 2000 USCF with 100 levels of play
• The strongest level can solve mate-in-8 problems
• Comes with magnetic pieces that can be secured in the storage compartment
• Use the LCD to play without pieces or to confirm the position of the pieces on the big board

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.2 x 10 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Shipping: This item can only be shipped to the 48 contiguous states. We regret it cannot be shipped to APO/FPO, Hawaii, Alaska, or Puerto Rico.
• ASIN: B00008DWSL
• Item model number: 712
• Manufacturer recommended age: 7 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #212,630 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Ivan II the Conqueror is Excalibur¿s popular chess-playing barbarian. Ivan can use his 500-word vocabulary to insult and threaten you in deep, commanding tones or to be your powerful and patient mentor. Are you up to the challenge. The Ivan II challenges beginners to advanced players with an estimated rating of 2000 USCF with 100 levels of play. The strongest level can solve mate-in-8 problems. It comes with magnetic pieces that can be secured in the storage compartment.

Product Description

You hear armor clang and horses gallop. Ivan the Conqueror is a brand-new reincarnation of Excalibur's popular chess-playing barbarian. Playing better than ever, Ivan uses his 500-word vocabulary to insult and threaten you in deep, commanding tones. But he can also be a powerful and patient mentor. And now Ivan the Conqueror includes a full-size LCD in addition to his magnetic sensory board. Use the LCD to play without pieces or to confirm the position of the pieces on the big board. Are you up for the challenge'

Features:

• 100 power levels with an 1850 rating
• Combat sound effects
• Play with or without pieces with unique LCD
• 500-word barbarian vocabulary

Requires 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Worthy Chess Partner, November 16, 2007

By 

David Carlin (Philadelphia, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

As soon as I received this, I thought I didn't receive the chess pieces until I opened the storage compartment underneath the unit which I felt was a nice Feature.

Even at it's most basic level, playing is still a challenge. The voice of Ivan is ever present with you and taunts if a big mistake was made as in a premature capture of a Queen. The touch sensitivity of the board is good and it doesn't take more then just a light press to register with the computer.

Movement of the game pieces is easy due to the graphical interface of the board on the supplied LCD. Also the same voice gives both confirmation of origin to destination. On top of this, there is also a coordinate view of each move. Movement of Ivan's pieces are quick and painless. I have played over 20 gaves in the span of two evenings and haven't tired of it. It is definitly a game that will sharpen your playing. The voice of Ivan can be disabled if you prefer, but I actually like it. The battle sound effects work great with the capture of either players pieces. The manual is well written and explains more complex moves such as castling etc.

Now a few very minor negatives:
First, the game's control panel is a bubble type button system and very cheap. I feel that this will wear out over time, but the controls are in a intuitive order.

Second, a supplied AC adapter would have been nice. The unit takes 4 AA batteries. I recommend purchasing the newer type of Rechargable batteries. I am still on my same batteries over 12 hours of play.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excalibur Electronic Chess Computer, July 8, 2008

By 

Joanne L. Kippax - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Excalibur 712 Ivan II The Conqueror (Toy)

My husband always wanted to learn how to play chess and since receiving the Excalibur Electronic Chess Computer, he is learning and loving it! He's on it continuously, determined to learn and it let's him know immediately if he's made a wrong move....he'll be ready for a tournament with his buddies soon. A great way to learn in your own time.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great alternative, February 18, 2008

By 

Susan Mckeon "Susan McKeon" (Houston TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

... to a really expensive set. This was economical and fit the needs of the younger kids. I am still hoping to find replacement pieces though. It could use a little more instuctions as well. Some of the features are more complicated than the guide gives instructions for.