Excalibur Chess Station

by Excalibur

Product Features

• Select from 73 strength levels.
• Offers hint option for coaching.
• 32 mate-training problems for advanced players.
• Optional teaching mode for beginners.
• Rates your games.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• ASIN: B000066987
• Item model number: 975
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #181,408 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)

Product Description

Excalibur offers the newest breakthrough in computerized chess! You get a full-featured travel unit with an LCD that eliminates the bother of carrying pieces you can misplace. And when you're at home, you can still play ?the old fashioned way.? Just plug the Chess Station into its docking station and use the included magnetic sensory board! Powerful processor plays at a tournament rating of 1750. Includes Excalibur's famous teaching mode that takes an absolute beginner to advanced levels.
Choose from selectable opening lines for play & practice Take back mistakes.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

87 of 91 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great handheld and board, December 5, 2002

By 

Sergius M. Rodriguez (Chicago, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Excalibur Chess Station (Toy)

I am very pleased with my new Chess Station. The handheld unit seems sturdy, though it will probably damage if dropped from waist high onto a hard surface. It fits well in my hands, and the controls are not difficult to work. The screen is easy to see even in a dim room, but is less a strain on the eyes if viewed in brighter conditions.
There is not much weight to the handheld device, so it is easily carried in a coat or shirt pocket. I have not encountered any problems docking it with the board, and am not worried about the use since the connecters are well made.
The board and pieces are small, but they are proportionately sized. Both are well suited to a fun chess match with a partner. There is no problem with the computer registering moves from board to handheld when docked, but I have noticed that the pressure points on the board are not consistent on all 64 squares (some acknowledge slight pressure and some need a heavier press). Though while this is the case, it is nothing more than a minor inconvenience. It certainly won't stop me from buying another one in the future.
Besides playing chess against the computer, there are a number of additional computer modes to explore (checkmate problems, learing opening moves, hints, etc.). They add some variety to an already fun game.
All in all, I am very satisfied with the unit and the price. This handheld chess computer and board is an excellent combination.

62 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Friend, April 7, 2003

By 

Gift Card Recipient "Joe Scarfuto" (Metuchen, New Jersey USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Excalibur Chess Station (Toy)

I recently brought the Chess Station and I really like it. I have played chess on and off, more off for many years. It is hard finding another person to play with, especially in my house. I can pick up the Chess Station any time I want and play a few moves, or a whole game. I can play it with the whole board of just use the hand held game. Heck, sometimes I win and that feels good. I can switch sides, and if I get desperate I can ask for help. The game has a lot of features that I am still learning about, like changing levels, or playing great games, things like that. The game is easy to see, even when I use my cheap reading glasses. If you like the game of chess and do not get to play that much because of time or not having a person to play with, get this game. One of the best things is when you are playing against the computer no one will laugh at you for a dumb move.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great value, July 28, 2004

By 

K. Hamacher (NYC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Excalibur Chess Station (Toy)

I wanted to have something for my daily subway commute (NYC) and was a little worried about the ablility to distinguish the figures. But that turns out to be fine. The docking board works great for games at home, so overall, I find it easy to use, instructive with the mate-in-2 and opening trainer, and overall a good value. My only disappointment is that it does not have a front cover for protection, so if you plan like me to carry it in a bag or briefcase, you have to come up with some idea to protect the buttons from accidential activation. But that aside, I am very satisfied with the value.