Excalibur Electronics 747K Grand Master - Black

by Excalibur

Product Features

• Grand Master/Black
• Captures the essence of top level chess competition
• Durable vinyl surface with precision magnetic sensors accurately tracks every move
• Tournament chess pieces are official size and weight so they will not tip over during a game
• 2 large LCD displays with dual chess clocks/ 100 levels of play, plus 5 teaching modes, 32 book opening trainers, and 32 great games

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 20 x 20 x 1.1 inches ; 8.7 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 8.7 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B00000K2TH
• Item model number: 747K
• Manufacturer recommended age: 7 years and up
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #180,540 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Editorial Review

Endorsed by the U.S. Chess Federation and designed and developed with the cooperation of world chess champion Anatoly Karpov, this tournament-size chess game will provide a suitable challenge for players of varying skill and experience levels. Featuring large, weighted playing pieces and an attractive vinyl playing surface, this electronic chess game has a built-in auto sensory move entry system that is linked to a powerful chess computer. For head-to-head action in two-player mode, there are two large LCD windows with a countdown timer and dual chess clocks. The game's "equalizer" mode offers analysis and hints so that beginners can compete on an equal level with more advanced players. In single-player mode, there are 100 different levels of play, including 5 teaching levels. Thirty-two of Anatoly Karpov's greatest games, as well as 32 of the most popular chess openings, are stored in the computer's memory. Unfinished games can also be stored in the computer's memory for future use. The chess computer operates on four AA batteries or with a six-volt A/C adapter (not included). Official U.S. Chess Federation rulebook included. --Chris Burns

Product Description

To give players the feeling of true tournament play, Excalibur has used a tournament sized vinyl surface with weighted tournament pieces. The unique auto-sensory feature allows you to gently raise a pieced from one square and place it on the next, and the game will automatically sense your movement. Plus, there are two LCD displays, one on each side of the board, with individual controls so one or two people can play! Enjoy a great challenging game against a friend even when your levels are different. The Grandmaster acts as an equalizer by giving either player hints and the option to receive a threat warning when a piece is under attack. In advanced 2-player mode, it also acts as an advisor by keeping score and recommending moves. What a great way to improve your game. Features built-in dual chess clocks, large chess pieces with 3-1/2-inch king, 32-ply take-back, super strong 2200 rating, one or two player mode with scoring hints and analysis, 100 levels of play, five teach modes and 32 "Greatest Games." Requires 4 "AA" alkaline batteries (not included).

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

148 of 151 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars auto-sensory board is great, but some details aren't so good, October 31, 1999

By A Customer

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

This review is from: Excalibur Electronics 747K Grand Master - Black (Toy)

This game is great compared to other electronic chess games. The simple fact that you don't have to enter your moves on some sort of keypad makes play much more fluid, and the magnetic sensors under the board work rather well. Also, the range of difficulty levels, training levels and other options should be enough for anybody.

My three complaints are:

1. how come there is no AC adapter included? that's not very smart.

2. inserting or replacing batteries is much more complicated than it should be

3. the plastic finish of the board and pieces looks rather cheap. it's a shame the manufacturer didn't try to make a really good looking product.

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor product, November 19, 2006

By 

Ernest Gundel (Chelsea, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

First I'll list the few things I like about this product:

I like that it's a tournament sized board with a feel that will be familiar to chess tournament players. I like that it is auto-sensory (senses the movement of pieces without pressing down on a square). I like that one of the playing levels tries to match the human players play rate (if a human plays quickly at first, then slows down in mid-game, the computer will do the same).

Everything else is negative. The quality of workmanship is quite poor. The vinyl play surface is merely glued on, and starts to peel quickly. The computer plays a weaker game of chess than the comparably priced units from Saitek and Novag, and lacks several features that are common in high end chess machines. And the method of communication with the player (LCD notation only) makes rapid chess very difficult.

The approx $200 price tag seems attractive compared to the other available auto-sensory boards (novag citrine at $350, Saitek Exclusive at over $500), but those machines are much nicer and stronger (though all play pitifully compared to modern PCs).

60 of 67 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not So GRAND(master), December 28, 2001

By 

Jacob Jackson (Seattle) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Excalibur Electronics 747K Grand Master - Black (Toy)

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This ... chess computer ... looks and feels like an actual tournament set. However, this Grandmaster ISN'T ALL THAT GRAND.

FIRST, the computer sometimes doesn't recognize checkmates between humans and lists them only as "check".

SECOND, the computer ALWAYS shows your human opponent which one of his pieces you are threatening by flashing the word "threat" for 8 seconds on his small LCD screen.

THIRD, you can't play against the computer without it telling you which one of your pieces IT is threatening.

FOURTH, there are no LED lights (those little red lights) to show you where the computer wants you to move its piece. You have to read your LCD, find the "from" square on the board, then the "to" square, then move the piece.

LAST, although the GM is recommended for all players, it is too difficult for beginners, even on the easiest level.

Even though a tournament-like chess computer may sound great, you're better off saving your money for a chess computer that REALLY IS GRAND.

Thank you for reading my review.

Jake

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