Customer Reviews

Saitek Chess Trainer Maephisto Version

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It's an excelent deal! For this price you get an autosensory chess computer with many levels! The design is very clean and neat. The pieces are light but have a good look.
Alecs computer face adds some fun to the game. No more typing the moves!!!

I bought this game in anticipation of a great product. My last computer chessboard lasted 10 years. This one....about three weeks, or maybe 20 games.

Then the G and H rank squares would no longer operate. I changed batteries and did the ACL reset to no effect. G and H were dead.

This is a loser when it comes to quality, don't buy this garbage.

This would have been just ok for the price, but when it arrived (new in the box) the 'A' rank (row) did not respond to moves.

NOTE: All moves are made by applying pressure to the piece to be moved(a simple tiny pressure switch under the keyboard surface seems to make it happen.) The human must press down on the particular piece to be moved and must press again after placing the piece on a new square.

CONS:

(1) The worst part of this unit is that there is no way to enter a move if the squares do not respond to pressure. Once the pressure switches under the keyboard surface stop working (think normal wear), the unit is toast.

(2) The pieces were small, not weighted, and not magnetic. Don't try to make moves too fast or the pieces will go flying.

(3) This set probably will not hold up for many years unless the player is very gentle.

(4) Poor quality assurance: this unit had an inspection tag on the underside, but they didn't catch that it was defective? "Made in China" according to the sticker.

PRO:

Ok for a beginner, even a young one as long as he/she isn't rough with it or so young that he/she is at risk for choking on the small pieces.

MY EXPERIENCE:
The one shipped to me worked as long as I (or the computer) did not try to make a move beginning or ending on the A rank. I got several moves into a game against the computer before I realized it was defective.

The computer botched the opening on the easiest mode just like a beginner. In my judgment a very young (or very new) player would not be too badly outmatched. Therefore it really might be an appropriate first computer for a short period before one begins serious play - if only it hadn't been defective.

The chess computer arrived defective - squares in columns "d" and "h" would not respond to presses, rendering it unusable. On the plus side, the amazon refund process went smoothly. And I guess there's a life lesson somewhere in disappointing a child who is excited about a gift only to find out it doesn't work. So I suppose that if those are the things you're looking for, then this chess set is for you!

My son loves this game and has learned a lot. Well worth the money.