Saitek Kasparov Alchemist Plus Electronic Chess

by Kasparov

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 9.7 pounds
• ASIN: B000033K1E
• Item model number: K01
• Manufacturer recommended age: 12 years and up
• Batteries: 3 AA batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #381,045 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)

Product Description

Editorial Review

Beginning chess players and intermediates wanting to brush up on their game will find myriad challenging matches programmed into the Kasparov Alchemist Chess Computer. Designed to rest securely on a table or desktop, this unit--complete with regular-size, felt-bottomed plastic pieces--allows budding Grandmasters to rage against the machine at any of 64 skill levels of the game's Level I playing strength. Moves and elapsed time (courtesy of the built-in chess clock) are displayed on the small LCD screen incorporated into the sleek, touch-sensitive board. Other impressive features include a move "take back" button, electronic coaching on 16 chess openings, and teach modes, which enable players to study tactics and piece moves. The Kasparov Alchemist Chess Computer does take a little getting used to--the digital readout of the move coordinates may be a tad confusing, and because the unit doesn't talk, you may think it's communicating in Morse code. Just remember that it beeps after every move and emits two low tones if you make an unwise move. --Tony Mason

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for beginners, June 19, 2001

By 

Arturo Saracho (Auburn Hills, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews

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

This review is from: Saitek Kasparov Alchemist Plus Electronic Chess (Board Game)

This chess computer is good for anyone who is not enough experienced in the chess game and wants to learn more, if you are an experienced player look for a different computer this one will not challenge you. Overall it has good quality and you will have a good time if you like to play chess.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars If I may give a second thought after one month use, July 7, 2003

By 

Thomas D. Christianson (Ashland, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saitek Kasparov Alchemist Plus Electronic Chess (Board Game)

If you read my previous review you know I was overjoyed with
this product. I still stand by the fact that it got my game and
concentration back,and that is a wonderful thing.However,after
I got my game back it took less than one month to conquer this
game on all playable levels,and found myself already in need of
a more powerful chess computer. It does make many mistakes.For
what I needed at the time it was great,but I have to recant my
recomendation that this is the one for beginners and
intermediate players. Check out Mr.Jones' review of this product.
I believe it is probably much more accurate than my earier
review. I bought a new chess computer made by Excalibur,and
it's easier levels are more challenging than this one's more
advanced levels.
Thank you

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good enough for me for now, June 25, 2003

By 

Thomas D. Christianson (Ashland, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Saitek Kasparov Alchemist Plus Electronic Chess (Board Game)

To understand this review I'm going to have to give some back-
round.Please bear with me. At one time I was a fairly good
chess player. Then a few years back I had an unfortunate
medical occurence that severely limited my ability to concentrate
and plan ahead. When I tryed playing my chess computer on even
the easiest levels,my game had slipped so far that I couldn't
even figure out what it was up to. Lose,lose,lose,without
learning a thing. After giving up on the game for a number of

years,I decided to try out this little "toy". I started on the
easier levels,and though I lost at first,I could see what it
was doing and I learned and started to get my game back!!
I am moving up the levels now and improving my game with each
step. But maybe more important than that,my concentration is
improving in most aspects of my daily living. All because of
this little "toy". I'm sure that in time I'll need a more
powerful computer,but for any beginner or intermediate player
this is the one to get. It's better than therapy!
Thanks