Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer from Mephisto

by Saitek

Product Features

• Dimensions: 8in L x 7W x 2 3/4inÂ� D
• 100 Playing Levels: 60 Fun and 40 Competition
• Coach Mode and Setup Option for extra strategic control
• 64 Study Positions
• 200-move take back and replay

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 6.1 x 2.2 inches ; 1.3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B00030N9DC
• Item model number: saichessmaestro
• Manufacturer recommended age: 15 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,124 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)

Product Description

This portable chess computer offers 100 levels of challenge for the intermediate player.

• Back-lit blue touch screen is easy to view
• Make moves with the touch of a stylus
• 100 playing levels to choose from
• 60 "fun" and 40 "competition" levels
• Hints, Tips, and Coach Mode
• 3,650 stored opening moves show how the experts play
• Take Back and Replay over 200 moves
• Set Up option for trying new positions and moves
• Unfinished games held in memory
• Compact and portable
• Integrated stylus
• Travel case
• Built-in chess clock

Slip this sleek, stylish game in your pocket and you're ready to play chess anytime, anywhere. As your game improves, so does the challenge!

Safety warning: This product contains small parts that may present a choking hazard for young children.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps Next Generation Will Be Better, January 23, 2007

By 

David M. Dickerson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer from Mephisto (Toy)

The Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer is an excellent idea in concept, but I have had enough problems with it that I regret my purchase, especially at the cost. First of all, I initially found it very difficult to distinguish the pieces from each other, particularly pawns from rooks, once the middle game has been reached. I like the system's automove feature for the computer, but if I set the response time to be reasonable for regular play, I often "miss" exactly what move (or capture) the computer has made. Second of all, even in "select" mode, the computer seems to have a limited book and the algorithms focus merely on capturing material, rather than overall strategy. If I ask the computer for advice on a move, it usually suggests that I capture a piece, often at a lost of points (e.g., capturing a knight, but losing a queen). Third, as an experiment, I played a game in which I asked the computer to suggest every move, and I would have lost, but I refused the final suggestion and achieved a stalemate, rather than being checkmated. (This experiment did make me wish that I had never purchased the unit, which I use as a partner for improving my chess skills; the Maestro is not proving to be a good electronic tutor, despite some excellent features.) Fourth, some of the squares are starting to fade individually, but not the "board" overall, which would indicate that I do not yet need to replace the batteries. Fifth, the unit is well made and includes a nice case and stylus. Perhaps Saitek should have spent more time developing the Maestro, or perhaps I simply do not know how to use it properly. I would buy a hypothetical Maestro II, if I could get a discount or return my current unit. It is a convenient product and well made, but I am disappointed. Thank you.

46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Visiblity!, December 2, 2007

By 

Peter Hyatt (Orrington, Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

most all chess computers are strong; most all have more features than you could ever use; book openings, take backs, hints, tutors, problem solving,etc. They ALL have these great features. But, with the touch screens, the number 1 issue has been visibility. "Is that a pawn, or a knight?". This makes the game completely ruined.

I have tested many hand held games over the years and this one, hands down, is the best. The pieces are easily distinguishable and that is why it is a 5 star rating.

The overall feel of the game is one of quality with some weight to it. In an age where so much plastic feels like junk, this chess set is very well made. The batteries last a long time, and there are two backlight settings, for those times where you really need better lighting. You can play the games in complete silence (no beeps to wake up your spouse).

I have owned this for several years and it is really the best. Enjoy!

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of features and worth the price, June 19, 2007

By 

Philip D. Miller - 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: Saitek Maestro Travel Chess Computer from Mephisto (Toy)

I just purchased this through Amazon last week and it arrived on Saturday June 16th. After 3 days of use, I am very pleased with the unit and do not regret the purchase at all. I have several computer chess boards as well as PC based chess programs. All are great but I wanted something more portable. So the Maestro seemed perfect. When it arrived I must admit it was a little larger than I expected but still very portable. There are plenty of levels to choose from and it offers setup functions for chess problems. I find the screen very easy to read and don't have much trouble distinguishing the pieces from one another. The backlight has 2 levels (although there isn't much difference between them) and is perfect for dimly lit rooms. It also has 200 ply (100 move) take back capability. Which is great as I don't always record the moves of my games when I play. Now if I play a particularly good game, I can use the take back function to go back to the beginning and write the moves down as I replay them. The auto book feature is nice as the computer will remember openings that you have trouble with and play them more often, hence helping you improve on that opening. It also has 3 coach settings that can warn of blunders, pieces that are in danger or opportunities to win. All in all I recommend this unit for the casual chess player like myself or people that want to learn more about chess. This is unit that will challenge you for a long time to come.

The Good:
-Nice big back lit screen, easy to read with adjustable contrast
-Plenty of levels to challenge beginners up to more advanced players
-Coaching functions can be activated to help newer players avoid blunders and traps
-Auto book mode to help improve your openings
-Choice of 2 search algorithms (selective search or brute force)
-200 ply take back
-Setup mode for special chess problems
-Mate finder, tactical and infinite levels for analyzing tough chess problems
-Info mode shows what the computer is thinking and predicts what
-Built in Chess clocks for playing tournament and speed chess games
-Self Rating system

The bad
-A little bulky, definitely won't fit in your front shirt pocket
-The CPU isn't that fast so it can take a while to solve mate in 5 to 8 moves
-Self Rating system can only be used in full length tournament games
-Only 2 sound levels, on or off
-Probably not strong enough for club level players as some estimates put it's rating at around 1600 max

Thanks for reading my review.