ABOUT NOVAG AQUAMARINE PREMIER MODEL 9604 ELECTRONIC CHESS COMPUTER
NOVAG AQUAMARINE PREMIER Electronic Chess Computer - Picture taken from box.
The NOVAG AQUAMARINE PREMIER is an elegant, modern table top sensory chess computer with a strong program and a comprehensive and varied opening book. The large sensory surface and clear LCD move display makes it a joy to play.
NOVAG AQUAMARINE PREMIER Electronic Chess Computer - Picture taken from box.
MAIN NOVAG AQUAMARINE PREMIER MODEL 9604 GAME CHARACTERISTICS
- The reliable table top chess computer with easy to operate SENSOR TECHNOLOGY.
- Ideal for novice to casual players.
- NEW strong 4K program with 63 playing levels, including problem solving levels up to Mate-in-7.
- Programmed in accordance with the International Chess Rules, knows en-passant moves, castling and Pawn promotion.
- Check, Stalemate and Mate announcement.
- Fast response times.
- Plays against itself.
- With HINT and TRAINING FUNCTION which are great tutoring features.
- Easy correction through TAKE BACK function (up to 32 half-moves).
- Position verification and position set up for problem solving.
- One set of 6 X AA cells (not supplied) allows 1000 hours of play or optional universal mains adapter (Novag Art. No. 8210).
NOVAG AQUAMARINE PREMIER Features.- Picture taken from Novag product catalog.
This chess computer has been manufactured under the traditionally high quality and safety standards of Novag Industries Ltd. and complies with the European standard which is guaranteed by the importer whose name is marked on the enclosed warranty card. Not suitable for children under 36 months due to inclusion of small parts.
Excerpts taken from the NOVAG Aquamarine Premier user manual and box.
WHAT IS THE PROCESSOR INSIDE THIS COMPUTER?
As a result of some reported Ron Nelson comments with regards to having to switch to lower cost yet more efficient semiconductors in the 1990’s resulting in a new range of Excalibur Electronics computers launched around that time using Intel 80C50 manufactured by Asian semiconductor companies. The same transformation most likely took place with all the other manufacturers of electronic chess computers, beginning in the late 1980’s.
Novag never advertised the processor used inside many of their computers which made it more of a guessing game of what they actually used. However by indicating in their sales literature the speed, ROM and RAM size, it does allow you to narrow your best estimate down to what kind of processor it may be.
None of the electronic chess computer manufacturers produced volumes that allowed them to specify custom microchips and therefore had to rely on what was easily available for purchase in Hong Kong and China.
Novag in some previous models had used Intel MCS-48 based 80C49 processors so it stands to reason that at the time of Novag Aquamarine Premier with its dual LCD display, they were probably using the next generation Intel MCS-51 based processor 80C51 manufactured by Asian semiconductor companies.
As it happens while researching data sheets an 80C51 Dual LCD semiconductor existed, and still exists today, manufactured by Philips Semiconductors (nowadays operating as NXP Semixonductors), who at that time was one of the top 10 world manufacturers of semiconductors with production locations in China, Taiwan, Malaysia and Thailand.
This 80C51 Dual LCD semiconductor matches exactly in configurable specifications what Novag had advertised as 8 MHz 8 Bit 16 KB ROM and 256 Byte RAM used in some Novag chess computers as well as 8 KB ROM and 768 Byte RAM which was used in many other Novag chess computers from around 1996 onwards.
To encourage discussion and further research a ? is shown behind the Processor OEM name and Processor in the table descriptions below. Perhaps someone has a broken computer and is willing to open it up and take it apart to check this further. In the meantime please enjoy the information below as a best estimate. The truth probably lies somewhere between 80C49 and 80C51.
Technical Specification
Novag Aquamarine Premier (1996)
Box
Computer Label
User Manual
Spacious Mind
Schachcomputer.Info
Active 2017
Tourn. 2015
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T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
Final
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MANUFACTURER
PROGRAMMER
Novag Industries Ltd.
David Kittinger
1750 USCF
1996
$149,00
1500
Year:
MFR ELO:
Original Price:
Wiki ELO:
Model #:
9604
My Serial #:
103148
Processor OEM
Philips Semicon?
Processor:
80C51?
Speed:
Type:
8 Bit
8 MHz
ROM:
4 KB
RAM:
768 Byte
Battery Type:
6 x AA
Power Adapter:
9V DC 300 mA -/+
Display:
LCD 4 Pos 7 Seg
Board Type:
Press Sensory
Overall Size:
Board Size:
8x8 in
9.1/4x11.1/4x1
Options Select:
Button Select
Play Levels:
63
Opening Book:
145 Half Moves
Take Back:
32 Half Moves
Position Setup:
Available
Position Verify:
Available
Move Analysis:
Display Info:
Not Available
Not Available
Solve Mate:
Mate in 7
Save Game:
Available
Ponder:
Not Available
Search Depth:
14 Ply Max.
Provide Hint:
Available
Teach Mode:
Available
Change Sides:
Available
Active Level:
TM Level:
D2
Infinite Level:
F8
C5
Hardware Specification
Game Features
Matchplay & Test ELO Ratings
Computer Game Rating
Rating Test
Other Computer Chess Ratings
USCF
USCF
Spacious Mind
Human Rating
USCF
CCR
CCNS
Ply
FIDE
USCF
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Class D Level Electronic Table Top Chess Computer!
