Novag Model 38710 Emerald Classic Plus (1997) Electronic Chess Computer

ABOUT NOVAG EMERALD CLASSIC MODEL 38710 ELECTRONIC CHESS COMPUTER

NOVAG EMERALD CLASSIC PLUS Electronic Chess Computer - Picture taken from computer label.

MAIN NOVAG EMERALD CLASSIC PLUS MODEL 38710 GAME CHARACTERISTICS

SET LEVEL KEY: Your NOVAG EMERALD CLASSIC plus has 128 different level settings (including Solve Mate Levels) to choose from. You can learn and improve your chess skills with this computer. The levels are divided into 12 basic sections and are listed in 2 groups as described below. On the LCD you will see the following abbreviations for these 12 level sections:

Tr: Tournament Level Section.
At: Average Time Section.
Ft: Fixed Time Section.
Sd: Sudden Death Section.
Fd: Fixed Depth Section.
An: Analysis Section.
EA: Easy Level Section.
BE: Beginner Section.
IN: Solve Mate Section.
Fn: Fun Level Section.
EG: End Game Section.
Gn: Classical Game Section.

SOLVE MATE FUNCTION (use key marked SET LEVEL): The NOVAG EMERALD CLASSIC plus can solve most chess problems as well as mate problems up to Mate-in-8 even those that require castling, en passant captures or pawn promotion / under-promotions.

RANDOM Key: Every time you switch the computer on automatically the move with the highest rating is chosen, based on the depth of the search which is determined by the skill level. This is always the case after the opening is finished. However, this may not always provide the desired variety. If you press the RANDOM key you can choose various levels of randomness (rAnd /r And - / rAnd = / rAnd ≡ ) Level "rAn" is the least random. The computer will select a move at random from a list of possible moves, which are similar in their evaluation.

REFEREE Key: In this mode you disable the computing of moves by the computer so you may make moves for White and Black, while the computer still checks their legality. This feature may be used to enter particular book openings or to allow 2 players to challenge each other.

TAKE BACK Key: The EMERALD CLASSIC plus allows you to take back 112 half moves to enable you to rectify an earlier mistake or to play a different strategy.

TRACE FORWARD Key: This key is mainly used for tracing forward all moves after using the TAKE BACK or RESTORE function. Every press of this key will replay a move of the current game until all moves in memory have been replayed. This is indicated by the word "En d" on the LCD.

CHANGE COLOR Key: The computer is generally set to play Black and you White. If you wish to play Black in a new game, set up the Black pieces on rank 1 and 2 and the White ones on rank 7 and 8, in that case disregard the notations along the chessboard.

SETUP Key & VERIFY Key: Used to verify positions on the board or to set up new game positions of chess problems.

RESTORE Key: This function of the EMERALD CLASSIC plus allows you to restore the board position to the very beginning of the game. The computer can store 112 half moves in its memory, which normally will allow you to go back to the new game position. If, however the game was started from a SET UP position or if more than 112 half moves have been played the game will not be at the new game position. After pressing the RESTORE key the display will show "bEG in" and then indicate the beginning of the game history.

INFO Key: This key provides information on the current game as it progresses and has a rotational display to show many messages:

First press on the INFO key shows the time of the side to move, (on display you will see the message "totAL" for 1 second and the color symbol of the side whose clock is being shown).
Second press on the INFO key shows the time of the side not to move, (format as above).
Third press on the INFO key shows the evaluation of the current position adjusted to the number of pawns advantage or minus so many pawns disadvantage. The LCD shows "ScorE" and then some figures like "o 41" which means almost half a pawn advantage to the side to move. Disadvantageous evaluations are marked with a " – " sign. For example if the computer sees it is going to be mated then the score could be "– n 03".
Fourth press on the INFO key will show the number of moves made so far. (The display will show "count" and the color symbol and after 1 sec. the number of moves made so far)

NOTE: Use the CLEAR key to clear the INFO display. When the computer is thinking the display will show either the rotating display or one of the above INFO displays. To get back to the rotating display press the CLEAR key again. Once the computer has finished it's computing, the INFO display will disappear and the display will show the computer's next move. The rotating displays are:

The time spent on the current search.
The first 3 ply of the best line found so far.
The score displayed as above.
The current depth of search.
The number of legal moves in current position still needed to search out of total number of legal moves.

NOTE: Each display stays for 2 seconds.

EASY Key: The EMERALD CLASSIC plus always uses the opponent's time to compute its best response which is quite an advantage as it will sometimes reply instantly (even if the move appears difficult) since it has predicted your move and completed its assessment of your move. To disable this advantage please use the EASY key. When this mode is activated you will see the message "EASY ≡ " on the LCD and if turned off you will see "EASY". This key acts as a toggle with alternate key presses turning it ON and OFF.

NEXT BEST Key: It may be of interest to you to know which move in a given position is the next best choice with its evaluation equal or just less than the move just played by the computer.

Excerpts taken from the NOVAG EMERALD CLASSIC PLUS user manual and box.

Technical Specification

Novag Emerald Classic Plus (1997)

Control Buttons

LCD Display

User Manual

Spacious Mind

Schachcomputer.Info

Active 2017

Tourn. 2015

2006

-

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

Final

-

MANUFACTURER

PROGRAMMER

Novag Industries Ltd.

David Kittinger

2294 USCF

1997

$295.00

1920

Year:

MFR ELO:

Original Price:

Wiki ELO:

Model #:

38710

My Serial #:

975465

Processor OEM

Hitachi

Processor:

H8/300

Speed:

Type:

8 Bit

26.6/2 = 13.3 MHz

ROM:

32 KB

RAM:

1 KB

Battery Type:

Not Available

Power Adapter:

9V DC 300 mA -/+

Display:

LCD + 16 LEDs

Board Type:

Press Sensory

Overall Size:

Board Size:

8.3/4x8.3/4 in

14x10.1/2x1.1/2

Options Select:

Button Select

Play Levels:

128

Opening Book:

8900 Half Moves

Take Back:

112 Half Moves

Position Setup:

Available

Position Verify:

Available

Move Analysis:

Display Info:

Available

Solve Mate:

Mate in 8

Save Game:

Available

Ponder:

Available

Search Depth:

18 Ply Max.

Provide Hint:

Available

Teach Mode:

Not Available

Change Sides:

Available

Active Level:

TM Level:

TR7

Infinite Level:

AN8

AT5

Hardware Specification

Game Features

Matchplay & Test ELO Ratings

Computer Game Rating

Rating Test

Other Computer Chess Ratings

USCF

Spacious Mind

Human Rating

USCF

CCR

CCNS 2013

Ply

FIDE

USCF

-

1952

-

2092

2031

Expert Level Electronic Table Top Chess Computer!