At the 9th World Microcomputer Chess Championship, which was held at Almeria, Spain, from September 24th to October 1st, 1988, Almeria became World Champion. Once again MEPHISTO dominated as it had done before in Glasgow (1984), Amsterdam (1985), Dallas (1986), and Rome (1987). This run of world championship success surely proved that that the worlds best chess programmer Richard Lang once again managed to improve the strength of his program. The improvement made by MEPHISTO and Richard Lang were numerous:

Hardware:

For the first time in a factory produced chess computer the enormous working memory capacity of 512 KB RAM (with Almeria 16 Bit with Motorola 68,000 processor) and 1024 KB (with Almeria 32 Bit) was introduced to the world of chess computers. This allowed the processing speed for a move to be increased considerably, compared to all previous chess computers.

Picture shows Mephisto Almeria 16 Bit game module control keys. There are 4 directional keys an 1 enter and 1 clear key. These keys are used to set the levels and game options on the 32 Bit LCD Display module.

Software:

The software has been improved in many areas:

Opening:

The opening library has been increased to about 7.000 variations with about 60,000 half-moves, which makes the program even more attractive to play with.

Middle game:

More chess knowledge was developed in this area of the game through improved strategical knowledge especially in pawn structure awareness. A more active game and pressing game together with pieces working harmoniously together greatly increased the play in the middle game.

Endgame:

Improved handling of advanced and connected passed pawns as well as improved King maneuverability in the endgame.  Enormous increase of computing speed due to the use of hash tables.

Picture shows “Almeria 1988” this was Mephisto’s and programmer Richard Lang's 5th consecutive World Microcomputer Chess Championship (WMCCC) success.

New 16/32 Bit Display Module

This was the first time that MEPHISTO introduced a 32-digit display dot matrix display module. This greatly improved the menu driven dialog with the game options and functions.

The program was sold in three versions: Motorola 68000, 68020 and 68030 microprocessors. This version is the Motorola 68000 16 Bit version. The playing strength is approximately ELO 2280 USCF.

Mephisto Almeria 16 Bit chess game module playing inside a Mephisto Muenchen Magnet-Sensory Board.

MEPHISTO ALMERIA 16 BIT  MODULAR BOARD COMPATIBILITY CHART:

 

Technical Specification

Mephisto Almeria 16 Bit (1988) Chess Game Module

16 Digit Display

Show Module

User Manual

Spacious Mind

Schachcomputer.Info

Active 2015

Tourn. 2017

2099

2083

T1

T2

T3

T4

T5

Final

-

-

-

-

-

-

MANUFACTURER

PROGRAMMER

Hegener + Glaser

Richard Lang

2250 German

1988

$1495.00

2015

Year:

MFR ELO:

Original Price:

Wiki ELO:

Model #:

-

My Serial #:

0608489

Processor OEM

Motorola

Processor:

68000

Speed:

Type:

16 Bit

12 MHz

ROM:

128 KB

RAM:

512 KB

Battery Type:

Mains Only

Power Adapter:

Board Powered

Display:

Needs 16/32 Disp

Board Type:

Needs ext. Board

Overall Size:

Not Applicable

3.3/4x7.5/8x3/4

Options Select:

Button Select

Play Levels:

Infinite Amount

Opening Book:

7000 Variations

Take Back:

All Moves

Position Setup:

Available

Position Verify:

Available

Move Analysis:

Display Info:

Available

8 ply main var.

Solve Mate:

Mate in 16

Save Game:

Available

Ponder:

Available

Search Depth:

31 ply max.

Provide Hint:

Available

Teach Mode:

Not Available

Change Sides:

Available

Active Level:

TM Level:

TOURN 03

Infinite Level:

INFIN

NORML 04

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 1994

CCNS 1994

Ply 1994

FIDE

USCF

2200

2180

2199

2123

2185

Top View of Mephisto Almeria 16 Bit Module inside Mephisto Muenchen Modular Chess Board

Expert Level Electronic Chess Module!

Board Size:

6 Key Game Module - 16 Bit Motorola 68,000 Processor

16/32 Bit Dot Matrix Display Module