Novag Model 38709 Turquoise (1997) Electronic Chess Computer

ABOUT NOVAG TURQUOISE MODEL 38709 ELECTRONIC CHESS COMPUTER

The fastest chess computer in its class with an excellent tactical game and easy to operate SENSOR TECHNOLOGY.

MAIN NOVAG TURQUOISE MODEL 38709 GAME CHARACTERISTICS

The TURQUOISE has a long-term memory and will retain the last board position.
The NOVAG TURQUOISE has a Sensor-chessboard which registers your moves automatically when the appropriate squares are gently pressed.
If the TURQUOISE makes a capturing move it will show on the LCD the symbol "x" and in case of En Passant pawn captures it will also show "ep".
The TURQUOISE is programmed in accordance with the International Chess Rules and does not accept nor make illegal moves.
If one of your pawns reaches the opposite side of the board, the chess computer will allow you to promote or under-promote it to any desired piece.
If a computer pawn reaches the opposite side of the board, the computer indicates on the LCD display into which piece the pawn will be promoted or under-promoted.
The computer announces a Stalemate by the word "dr StL" on display.
The TURQUOISE recognizes the following special draw conditions as stated by the World Chess Federation:

Draw due to insufficient material is announced by the word "dr in5" on display.
50 moves without a capture or a pawn moves is displayed with "dr 50".
And 3 times repetition of position is displayed with "dr 3rd".

NOVAG TURQUOISE GAME LEVELS

Your NOVAG TURQUOISE 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 in this chapter. 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 and Gn = Classical Game Section.

TOURNAMENT LEVEL SECTION : Tr 1 - Tr 16: The Tournament Levels require you to make a specific number of moves within a given amount of time, which simulates a tournament, game. There are 40 moves pre-set which have to be played within a fixed time, e.g. 40 moves in 120 min.

AVERAGE LEVEL SECTION: At 1 - At 16: The computer will use half of the specified time to calculate the counter-move and use the remaining time to complete the search. The time varies in the opening game, the middle game and end game position accordingly. The computer tends to play faster in the openings and endgame positions, but in complicated middle game positions it may take longer to make its move. Depending on the position the computer may take up to four times the set time on these levels.

FIXED TIME LEVEL SECTION: Ft 1 - Ft 16: The computer will only use the time selected to calculate each counter-move.

SUDDEN DEATH LEVEL SECTION: Sd 1 - Sd 16: On the Sudden Death Levels the computer will try to finish the game within the given time you have set. The time the computer uses for each move depends on the time already used so far and the actual position.

If you or the computer exceed the specified time control the game will be declared lost. To keep track of the remaining time these levels use countdown clocks. The total time clock starts at the set level (e.g. 20:00 on level Sd 5) and counts down to 00:00. When the clock reaches 00:00 you will hear 3 beeps and the LCD will show "FLAG". The side to move loses on time. If you wish you could continue to play and finish the game; in this case the total time will be displayed and will be counted continuously.

FIXED DEPTH LEVEL SECTION: Fd 1 - Fd 8: On these levels you set the computer's search depth and it can only search to the depth you have entered.

Please note that the time the computer needs to reach the set search depth will vary with the board position. As a general rule the computer needs 3 to 6 times as much time to reach the next depth, as it is needed to reach the current depth.

ANALYSIS LEVEL SECTION: An 1 - An 8: These levels provide deeper searches for more complicated positions. On level An 8 the computer searches indefinitely until a Check Mate is found or you stop the search by pressing the GO key.

If the search is halted the computer makes the move it currently thinks is the best. On this level it might be very interesting to watch the computer analyze complicated positions four hours or even days!

NOVICE LEVEL SECTION: EA 1 - EA 8 & BEGINNER LEVEL SECTION: BE 1 - BE 8: These levels are designed for novice players. On these levels the computer restricts its search which produces a weaker play giving the beginners a better chance of winning against the computer. The computer tends to search for more captures rather than trying to balance its game.

SOLVE MATE LEVELS SECTION: IN 1 - IN 8: If you have a position where there might be a mate and you want the computer to find it, set the computer on one of the Solve Mate Levels. The TURQUOISE will search for the shortest possible solution to a mate problem up to Mate-in-8. If the computer discovers a forced mate it will display a mate announcement. If there is no mate present or the computer cannot find a mate you will see "nonE" on display.

FUN LEVEL SECTION: Fn 1 - Fn 8: On these levels the computer makes some very human mistakes and plays almost instantaneously with very little strategy or tactical insight. Even rank beginners should be able to beat the computer on these levels!

The degree of selectivity may be set independently for Black and White. However, the computer will always assume you wish to have the same level for black and white unless you tell it otherwise.

END GAME POSITION SECTION: EG 1 - EG 8: Eight endgame positions for you to practice your endgame skills.

CLASSIC GAME SECTION: Gn 1 - Gn 8: Eight Classic games for you to play back.

Excerpts taken from the NOVAG TURQUOISE user manual and box.

Technical Specification

Novag Turquoise (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

$199.00

1940

Year:

MFR ELO:

Original Price:

Wiki ELO:

Model #:

38709

My Serial #:

954879

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:

9X9 in

11.1/4X13X1 in.

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!