Fidelity Electronics Chess Challenger 10

The best technology for playing chess from year 1979!

The one picture above has the serial number 173357 and was bought in Zürich Switzerland.

There is 3 models available

• A (07/1978) has 16 keys on the keyboard and for 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, will respond 3. Cc3
• B (11/1978) has 16 keys on the keyboard and for 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6, will respond 3. Cf3
• C (05/1979) has only 12 keys and has an optimized software.

• Model: Chess Challenger 10
• Manufacturer: Fidelity International
• Year: 1979
• Estimated ELO rating: 1200
• Levels of play:10
• Processor: Z80A @4 MHz
• Programmer: Ron C Nelson
• Type: Keypad / Calculator with magnetic pieces
• Dimensions:    33.3 x 21.4 x 2.9 cm.
• Memory:    4 KB ROM, 0.5 KB RAM
• AC – adapter connected directly to computer – non-removable
• price: 450€

At the time, Fidelity was located in Chicago, IL, USA – 5244 W. Diversey Ave
The warranty was 90 days. After 90 days you had to ship the unit plus a $35 money order to them.

The manual indicated that the Chess Challenger could be upgraded after June 1, 1977 by sending the unit back to them and a money order for US$ 75.00

“…the game analyzes each position and, after considering all possible chess moves, makes a decision which is determined to be the best available move.
The sophisticated program used in this decision-making process is thoroughly tested, and each game manufactured acts like all other games. Thus, CHESS CHALLENGER cannot make a fundamental error.
Initially you may find that CHESS CHALLENGER may appear to be making an illegal move. However, this is highly unlikely.”

Fidelity Chess Challenger 10. Model CCX.  The manual indicates that level 7 is for postal chess (by mail) and the average response time is 24 hours!

Here’s a complete list of the levels of play with the average response time for A or B model, C being provided for reference in bold:

• CL1 – Beginner –          5 Seconds (3 Seconds)
• CL2 – Intermediate –     15 Seconds (10 Seconds)
• CL3 – Experienced  –     35 Seconds (50 Seconds)
• CL4 – Advanced –       1:20 minutes (1:20 minutes)
• CL5 – Superior –       2:20 minutes (3 minutes)
• CL6 – Mate in 2 –        60 minutes (6 minutes)
• CL7 – Postal chess –     24 hours (12 minutes)
• CL8 – Expert –           11 minutes (20 minutes)
• CL9 – Excellent –         6 minutes (70 minutes)
• CL10 – Tournament –       3 minute (15 minutes)

Key description

• RE reset
• switch sound off
• CL clear
• EN enter
• LV level
• DM double move
• PB Problem
• PV Verify

Here is the opening move of the model CC10 B

• 1. e4 e5 2. Sf3 Sc6 3. Lc4 Lc5 4. c3 Sf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Lb4+
• 1. e4 e5 2. Sf3 Sc6 3. Lb5 a6 4. La4 Sf6
• 1. e4 c5 2. Sf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Sxd4 Sf6 5. Sc3 g6 6. Le2 Lg7
• 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5
• 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Sc3 Sf6 4. Lg5 Le7 5. e5 Sfd7
• 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Sc3 Sf6 4. e5 Sfd7 5. any c5
• 1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Sc3 Sf6 4. Lg5 Sbd7
• 1. d4 d5 2. c4 c6 3. Sf3