19-04-2021

Fidelity Chess Challenger 12



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Home * Organizations * Fidelity Electronics

Fidelity Logo [1]

Fidelity Electronics (Fidelity International Inc.),
was an American hearing-aid manufacturing company, founded in 1959, and in March 1970 purchased by Sidney and Myron Samole[2] . Among its other cutting-edge technology, Fidelity Electronics produced high-tech, bio-medical products, such as myo-electric hands, prostheses that could actually be controlled by the brain impulses of amputees. Since 1976, Fidelity Electronics developed and produced dedicated chess computers.

12-1984 E-0901 Fidelity - Sensory Chess Challenger 12 (3,6 MHz edition) Model SX12C. En nog een versie van de Sensory Chess Challenger 12. Ook van dit Challenger 12 model is bijzonder weinig bekend. Zoals we hieronder kunnen lezen ging de rekensnelheid pas met de invoering van dit model omhoog naar 3,6 MHz. Fidelity Electronics, Mephisto, Saitek Industries and Excalibur. Designer Display Chess Challenger Manual - Model 6105, 6106. Designer Mach III Master Manual - Model 6113. Sensory 12 Chess Challenger Manual - Model SC12. Sphinx Manual - Model 3018, 3038, 3048.

  • 4People
  • 9External Links

Director of Engineering: Ron Nelson

Kathe and Dan SpracklendebuggingChallenger with Apple IIin-circuit emulator[4]

Chess

Sidney Samole was the man who dreamed, patented and produced the first commercial chess computer. He closely cooperated with Ron Nelson and later with Dan and Kathe Spracklen. He was credited with inventing the first commercial electronic chess game in the 1970s after watching a Star Trek episode [5] . It seems that he actually had the idea but it was Ron Nelson who really created the machine, called Fidelity Chess Challenger 1[6][7] . After building three working models and four non-working models, Sidney Samole decided to promote his new brainchild at Chicago'sConsumer Electronics Show in January 1977[8] . Fidelity prospered. In fact, it seems that the success of the Fidelity Chess Challenger 7 computer [9] , which sold about 600,000 units was responsible for the move from Chicago, Illinois to MiamiFlorida in January 1981. Fidelity also produced computerized Bridge, Checkers, and Othello games. Fidelity manufactured all its games in the US.

By 1989, a recession was in the wind, and Sidney Samole was sensitive to its warning breezes. He sold Fidelity Electronics at the top of its value to Hegener & Glaser. Sidney's son, Shane Samole, who already started Fidelity Canada in 1984 [10] took a loan from his father and started Excalibur Electronics in 1992. Sidney Samole died on July 30, 2000 [11] .

Fidelity chess computers won the first four World Microcomputer Chess Championships: Chess Challenger won in London 1980, Fidelity X in Travemünde 1981, Elite A/S in Budapest 1983, and Elite X in Glasgow 1984. Moreover, they won the four United States Open Computer Chess Championships, all held in Mobile, Alabama, in 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1988 (Chessmaster 2100) . A remarkable performance is its first place in the ACM 1988 Championship, tied with Deep Thought.

Programmers

Ron Nelson, Kathe and Dan Spracklen were Samole's protégés and 'house' programmers. Nelson programs were all Intel8080 or ZilogZ80 based, while the Spracklens relied on MOS Technology6502 and later on Motorola68000 and successors. Soon after Samole sold Fidelity to Hegener & Glaser, some more programmers were associated with Fidelity chess computers.

Author List of computers [12]
Kaare DanielsenDanielsen, Kaare
Frank Duason
Ed English
Richard LangLang, Richard
Ron NelsonNelson, Ron
Frans MorschMorsch, Frans
Eric van Riet PaapVan Riet Paap, Eric
Dan SpracklenSpracklen, Dan & Kathe
Kathe SpracklenSpracklen, Dan & Kathe
Mark TaylorTaylor, Mark

Misc

  • Tom Fürstenberg[13]
  • Florian Glaser since 1989
  • Manfred Hegener since 1989
  • David Levy[14]

Fidelity had various brand names for their chess computers, most notably Chess Challenger. While competing at official tournaments, development- or experimental versions were called Fidelity X or Challenger X.

  • Schachcomputer: Markt und Müll, Der Spiegel 49/1979, December 03, 1979, (German) pdf
  • Schachcomputer: Tricks und Trug, Der Spiegel 50/1980, December 08, 1980, (German) pdf
  • Göran Grottling (1988). Thank you Mister Spock! Ein Interview mit Sid Samole.Modul 4/88, pp. 36-38 (German), pdf hosted by Hein Veldhuis
  • Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence (2000). 'How About a Nice Game of Chess?' - Any Time. Sidney Samole (1935-2000). Chess Café, October 17, 2000, pdf
  • The Fidelity vs. ICD/Your Move Lawsuit... The Epic by Steven Schwartz, CCC, October 19, 2000 » ICD Corporation
  • Ron Nelson by ChessChallenger, Hiarcs Forum, December 23, 2015 » Sidney Samole
Chess
Fidelity and Fast Hardware by ChessChallenger, Hiarcs Forum, December 31, 2015

Fidelity

  • Fidelity Electronics from chesscomputers.org
  • Fidelity Electronic Chess Computers from The Spacious Mind
  • Fidelity | Photo collection by Chewbanta
  • Fidelity ..The Golden Years | Photo collection by Chewbanta
  • Search Fidelity from the Mastering the Game exhibition and on-line collection from The Computer History Museum
  • Fidelity from Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  • Die Geschichte der Firma Fidelity - Teil 1 by Alwin Gruber, Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  • Die Geschichte der Firma Fidelity - Teil 2 by Alwin Gruber, Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  • Die Geschichte der Firma Fidelity - Teil 3 by Alwin Gruber, Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  • Die Geschichte der Firma Fidelity - Teil 4 by Alwin Gruber, Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
Fidelity sensory chess challenger 12

Fidelity Chess Challenger Instructions

ICGA Tournaments

Chess Computers

Chess Challenger 10

Year Product Link(s) [15][16] Author(s) Processor Tournaments
1977Fidelity Chess Challenger 1
Fidelity Chess Challenger (CC1)
Fidelity Chess Challenger 1		Ron Nelson8080
Fidelity Chess Challenger 3
Chess Challenger 3, CC1 vs CC3		Ron Nelson8080, 2 MHz
1978Fidelity Chess Challenger 10Ron NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
1979Fidelity Chess Challenger 7Ron NelsonZ80
Fidelity Chess Challenger VoiceRon NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
1980Fidelity Sensory 8Ron NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
Fidelity Voice Sensory Chess ChallengerRon NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
Fidelity Decorator ChallengerRon NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
1981Fidelity Chess Challenger Mini SensoryRon Nelson80C50, 6 MHz
Fidelity Champion Sensory Chess ChallengerDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 2 MHzWMCCC 1980, 1st
1982Fidelity Super 9 Sensory Chess Challenger
Fidelity Super 9		Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 2 MHz
Fidelity USCF Special Edition
Fidelity USCF Special Edition		Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 2.5 MHz
Fidelity Elite Champion Sensory Chess Challenger
Fidelity Elite Champion		Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 4 MHzWMCCC 1981, 1st
Fidelity EleganceDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3, 3.6 MHz
Fidelity Prestige
Fidelity Prestige		Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 4 MHz
1983Fidelity Playmatic SDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3.1 MHz
Fidelity Elite A/S BudapestDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3.2 MHzWMCCC 1983, 1st
Fidelity PoppyRon NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
1984Fidelity Elite A/S GlasgowDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3.6, 4 MHzWMCCC 1984, 1st
Fidelity Sensory 12Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3, 4 MHz
Fidelity Septennial Chess Challenger
Fidelity Champion Septennial		Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3 MHz
Fidelity Elite PrivatDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 5 MHz
1985Fidelity ClassicRon NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
Fidelity ExcellenceDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3, 4, 5 MHz
1986Fidelity Silver BulletRon NelsonZ80
Fidelity Elite Avant GardeDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 5 MHz
Fidelity Elite Avant Garde 2100Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 6 MHz
Fidelity Par ExcellenceDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 5 MHz
Chess Challenger XDan and Kathe Spracklen
Ron Nelson, Danny Kopec		Z80, 16 x 68000ACM 1986, 7th
Fidelity XDan and Kathe Spracklen
Danny Kopec		68020ACM 1986, 10th
1987Fidelity The GambitRon Nelson80C50, 6 MHz
Fidelity Gambit VoiceRon NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
Fidelity Excel 68000Dan and Kathe Spracklen68000, 12 MHz
Fidelity Excel 68000 Mach IIDan and Kathe Spracklen68000, 12 MHz
1988Fidelity Excel DisplayDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3 MHz
Fidelity Designer 2000Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 3 MHz
Fidelity PhantomDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 5 MHz
Fidelity Designer 2100 DisplayDan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 6 MHz
Chess Challenger X[17]Dan and Kathe Spracklen
Ron Nelson		68030ACM 1988, 2nd
Fidelity Excel Mach IIIDan and Kathe Spracklen68000
1989Fidelity Elite Avant Garde V2Dan and Kathe Spracklen68000, 16 MHz
Fidelity Elite Avant Garde V6Dan and Kathe Spracklen68020, 20 MHz
Fidelity Excel Mach IVDan and Kathe Spracklen68020, 20 MHzAegon 1989
Fidelity Elite Avant Garde V9Dan and Kathe Spracklen68030, 32 MHz
Fidelity X[18]Dan and Kathe Spracklen68030[19]WCCC 1989, 6th
Fidelity Chess CardDavid Levy, Mark TaylorHMCS40, 0.5 MHz, 4 Bit
Fidelity Chess PalDavid Levy, Mark TaylorHMCS40, 0.6 MHz, 4 Bit
1990Fidelity Elite Avant Garde V10[20]Dan and Kathe Spracklen68040, 25 MHz
Fidelity Chesster Challenger, Kishon Chesster
Fidelity Chesster Phantom Eyeball		Dan and Kathe Spracklen6502, 5Mhz
65C02, 3.6 MHz
Fidelity Designer 1500Ron NelsonZ80, 4 MHz
Fidelity Designer 2265 MasterDan and Kathe Spracklen68000, 16 MHz
Fidelity MarauderEric van Riet PaapM50743, 8 MHz
Fidelity GenesisKaare Danielsen6301V, 7.2 MHz
1991Fidelity TinyEric van Riet PaapM50743, 8 MHz
Fidelity Chess Challenger MicroDavid Levy, Mark TaylorHMCS40, 0.6 MHz, 4 Bit
Fidelity Designer 2325 MasterDan and Kathe Spracklen68020, 20 MHz
1992Fidelity Travel MasterFrans MorschH8/330, 10 MHz
Fidelity EldoradoRon Nelson80C49, 6 MHz, 8 Bit
Fidelity Elite Premiere
Fidelity Elite Premiere		Dan and Kathe Spracklen,
Richard Lang		68000, 16 MHz
1994Fidelity Elite Avant Garde V11
Fidelity Elite Avant Garde V.11		Dan and Kathe Spracklen68060, 75 MHz
Chess challenger 10
  1. ↑Fidelity Electronics from Wikipedia
  2. ↑The Fidelity Story, Image hosted by Schachcomputer.info Wiki
  3. ↑16.Fidelity ..The Golden Years | Flickr - Fotosharing by Chewbanta
  4. ↑John D. Ferguson (1983). In-Circuit Emulation for the Apple II Computer. Byte Magazine, September 1983, pdf
  5. ↑Göran Grottling (1988). Thank you Mister Spock! Ein Interview mit Sid Samole.Modul 4/88, pp. 36-38 (German), pdf hosted by Hein Veldhuis
  6. ↑Fidelity Chess Challenger 1 from chesscomputers.org
  7. ↑Fidelity Chess Challenger (CC1) from Chess Computer UK by Mike Watters
  8. ↑Lev Alburt and Al Lawrence (2000). 'How About a Nice Game of Chess?' - Any Time. Sidney Samole (1935-2000). Chess Café, October 17, 2000, pdf
  9. ↑Fidelity Chess Challenger 7 from Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  10. ↑Fidelity Electronics Inc. - About Us
  11. ↑The Editor (2000). SIDNEY SAMOLE (1935-2000). ICGA JournalVol. 23, No. 4 - December 2000
  12. ↑Schachcomputer.info Wiki
  13. ↑Furstenberg (Dutch)
  14. ↑Levy, David from Schachcomputer.info Wiki
  15. ↑Fidelity from Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  16. ↑Chess Computer UK by Mike Watters
  17. ↑Monty Newborn and Danny Kopec (1989). Results of The Nineteenth ACM North American Computer Chess Championship, in The Twentieth ACM North American Computer Chess Championship from The Computer History Museum, pdf
  18. ↑Fidelity X chess computer at the 6th World Chess Championship in Edmonton, Alberta, The Computer History Museum
  19. ↑Kings Move - Welcome to the 1989 AGT World Computer Chess Championship. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, Courtesy of Peter Jennings, from The Computer History Museum, pdf
  20. ↑Frederic Friedel (1990). Elektronischer Sekundant ein Fidelity-Computer bei der Schach-WM in New-York. Computerschach und Spiele 6/90 (German)

Fidelity Chess Challenger 12

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