Chess Champion Mk I

Novag Industries Limited; Hong Kong

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  • Année
  • 1978 ?
  • Catégorie
  • Processeur de signal et informatique
  • Radiomuseum.org ID
  • 371862

 Spécifications techniques

  • No. de transistors
  • Semi-conducteurs présents
  • Semi-conducteurs
  • Principe général
  • DSP, traitement numérique du signal
  • Gammes d'ondes
  • - sans
  • Tension / type courant
  • Batteries / Alim. BT séparée avec fiche / AA: 6 x 1.5 V / DC: 9 Volt
  • Haut-parleur
  • - - Pas de sortie basse fréquence
  • Matière
  • Plastique moderne (pas de bakélite, ni de catalin)
  • De Radiomuseum.org
  • Modèle: Chess Champion Mk I - Novag Industries Limited; Hong
  • Forme
  • Portable, appareil de poche. Taille < 20cm
  • Dimensions (LHP)
  • 225 x 54 x 124 mm / 8.9 x 2.1 x 4.9 inch
  • Remarques

  • Novag Chess Champion Mk I
    Introduced in 1978, the Chess Champion Mk I was manufactured in Hong Kong by Novag Industries Ltd. In the United States, the device was imported and marketed exclusively by JS&A Group, Inc. (Northbrook, IL) under the name JS&A Chess Computer.

    Software Architecture & Copyright Precedent:
    The unit utilised an internal chess program closely derived from the earlier CompuChess software (developed for Data Cash Systems). This similarity led to a landmark legal dispute—Data Cash Systems, Inc. v. JS&A Group, Inc.—alleging the unauthorized copying of object code from ROM. The resulting litigation became an influential early precedent in computer law regarding copyright protections for object code stored in read-only memory (ROM).

    Marketing Impact:
    JS&A played a pivotal role in popularizing microprocessor-based chess in North America through direct-mail campaigns, national print advertisements, and interactive "Challenge the Computer" promotional themes. Although JS&A did not design or manufacture the hardware, their distribution network brought early digital chess devices to a broad consumer market.

    Technical Characteristics

    • Processor (CPU): Fairchild F8 running at 1.78 MHz
    • Memory Capacity: Approximately 2 KB ROM (containing chess program code) and 256 Bytes RAM
    • User Input: 16-key tactile keypad (manual coordinate entry; pre-sensory playing board)
    • Visual Output: 4-digit red LED display and status indicators for move coordinates and game status
    • Playing Strength: Modest by modern standards, but highly competitive among late-1970s consumer-grade chess computers
    • Power Supply: External 9V DC mains adapter or 6x 1.5V AA (UM-3) batteries
    • Cabinet Casing: Desktop housing in black/grey impact-resistant ABS plastic

    Collector & Historical Legacy

    The JS&A / Novag Chess Champion Mk I marks a key historical transition from electromechanical game units to fully digital, microprocessor-based desktop systems. Today, it remains highly sought after by computer-chess collectors and tech historians for its place in early consumer electronics distribution and its connection to the foundational legal history of software copyright.

  • Auteur
  • Modèle crée par Gary Cowans. Voir les propositions de modification pour les contributeurs supplémentaires.

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