Star Diamond Chess Computer 1004

The Novag Star Diamond (Model 1004), released around 2003, represents the pinnacle and twilight era of dedicated, high-end tabletop electronic chess computers. Designed during a period when the dedicated chess computer market was rapidly contracting due to the rise of personal computers and software engines, the Star Diamond was one of Novag’s final major master-level machines.

Featuring a classic sensory pressure-board housed in a sleek tabletop chassis, the unit is celebrated both for its high-speed calculation performance and its refined industrial design. Its travel-sized counterpart was released concurrently under the name Novag Star Sapphire.

Technical Characteristics & Hardware Architecture

Processor (CPU): Powered by a 16-bit Hitachi/Renesas H8S/2312 RISC processor clocked at 25 MHz (with some technical documentation referencing architecture variations like the Hitachi SH series).

Memory:

• 512 KB ROM (with certain variants/manual references citing up to 1 MB).
• 256 KB RAM, which allocates a generous 118 KB exclusively to transposition and hash tables to optimize search depth.

User Interface:

• Sensory chessboard utilizing pressure switches beneath each square.
• Multi-function 6-digit, 7-segment LCD screen flanked by 16 status LEDs for clear rank and file move visualization.

Chess Program & Playing Strength:

• Programmed by legendary chess computer developer David Kittinger.
• Features a massive built-in opening book containing over 123,000 half-moves (extending up to 60+ ply deep) alongside a 3,000-ply user-programmable opening book.
• Estimated tournament playing strength sits roughly between 2150 and 2250 Elo, with marketing positioning it up to a USCF 2500 potential under optimal tournament settings.
• Includes advanced analytical features such as game storage for up to 64 complete games, an extensive take-back facility (up to 112 half-moves), multiple playing styles (active, passive, tournament books), and an integrated performance rating evaluation system.

Power Supply:

• Internal: 4 x 1.5V AA alkaline batteries (providing approximately 50 hours of continuous operation).
• External: Optional AC/DC mains adapter (9V DC, 300 mA, center-negative, typically Novag Art. No. 8210).

Historical Significance
The Star Diamond occupies a unique historical space in consumer electronics. As dedicated microprocessor-based chess boards were being phased out by software running on general-purpose PCs and smartphones, Novag's 2003 release stood out as a sophisticated, standalone hardware achievement. For collectors and museums, it represents the final evolutionary step of dedicated heuristic chess hardware before the format transitioned entirely into niche collector status or modern connected smart-boards.

Here you find 6 models, 6 with images and 0 with schematics for wireless sets etc. In French: TSF for Télégraphie sans fil.
All listed radios etc. from Novag Industries Limited; Hong Kong