The Excalibur King Master III is a 2-in-1 electronic chess and checkers computer with a sensory board, offering multiple strength levels (around 73 for chess, 16 for checkers) and an estimated 1750 chess strength rating, featuring a large LCD, move take-back, hint, teach modes, a chess timer, magnetic pieces, and built-in storage for pieces. It's battery-operated and designed as a personal trainer for players of varying skills, with a memory to save games.
KEY FEATURES
Dual Game Play: Plays both Chess and Checkers.
Strength Levels: Many chess levels (around 73) and 16 checker levels, with an estimated 1750 chess strength.
Sensory Board: Magnetic pieces and a board with unique addresses for each square to register moves easily.
Learning Tools: Includes a teaching mode, hint function, and a referee mode for two human players.
Convenience: Features a chess timer, move take-back, game-saving memory, and piece storage.
Power: Battery-operated (3 AA batteries) with long battery life.
HOW IT WORKS
Move Registration: Lightly press the piece on the "from" square, then the "to" square to register your move.
Sounds: A beep confirms valid moves, or you can disable sounds.
Game Saving: The device remembers the game state so you can resume later.
Ron Nelson reported that in 1999 he spent 9 months in developing a new 4 Bit chess program which became the foundation for many future Excalibur models as well as its continued use by Excalibur's successor EB Electronics. The first 4 Bit Model 375 Excalibur LCD Chess was launched in the year 2000. This program can also be found inside many chess computer models sold by other companies such as Radio Shack.
This 4 Bit program seems to be per Nelson's comments an even further slimmed down version of the original Nelson H8 program, compressed into this much smaller hardware and trimmed with many of the features of the original stronger H8 program removed in order to squeeze a workable chess program into the lesser ram space available on the 4 Bit hardware. This included removal of many of the more sophisticated chess routines used in stronger chess programs such as Nelson's Attack Bit Map Tables, much smaller opening books, removal of any pondering routines and excess search routines.
Nelson commented on his great interest in developing a capable program suitable for any beginning or hobby chess player and thereby finding larger outlets of distribution for the Excalibur chess products. Excalibur King Arthur - Universal Version, a very playable and capable chess program ideal for most players was one of the many creations that followed as a result of this nine month period of new program development in 1999.
Excalibur King Master III was contracted for manufacturing by Excalibur Electronics to the EWIG Industries Hong Kong Office in Kowloon which is a subsidiary of EWIG Industries Macao Commercial Offshore Limited in Macau whose electronic manufacturing factory is situated in the Guangdong Province of China.
The Excalibur KingMaster III 2 in 1 Electronic Chess & Checkers Game Set Model 911E3 is a versatile entertainment option for individuals aged 7 and above. This electronic game set combines the traditional game of chess with the strategic challenge of checkers, all in a sleek black plastic design. With a brand known for quality and a Chinese origin, this product offers hours of fun and intellectual stimulation for players of all ages.