The development of chess computers in the GDR ran in several stages from the prototype to production stage.

Background

In the VEB microelectronics "„Karl Marx "“of the collective combine microelectronics Erfurt ("„VEB radio work Erfurt "“) was examined, how the developed arrears can be reduced for the western level of the consumer goods.

The collective combine had two substantial lines:

• electronic elements
• electronic measuring instruments

The development and production of chess computers took place in the divisions of the measuring instrument work. Specialists of the element work were first assigned, the microelectronic elements comparable products produced in the work to applizieren - under it also chess computer. The chess computers were at that time present on the western market already as mass production, into which socialist countries however only isolates.

Subsidy segments of the national economy of the GDR were economically seen microelectronics, then also the consumer goods industry with microelectronic elements.

SC1

The chess computer SC1, by which about a dozen were built, was a Kleinstserie for the demonstration of the efficiency of microelectronic elements from the production of the GDR.

The housing consisted of a timber frame, which was chess field an aluminum plate, on which the chess fields were imprinted. The input of the chess moves was realized by means of a keyboard similar a pocket calculator. The expenditure of the chess moves took place with a LED display.

The program of the prototype was still no self-development.

The SC1 met a lasting agreement with for the admission a series production responsible person immediately and led to the order to develop this chess computer further immediately up to production stage too. The following emphasis for the development activity resulted:

• economical manufacturing
• Use of elements from own production
• inexpensive housing
• high performance program.

The housing of the SC1 with timber frames and the assembly with many screws would have been very cost-intensive for a quantity production. In addition the radio work did not have a manufacturing capacity for products of wood.

SC2

In order economically to produce to be able was decided to design a plastic housing. The necessary tool should develop fast and cheaply, which led to the decision to use a housing from PU. This could be simply manufactured. Thick material thickness was unfavorable, whereby also no high formative requirements could be fulfilled. But the solution was converted fast and it developed the SC2.

In the years 1981 to 1983 some hundred copies, predominantly inland, were sold by the SC2. The conception of the SC2 on fairs and the Mark research did not result in good export possibilities abroad western, which however an important task for the producers of consumer goods was in the GDR. For the inland demand the SC2 was again too expensive.

One set the export into western countries as Devisenbeschaffung as an express goal. Whereupon the chess computer for the export was developed further into western countries.

Because of the saturation of the western markets with cheap products at chess computers as a target group particularly the elevated need was defined. This required in particular a levelful housing and more fastidious chess programs.

Cm

In the radio work on it in the year 1985 a special department for the development of the chess computers and other consumer goods was created. For this department two excellent chess player with programming ability were won. For the housing organization of the chess computers and the further consumer goods the best technical designers and developer were used and two designers were adjusted. Altogether up to 28 engineers developed and skilled workers of consumer goods, among them as the most important the chess computers. Thus resources for an independent line were formed, to which also its own production plant was assigned not far by Erfurt in Plaue.

Most products on the western market were accommodated mass production and in plastic housings. With the elevated need one went out at the target group also with active chess players as potential customers, who would surely prefer a chessboard from wood. The standard size of the chessboards was thus regarded and realized under this aspect as important.

As the further goal characteristic the input was regarded directly by the figures on the respective chess field. For the input over the chessman a magnetic effect principle was selected. All chessmen were drilled out down and got small, round magnets bonded.

A problem which can be solved technically was now to get the magnetism by the 12 mm thick chessboard on the printed circuit board to the sensors there present (Hall generators). This effect could be only obtained, as into the chess field for each individual field a steel pin was let in. Afterwards the thin veneers came reciprocally on the wooden mother board with a precise technology. The inventors received patents for this solution.

The announcement of the computed chess moves took place again with LEDs on the chess fields concerned.

The housing of this chess computer was thus a fastidious timber construction also in fine-work-technical precision trained steel pins. When producer became for this a furniture production cooperative (PGH) won, which mastered an unusual challenge with the demanded

Developed high-quality, also chess computers sold abroad western: the Chess master - cm with new program, magnetic input and expenditure with LED displays.

The cm was developed further later with elements with higher operating speed under same designation, whereby the remaining characteristics remained. He was presented 1984 on fairs and sold afterwards to thousands abroad western and eastern as well as inland.

Cm dia. moon

For the advancement of the cm for the developers one gave to make additional programs fast for customers accessible. The selected technical solution for this was from the outside insertable, replaceable cartridges. To the optional scope of supply belonged ever an opening and a final game module, which could be put in underneath the keyboard.

Most important exterior distinguisher regarding the cm was an additional communication field on the top right (see illustration), which was implemented as LED display four digit. The chess program could spend using 16-Segment-Anzeigen current information here to the Spielstand and for operation.

In view to the sales abroad western the name of the cm was soundful supplemented: Cm dia. moon.

The export owed also the very attractive organization of the packing and the operating instructions of the chess computer is, at that time made of on the western market experienced designer.

The cm dia. moon became starting from 1987 at home and abroad, now also more strongly abroad western sells.

CMT

Successfully with the cm already if the elevated need was covered, the objective for the advancement went to a special, solvent clientele, which estimated also the representative effect of the game of chess. The technical designers developed a chess table, in which complete electronics was integrated. This was a world novelty, which was then converted also immediately to short evaluation of the market.

As electronics those of the cm was used. The table was a special construction with consideration of the concrete requirements. So that the function could become secured as table, the control elements were laterally insertable held, so that in the pushed in condition a normal chess table was visible. The table-leg was hollow, in order to be able to accommodate in it the mains cable. Under the desk top aluminum profiles took up the forces of the desk top and transferred these to the table-leg.

For transport the table-leg and the feet were unscrewed, so that a relatively transport-friendly size developed (the same principle that also at IKEA furniture one uses). As Umverpackung a wooden box was used, which had to secure also the shockproofness of the chess computer table in the case of transport.

By the chess table some dozen were produced and exported mostly into western countries.

Further plans

With the mass production of microelectronic elements became also lower-priced this, so that production could be considered from chess computers to reasonable prices. For this request designers became active. For a completely new chess computer a first design pattern, still without any electrical function, was manufactured. The conversion of this product was not any longer realized with the fall of the GDR.

Related links

• museum for electro-technology registered association.

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