Microchess

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For a chess variant called Microchess, see Minichess.
Microchess
Original author(s)Peter R. Jennings
Initial releaseDecember 18, 1976; 45 years ago (1976-12-18)
PlatformKIM-1, TRS-80, Apple II, PET, Atari 8-bit

Microchess, by Peter R. Jennings, was the first commercially successful chess program for microcomputers.[1] Originally designed for the MOS Technology KIM-1 it was released on December 18, 1976. Microchess, as small as it was in terms of program size, could still play passable chess on the KIM-1 with its 6502 microprocessor, 1 kilobyte of memory, simple hex keyboard, and seven-segment display.

Selling it at a price of US$10, Jennings refused to sell the rights of the program to Chuck Peddle (president of MOS Technology) for $1000.[2] It was the first software package to sell 50,000 copies.[3] Jennings founded Personal Software to publish Microchess to the nascent microcomputer market. Money made from Microchess and other software projects allowed Jennings, together with Dan Fylstra, to launch VisiCorp company, and underwrite the development of VisiCalc, the first spreadsheet.

Microchess was later expanded into a more fully featured program with graphics for the TRS-80, Apple II, Commodore PET and Atari 8-bit family computers. It was also licensed to Novag for its dedicated Chess Champion Mk II in 1979.[4]

Reception[]

BYTE in 1981 stated that when chess programs such as Microchess appeared, "we all laughed and proceeded to demolish them ... microcomputer chess programs had a poor reputation".[5] Tim Harding in 1985 called Microchess "dreadful".[6]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Oral History of Peter Jennings | Mastering the Game | Computer History Museum".
  2. ^ Freiberger, Paul; Swaine, Michael (1984). Fire in the Valley. Berkeley, CA. USA: Osborne/McGraw-Hill. p. 288. ISBN 0-88134-121-5.
  3. ^ "Personal Software Introduces Backgammon & Checkers Programs". Intelligent Machines Journal. January 21, 1980. p. 10. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
  4. ^ "Scisys and Novag : The Early Years". ChessComputerUK.com.
  5. ^ Martellaro, John (January 1981). "The Newest Sargon - 2.5". BYTE. pp. 208–212. Retrieved October 18, 2013.
  6. ^ Harding, T. D. (1985). Price, Jill; Levy, David N. L. (eds.). The New Chess Computer Book. Pergamon Chess Series (2nd ed.). Pergamon Press. p. 155. ISBN 9781483140322.

External links[]


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