Microchess

Microchess, by Peter R. Jennings, was the first game to be sold commercially for microcomputers.[1] Originally it was designed for the MOS Technology KIM-1, and 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.

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

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. https://www.computerhistory.org/chess/orl-4334404555680/
  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.


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