SciSys Leonardo

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Leonardo with Maestro module [1]

SciSys Leonardo, (Kasparov Leonardo)
a dedicated chess computer by SciSys released in 1986, featuring a full sized wooden magnetic sensory board with file and rank LEDs, expandable with modules with own processors and programs. Opposed to other dedicated modular chess systems, the Leonardo already had a basic program on board - written by Julio Kaplan and Craig Barnes of Heuristic Software, running on a 6800 compatible Hitachi 6301Y controller, which was also the program of the none modular SciSys Turbo S-24K [2] .

Tournaments

SciSys Leonardo played the Aegon 1986 with two wins and a draw, and the Aegon 1987 where it drew two games out of six.

OSA

SciSys' or Saitek's Open System Architecture (OSA) implements a serial connection of the Leonardo, or its subsequent models Galileo or Renaissance to home computers or PCs. The OSA link cable converts TTL to RS-232 levels and vice versa [3] [4]. This allows to use the sensory board as move input device of chess program GUIs such as Arena [5], or the dedicated user interfaces like Gavon.

Saitek Galileo

In 1988, one year after SciSys became Saitek, the Leonardo was renamed the Galileo for copyright reasons and the machine was upgraded for faster response [6] .

Saitek Renaissance

Saitek Renaissance OSA-linked with Gavon [7]

In 1989, the Renaissance board appeared with almost the same base program and featuring LCD and 9x9 square indicator LEDs - four sorrounding each square, and analyse and autoplayer modes.

See also

Modules

Module Release Authors Processor MHz a ROM [KiB] RAM [KiB]
Saitek Analyst 1989 Julio Kaplan, Craig Barnes 65C02 4-10 A-D, D+, D++, 40-216 16
Saitek Maestro 1989 Julio Kaplan, Craig Barnes 65C02 4-10 A-D, D+, D++, 40-216 16
Saitek Brute Force 1992 Frans Morsch H8 10 32 257
Saitek Sparc [8] 1993 Kathe and Dan Spracklen SPARC 20 256 1024 - 4096

Publications

Forum Posts

External Links

Chess Computers

Leonardo

Galileo

Renaissance

OSA

Modules

Misc

Leonardo

Galileo

Renaissance

References

  1. Image of Leonardo from Chess Computer UK by Mike Watters
  2. SciSys Turbo S-24K from Schachcomputer.info Wiki (German)
  3. OSA Link Cable from Schachcomputer.info Wiki
  4. Saitek (1987). Connection Cable for Leonardo Chess Computer - The Link: Leonardo's OSA connection to computers and printers. pdf hosted by Alain Zanchetta
  5. OSA for Arena © 2009-2012 Achim Pietig, hosted by Schachcomputer.info Wiki
  6. Leonardo from Chess Computer UK by Mike Watters
  7. Gavon image courtesy Josu Bergara Ede
  8. Due to power supply issues, the Sparc module was only compatible in later or modified Renaissance boards, Saitek Renaissance Sparc from Chess Computer UK by Mike Watters

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