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'''[[Main Page|Home]] * [[Organizations]] * Saitek'''
[[FILE:Saitek_logo.png|border|right|thumb|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saitek_logo.png| Saitek Logo <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitek Saitek from Wikipedia]</ref> ]]
'''Saitek''' (from 1979 until 1987 '''SciSys-W Ltd.''', Scientific Systems),<br/>
a designer and manufacturer of consumer electronics and [[Dedicated Chess Computers|dedicated chess computers]] founded in 1979 by [[Eric Winkler]], and located in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong Hong Kong], one of two [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_administrative_region_%28People%27s_Republic_of_China%29 special administrative regions] (SARs) of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_China People's Republic of China] and at that time (until 1997) under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Hong_Kong British administration].
=Novag / SciSys=
As partner of [[Peter Auge]] and his Hong Kong based company [[Novag]], Winkler was already involved in designing and manufacturing dedicated chess computers since 1978, which became also SciSys' primary business after the Novag / SciSys split in 1979, when SciSys' first manufactured dedicated unit was the [[Chess Champion Super System III]] <ref>[http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/chess_system_iii.html Chess System III] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]</ref> , with a [[6502]] CPU and a program developed by [[Mike Johnson]] and [[David Levy]], and marketed by Novag but also as ''ChessMaster'' by SciSys.
=Philidor Software=
The early SciSys chess computers had programs developed by [[David Levy|Levy's]] and [[Kevin O’Connell|O’Connell's]] company [[Philidor Software]]. Programmers were [[Mike Johnson]], [[David Broughton]] and [[Mark Taylor]], while David Levy, also mentioned as Author or Programmer, provided computer chess expertise in search heuristics and the [[Opening Book|opening book]] <ref>[http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Levy,_David David Levy interview] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]</ref> .
=Kaplan=
After the initial success of the [[Chess Champion Mark V]] in 1981, also with a [[Philidor Software]] program by [[David Broughton]] and [[Mark Taylor]], the relationship of SciSys with Levy and O’Connell with their new company [[Intelligent Software]] was loosened, and SciSys started to cooperate with [[Julio Kaplan]]. From 1981 until 1990 Kaplan's company [[Heuristic Software]] provided most programs for SciSys and Saitek <ref>[http://hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=204&start=34 Re: list of our chess computers , let's share it] by [[Craig Barnes]], [[Computer Chess Forums|Hiarcs Forum]], October 17, 2010</ref> , starting with [[Sensor Chess|SciSys Sensor Chess]] <ref>[http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Scisys_Sensor_Chess SciSys Sensor Chess] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]</ref>. Other programmers under contract were [[Kaare Danielsen]], and in the 90s [[Dan Spracklen|Dan]] and [[Kathe Spracklen]], [[Johan de Koning]] and [[Frans Morsch]].
From 1983 SciSys also cooperated with [[Garry Kasparov]], and Kasparov became additional brand name of SciSys, and since 1987 Saitek chess computers <ref>[http://www.p4r.org.ar/biografias/kaplan.htm Interview with Julio P Kaplan], July 8, 2006 (Spanish), [http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.p4r.org.ar/biografias/kaplan.htm&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhhXNUo5sE0OEKy4T59pTmDVm-MprA translated to English] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Translate Google Translate]</ref>.
=Fall of Computer Chess Era=
In 1994 Saitek acquired [[Hegener & Glaser]] for about 7 million DM <ref>[http://www.ismenio.com/mephisto.html Hegener & Glaser (Mephisto)] from [http://www.ismenio.com/chess_computers.html ChessComputers.org]</ref> and continued their [[Mephisto]] trademark <ref>[http://www.saitek-shop.de/html/saitek_schachcomputer_mephisto.htm Saitek Schachcomputer Mephisto]</ref> . In 2007 Saitek's Branded Products division was acquired at a price of 30 million Dollar by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Catz Mad Catz] <ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/news/6182902.html Mad Catz buys Saitek - News at GameSpot]</ref>, while Winkler continued with his own company, electronics manufacturer ''Ryder Industries Ltd., Hong Kong'' <ref>[http://www.ryderems.com/about_us/introduction.html Ryder Industries - Introduction]</ref>, no longer in the chess computers business <ref>[http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_and_novag___the_early_y.html SciSys and Novag : The Early Years] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]</ref>.
=Programmers=
Professional programmers associated with SciSys and Saitek computers:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Author
! List of computers <ref>List of computers from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info Wiki] contains various manufacturer</ref>
|-
| [[Craig Barnes]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Barnes,_Craig Barnes, Craig]
|-
| [[David Broughton]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Broughton,_David Broughton, David]
|-
| [[Kaare Danielsen]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Kaare_Danielsen Danielsen, Kaare]
|-
| [[Mike Johnson]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Johnson,_Mike Johnson, Mike]
|-
| [[Julio Kaplan]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Julio_Kaplan Kaplan, Julio]
|-
| [[Johan de Koning]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Johan_de_Koning De Koning, Johan]
|-
| [[Frans Morsch]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Frans_Morsch Morsch, Frans]
|-
| [[Dan Spracklen]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Spracklen,_Dan_%26_Kathe Spracklen, Dan & Kathe]
|-
| [[Kathe Spracklen]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Spracklen,_Dan_%26_Kathe Spracklen, Dan & Kathe]
|-
| [[Mark Taylor]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Taylor,_Mark Taylor, Mark]
|}
=Selected Computers=
==Philidor Software==
* [[Chess Champion Mark IV]]
* [[Chess Champion Mark V]]
* [[Chess Champion Mark VI]]
* [[Chess Champion Pocket Chess]]
* [[Chess Champion Super System III]]
* [[Mini Chess]]
* [[Mini Chess#Graduate|Graduate Chess]]
* [[Mini Chess#Junior|Junior Chess]]
* [[SciSys X]]
==Heuristic Software==
* [[SciSys Leonardo|Leonardo]]
* [[SciSys Leonardo#Galileo|Galileo]]
* [[President Chess]]
* [[SciSys Leonardo#Renaissance|Renaissance]]
* [[Sensor Chess]]
* [[Superstar]]
* [[Turbostar]]
* [[Turbo King]]
==Kaare Danielsen==
* [[SciSys Explorer]]
* [[SciSys Explorer#Concord|SciSys Concord II]]
* [[SciSys Explorer#Companion|SciSys Companion II]]
==Frans Morsch==
* [[GK 2100]]
* [[Saitek Brute Force]]
* [[Saitek President]]
==Saitek Misc==
* [[RISC 2500]]
* [[Kasparov Sparc|Saitek Sparc]]
* [[Saitek PC Auto Chessboard]]
=Forum Posts=
* [http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.chess.computer/browse_frm/thread/f09918d6e1aa0ee6 Change in Saitek Programming] by Jerome Tarshis, [[Computer Chess Forums|rgcc]], November 14, 1996
=External Links=
* [http://www.saitek.com/ Saitek – Closer to Reality]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitek Saitek from Wikipedia]
* [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_and_novag___the_early_y.html Scisys and Novag : The Early Years] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]
* [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/chess_computers_-_the_uk_story.html Chess Computers - The UK Story] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]
* [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_chess_computers_1979-19.html SciSys Chess Computers 1979-1986] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/10261668@N05/sets/72157600922172552/ Scisys/Saitek | Photo collection] by [[Steve Blincoe|Chewbanta]]
* [http://www.spacious-mind.com/html/saitek.html Saitek Electronic Chess Computers] from [[The Spacious Mind]]
* [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/SciSys_En SciSys] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]
* [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Saitek_En Saitek] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]
* [http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Etluif/chescom/EngSAI.html Saitek and Scisys Computers] by [http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Etluif/ Tom Luif]
=References=
<references />
'''[[Organizations|Up one Level]]'''
[[FILE:Saitek_logo.png|border|right|thumb|link=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Saitek_logo.png| Saitek Logo <ref>[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitek Saitek from Wikipedia]</ref> ]]
'''Saitek''' (from 1979 until 1987 '''SciSys-W Ltd.''', Scientific Systems),<br/>
a designer and manufacturer of consumer electronics and [[Dedicated Chess Computers|dedicated chess computers]] founded in 1979 by [[Eric Winkler]], and located in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong Hong Kong], one of two [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_administrative_region_%28People%27s_Republic_of_China%29 special administrative regions] (SARs) of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Republic_of_China People's Republic of China] and at that time (until 1997) under [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Hong_Kong British administration].
=Novag / SciSys=
As partner of [[Peter Auge]] and his Hong Kong based company [[Novag]], Winkler was already involved in designing and manufacturing dedicated chess computers since 1978, which became also SciSys' primary business after the Novag / SciSys split in 1979, when SciSys' first manufactured dedicated unit was the [[Chess Champion Super System III]] <ref>[http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/chess_system_iii.html Chess System III] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]</ref> , with a [[6502]] CPU and a program developed by [[Mike Johnson]] and [[David Levy]], and marketed by Novag but also as ''ChessMaster'' by SciSys.
=Philidor Software=
The early SciSys chess computers had programs developed by [[David Levy|Levy's]] and [[Kevin O’Connell|O’Connell's]] company [[Philidor Software]]. Programmers were [[Mike Johnson]], [[David Broughton]] and [[Mark Taylor]], while David Levy, also mentioned as Author or Programmer, provided computer chess expertise in search heuristics and the [[Opening Book|opening book]] <ref>[http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Levy,_David David Levy interview] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]</ref> .
=Kaplan=
After the initial success of the [[Chess Champion Mark V]] in 1981, also with a [[Philidor Software]] program by [[David Broughton]] and [[Mark Taylor]], the relationship of SciSys with Levy and O’Connell with their new company [[Intelligent Software]] was loosened, and SciSys started to cooperate with [[Julio Kaplan]]. From 1981 until 1990 Kaplan's company [[Heuristic Software]] provided most programs for SciSys and Saitek <ref>[http://hiarcs.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=204&start=34 Re: list of our chess computers , let's share it] by [[Craig Barnes]], [[Computer Chess Forums|Hiarcs Forum]], October 17, 2010</ref> , starting with [[Sensor Chess|SciSys Sensor Chess]] <ref>[http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Scisys_Sensor_Chess SciSys Sensor Chess] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]</ref>. Other programmers under contract were [[Kaare Danielsen]], and in the 90s [[Dan Spracklen|Dan]] and [[Kathe Spracklen]], [[Johan de Koning]] and [[Frans Morsch]].
From 1983 SciSys also cooperated with [[Garry Kasparov]], and Kasparov became additional brand name of SciSys, and since 1987 Saitek chess computers <ref>[http://www.p4r.org.ar/biografias/kaplan.htm Interview with Julio P Kaplan], July 8, 2006 (Spanish), [http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=de&ie=UTF-8&sl=es&tl=en&u=http://www.p4r.org.ar/biografias/kaplan.htm&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&usg=ALkJrhhXNUo5sE0OEKy4T59pTmDVm-MprA translated to English] by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Translate Google Translate]</ref>.
=Fall of Computer Chess Era=
In 1994 Saitek acquired [[Hegener & Glaser]] for about 7 million DM <ref>[http://www.ismenio.com/mephisto.html Hegener & Glaser (Mephisto)] from [http://www.ismenio.com/chess_computers.html ChessComputers.org]</ref> and continued their [[Mephisto]] trademark <ref>[http://www.saitek-shop.de/html/saitek_schachcomputer_mephisto.htm Saitek Schachcomputer Mephisto]</ref> . In 2007 Saitek's Branded Products division was acquired at a price of 30 million Dollar by [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mad_Catz Mad Catz] <ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/news/6182902.html Mad Catz buys Saitek - News at GameSpot]</ref>, while Winkler continued with his own company, electronics manufacturer ''Ryder Industries Ltd., Hong Kong'' <ref>[http://www.ryderems.com/about_us/introduction.html Ryder Industries - Introduction]</ref>, no longer in the chess computers business <ref>[http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_and_novag___the_early_y.html SciSys and Novag : The Early Years] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]</ref>.
=Programmers=
Professional programmers associated with SciSys and Saitek computers:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Author
! List of computers <ref>List of computers from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info Wiki] contains various manufacturer</ref>
|-
| [[Craig Barnes]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Barnes,_Craig Barnes, Craig]
|-
| [[David Broughton]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Broughton,_David Broughton, David]
|-
| [[Kaare Danielsen]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Kaare_Danielsen Danielsen, Kaare]
|-
| [[Mike Johnson]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Johnson,_Mike Johnson, Mike]
|-
| [[Julio Kaplan]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Julio_Kaplan Kaplan, Julio]
|-
| [[Johan de Koning]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Johan_de_Koning De Koning, Johan]
|-
| [[Frans Morsch]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Frans_Morsch Morsch, Frans]
|-
| [[Dan Spracklen]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Spracklen,_Dan_%26_Kathe Spracklen, Dan & Kathe]
|-
| [[Kathe Spracklen]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Spracklen,_Dan_%26_Kathe Spracklen, Dan & Kathe]
|-
| [[Mark Taylor]]
| [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Taylor,_Mark Taylor, Mark]
|}
=Selected Computers=
==Philidor Software==
* [[Chess Champion Mark IV]]
* [[Chess Champion Mark V]]
* [[Chess Champion Mark VI]]
* [[Chess Champion Pocket Chess]]
* [[Chess Champion Super System III]]
* [[Mini Chess]]
* [[Mini Chess#Graduate|Graduate Chess]]
* [[Mini Chess#Junior|Junior Chess]]
* [[SciSys X]]
==Heuristic Software==
* [[SciSys Leonardo|Leonardo]]
* [[SciSys Leonardo#Galileo|Galileo]]
* [[President Chess]]
* [[SciSys Leonardo#Renaissance|Renaissance]]
* [[Sensor Chess]]
* [[Superstar]]
* [[Turbostar]]
* [[Turbo King]]
==Kaare Danielsen==
* [[SciSys Explorer]]
* [[SciSys Explorer#Concord|SciSys Concord II]]
* [[SciSys Explorer#Companion|SciSys Companion II]]
==Frans Morsch==
* [[GK 2100]]
* [[Saitek Brute Force]]
* [[Saitek President]]
==Saitek Misc==
* [[RISC 2500]]
* [[Kasparov Sparc|Saitek Sparc]]
* [[Saitek PC Auto Chessboard]]
=Forum Posts=
* [http://groups.google.com/group/rec.games.chess.computer/browse_frm/thread/f09918d6e1aa0ee6 Change in Saitek Programming] by Jerome Tarshis, [[Computer Chess Forums|rgcc]], November 14, 1996
=External Links=
* [http://www.saitek.com/ Saitek – Closer to Reality]
* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saitek Saitek from Wikipedia]
* [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_and_novag___the_early_y.html Scisys and Novag : The Early Years] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]
* [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/chess_computers_-_the_uk_story.html Chess Computers - The UK Story] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]
* [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_chess_computers_1979-19.html SciSys Chess Computers 1979-1986] from [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/index.html Chess Computer UK] by [[Mike Watters]]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/10261668@N05/sets/72157600922172552/ Scisys/Saitek | Photo collection] by [[Steve Blincoe|Chewbanta]]
* [http://www.spacious-mind.com/html/saitek.html Saitek Electronic Chess Computers] from [[The Spacious Mind]]
* [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/SciSys_En SciSys] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]
* [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Saitek_En Saitek] from [http://www.schach-computer.info/wiki/index.php/Hauptseite_En Schachcomputer.info - Wiki]
* [http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Etluif/chescom/EngSAI.html Saitek and Scisys Computers] by [http://www.xs4all.nl/%7Etluif/ Tom Luif]
=References=
<references />
'''[[Organizations|Up one Level]]'''
