It's spiked my interest, not so much with the SF engine because it seems everything uses this engine. What is of interest is the AI that learns styles of play. I can see how feeding it a database of my games that I could end up playing against an AI form of myself. This could be entertaining.

What I don't know is, after learning a style of play at what strength does it play in this style? If for example, I fed it 200 Magnus Carlson games would it play at super grand-master strength in his style or could I adjust the playing strength? No difference from being slaughtered by an accurately modeled Magnus as with an inaccurate version. However, it would be interesting to me to watch how different personalities played say, against my King Element at very strong levels, and then if I played, being able to make Magnus play at a much lower level. Although, I suspect he would still beat me!

Then again. if it learned my style of play, currently a very rusty enthusiast, could I set it to play very strongly? This doesn't make so much sense, so maybe it actually learns the playing strength based on the wins-losses and draws in the supplied games?

Apart from that, it seems to be nicely designed, and I like that the computer is integrated rather than a board using a smartphone or tablet, but that's just me.

Pondering...

Ray

Hi Ray

Take a look at https://www.certabo.com/news-welcome...-chess-engine/

Maybe this is something for you.

Lars

Thank you Lars, that is interesting. I shall certainly take a look. However, I may still consider the Evo as it's quite an intriguing device, but only after they answer some questions I've sent them.

Ray

Hi all, I weakened and pledged for a Chessnut Evo. It seems an intriguing device and think it will fit well with my small collection. I still very much like my Millennium board and TheKing/Genius element, especially TheKing, and that won't change, but the Evo will be my first venture into neuronal chess on a dedicated machine. I will surely make a post once receiving the board with my opinions of it, but so far from YouTube videos of the pre-release model, it seems to be a very nice machine with some good features. I was a little put off by it having Stockfish15 engine, not that I dislike Stockfish, but as said before, it seems that every new chess computer is Stockfish-based. However, it's very likely that other engines will become available for download or via apps. Also, it does have the Maia engine which I find of interest and LC0 which is used to create custom engines, so couldn't resist.

Ray,

I believe you won‘t regret buying the Chessnut Evo. I own a Chessnut Air and a Pro and I am quite happy with the SW/HW combination so far. Also ordered an Evo. And I am sure that over time more and more engines will get implemented as long as they are open source and people voice demand for them.

Thank you. I notice from YouTube videos that there are a few other neuronal engines that can be downloaded already, so quite excited about this machine. It will be fun and interesting playing against the MAIA engine and comparing with my other dedicated machines.