DGT Centaur Invisible Circles
 

The problem with the DGT Centaur chess computer is that the illuminating LED circles that indicate the computers moved are also visible when not in use and spoil the whole appearance of the board. To eliminate this, just print a new overlay board from standard printing paper then cover with transparent self adhesive book cover film and the circles will disappears when unlit.

As I don't haven't a A2 printer, I have had to print four A4 sections of the board.

https://img.webme.com/pic/b/bryanwhi...410_103146.jpg

Stick them all together with transparent adhesive film on both sides.
You can now compare the new top board sitting on top of the original board.

https://img.webme.com/pic/b/bryanwhi...410_115243.jpg

Stick the new top board onto the original board using tiny pieces of double sided tape in each corner (smaller the better so as not to damage the original playing surface. Now you can see that the annoying unlit circles have disappeared.

https://img.webme.com/pic/b/bryanwhi...410_120505.jpg

Now check that that the LED circles are visible when you make a move which they are.

https://img.webme.com/pic/b/bryanwhi...410_121216.jpg

If I can make the unlit circles invisible then why didn't DGT??

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

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AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

DIY - nachdem man 350€ hingelegt hat?

Gut, dass das Ding nicht aus Holz ist, sonst müsstet Ihr noch das Schnitzen erlernen... :D

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hi

I managed to buy it second hand for 230 euros but couldn't live with those terrible circles.

Yes I can already carve as you can see from my Novag Citrine :p :D

https://www.schachcomputer.info/gall...original_2.jpg

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hi Bryan,
you are an real artist! :top:

Stay safe and happy Easter Regards,
Sascha

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hello Bryan,

what a Beauty. :top:

Regards
Egbert

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hi Bryan,

great work! :)

From what I understand, they've improved it in the latest models.

Lars

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hi Lars

Thank You.

Yes I know but it will be interesting to see how much the top board has been improved because this is what DGT advised me about the updated board.

Dear Bryan,
Thank you for your reply.
The circles on the square are less visible, but that doesn’t mean you see a solid white or grey square. It still looks great and works perfectly.
Best regards,
Rishma Koop | DGT
Customer Service

Only time will tell.
Stay safe.
Bryan

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

It's not a bug - it's a feature :D

The carved Citrine is a masterpiece - chapeau!

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Just like the H8 bug :p
.

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

It looks like DGT are shipping the updated Centaur with the new top board that eliminates seeing the led circles. A guy from USA has received his new Centaur this week and has provided me with the following two photos saying that.

"My Centaur board doesn't seem to have the rings as visible as with yours. They are barely visible from above, and practically invisible when viewed from a player's angle".

https://img.webme.com/pic/b/bryanwhi...board%201.jpeg[

https://img.webme.com/pic/b/bryanwhi...board%202.jpeg

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

In my opinion, after all, it still remains an ugly device, unpleasant and slippery to use, a low value but overpriced plastic toy, that does not help to improve any performance neither simulates a human play style.
Among all engines, this one is by far the worst, because it claims to be "human adaptive", but makes the most unnatural moves possible. Showing some electronic components inside, like the led circus was still one of the positive features, which made him a bit galactic.
However, I really regret my purchase.
(To play an adaptive style during the game, the Hiarcs Explorer does it better.)

AW: DTG Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hi Nisse,

Can you give examples of those unnatural moves?
As I do not own the Centaur (nor Hiarcs) , I am very curious.

Best regards,
Paul

AW: DGT Centaur Invisible Circles
 

Hi Paul

Sorry to jump onto your question to Nisse but I thought you might be interested in my quick response.

On 'Friendly' mode I have found that if Stockfish evaluates that you are behind in the early middle game it will give you a chance to catch up by making a meaningless move with its black roook on a8 moving to b8. It will then retract the move a few moves later. This has happened to me quite a few times.

On 'Challenger' mode I once missed Stockfish mating me in one. As soon as I played my move I saw mate but for some strange reason Stockfish ignored the mate and made another move. I took back both our moves then replayed mine again out of curiosity and this time Stockfish delivered mate.

On 'Expert' mode I haven't experienced any bizarre play by Stockfish only that I feel that the Centaur isn't a beginners chess computer far from it. Even on the quickest time level on 'Friendly' mode it plays quite a decent game for about 75% of the time which would give a beginner no chance.

I personally do like the design of the board especially the size but I'm glad that I only paid £200 for mine. Plastic doesn't bother me whatsoever as one of my all time favourites in my collection is the CXG Super Enterprise.

Hope this helps a little.

Bryan