Fidelity EAS / EAG prototype

It's a version between EAS Glasgow and EAG, the program is closer to EAG than Glasgow, so I've named it a prototype of EAG in MAME, but it may as well be a prototype of a canceled product.

This board used to be owned by Peter Reckwitz. The EPROM labels have "EXP" (for experimental?) Maybe it was used in a chess computer tournament, who knows.

Quick view of similarities:
EAS G.: 510-1071A01 PCB, 4MHz CPU, 4KB RAM, 1 7seg panel
This: 510-1071B01 PCB, 5MHz CPU (but could have been overclocked by mr. Reckwitz), 16KB RAM, 1 7seg panel
EAG: 510-1071C01 PCB, 5MHz CPU, 16KB RAM, 2 7seg panels

510-1071B01 PCB was manufactured in 1985 by Fidelity Computer Products (Fidelity's company name after "Fidelity Electronics" bankrupcy and before "Fidelity International" formation)

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Right, it is somewhere between EAS and EAG, I was hesitating whether to put it under EAS or EAG.

The PCB and therefore the hardware is more similar to EAG (16KB RAM, different IRQ generation, the faster CPU). The user interface is indeed like EAS. Now that people can experiment with the program, maybe someone can make a new forum thread. Berger can share PCB photos there.

Thank you hap, Berger and Franz!
I found this new Fidelity Elite EXP very interesting.
One way to differ EAS and EAG is that the EAG program can drive 2 LED displays.
I've read that there is some strap on PCBs to change between 1 or 2 displays, and rotate the board. Can anyone confirm this?

I tried these binaries in the AVG Alabama configuration and much works.
The board seems rotated 90 degrees.
At Hard Reset F1 and F7 squares are light up, but by clearing all pieces and setting them up 90 degrees rotated, it's possible to play.

The buttons are swapped around, something like this:
- PB -> LV -LC- (Level)
- PV -> TB (Take Back)
- TM -> ST (Show Time)
- ST -> TM (Total Time)
- TB -> PV (Piece Verification). (The piece buttons are swapped as well)
- LV -> PB (Problem Mode). (The piece buttons are swapped as well)
- Option -> -SC- (Sound Control) + lights up G3, G4, H6, H7, H8
- RV -> -GC- (Game Control)
- New Game -> RV (Reverse)
- CL -> DM (Display Move)
- DM -> CL (Clear)

Fidelity EAS/EAG prototype research discussion in a new forum thread please (diskussion in neuer forum thread bitte)

** Neuer thread ist da, danke admin. **

You mean you tried EPROMs on a real EAG board and not emulation?
Yes the board will be rotated then, and buttons will act differently. And only 1 7seg panel will be active.

No, sorry hap.
I just renamed the binary files and ran them in Alabama emulation.
/Lars

What is 'Alabama emulation'??
Do you mean the engine 'feas', i.e. 'Elite A/S Challenger (original program)' in CB-Emu?

__________________
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Sorry I was unclear.
I'm been so excited for this new firmware!

"Alabama" is my short for the "Fidelity Elite Avant Garde (model 6081) - Mobile (Alabama) Master":
https://www.schach-computer.info/wik...te_Avant_Garde

I used MessNew.exe from 2024-06-20.
I extracted from (roms directory) feagp.zip and renamed them to (->):
exp_8000_6 -> eg_orange.ic9
exp_c000_5 -> eg_black.ic5
exp_e000_4 -> eg_green.ic4

Then I updated (overwriting) the (roms directory) feag.zip with these files.

After that I started MessNew.exe, and started "Fidelity Elite Avant Garde (model 6081)".
At the pop-up window complaining about "WRONG CHECKSUM" I just clicked "OK".

When the program starts the chess pieces are on the wrong place,
so I selected Board: Clear, and the Spawn to re-insert all pieces on a 90 degrees rotated board. (White pawns on G1-G8, White King on H5 e.g.)
Finally save the state (File: Save State).
Next time I start, I only need to load the saved state.
Please find an attached "state-file".

/Lars

Angehängte Dateien

Fidelity Elite Avant Garde (model 6081) State.zip (7,4 KB, 6x aufgerufen)

This EXP prototype firmware was found on a Elite Privat motherboard.

The Elite Privat/Private Line was sold in two versions:
With 1 display and with 2 displays!

See e.g.: https://www.schach-computer.info/wik...y_Elite_Privat

So my question is:
Are they using exactly the same (binary) firmware?
I've not seen any emulation of a two-display Elite Privat/Private Line,
so maybe it has never been dumped and confirmed?

If it's the same firmware there must be some HW setting that tells the program to use one or two displays!?

/Lars

Good point, Lars.

It would be interesting to find out if it is the same firmware and if not, get that version.

Elite Privat = EAS/EAG PCB + unmodified ROMs moved into that smaller box.