Sorry, I never got around to doing part 3. I'm not sure about this machine for beginners. It plays a mean game on the medium settings but I haven't actually tried it on a lower setting. If you are a beginner and not sure whether you will stick with the game, it's a bit expensive. It depends if you can justify the cost. I must admit that the build quality of this unit is not a good as I expected for the price, but at least it is made of wood.
I have mixed feelings about Novag. I owned a novag constallation, very strong for its time but error sensative..just like the Citrine it is a very nice chessboard-computer but not very durable I think. Would love to own the Citrine tho...but I have to do some more research on DGT boards. A lot more expensive but maybe last longer, more quality....and easier to upgrade.
I have had my Novag Citrine for a week now. I love it, but i realized that my G5 square works, but is not as sensitive as the other squares, is this something to be concerned about ?
@rfaus1986 -- I'm no expert on this machine but I would say if the square works, it's OK. It may just mean that the reed switch at G5 is a little sticky or insensitive. They are sealed glass switches so it's not likely to change or get worse over time.
Thanks. Nodes are board positions in the search tree. When the machine says it has evaluated 4000 nodes, it means it has looked at 4000 possible positions that could result from making moves at the current position. How many nodes it examines depends on things like how many legal moves there are, how many moves ahead it looks ('ply'), and how much time it is allowed to use.
Many other programs are stronger than the Citrine. Its real strength is that you can sit at a table with it and play with wooden pieces. The limited playing strength is only a problem if you are a really strong player, which most people are not.
Sorry, I never got around to doing part 3. I'm not sure about this machine for beginners. It plays a mean game on the medium settings but I haven't actually tried it on a lower setting. If you are a beginner and not sure whether you will stick with the game, it's a bit expensive. It depends if you can justify the cost. I must admit that the build quality of this unit is not a good as I expected for the price, but at least it is made of wood.
trappedinthefuture 3 months ago
Where's part 3? Would you recommend this to a beginner level chess player or some cheaper model?
wrathi 3 months ago
I have mixed feelings about Novag. I owned a novag constallation, very strong for its time but error sensative..just like the Citrine it is a very nice chessboard-computer but not very durable I think. Would love to own the Citrine tho...but I have to do some more research on DGT boards. A lot more expensive but maybe last longer, more quality....and easier to upgrade.
Za7a7aZ 4 months ago
Nice clear review. Thanks.
1978ajax 8 months ago
thanks for a no nonsense review.....
TurnFullCircle 9 months ago
So do I -- lol :-)
trappedinthefuture 9 months ago
i have a bigger piece experience ;)
leech20lock 9 months ago
I have had my Novag Citrine for a week now. I love it, but i realized that my G5 square works, but is not as sensitive as the other squares, is this something to be concerned about ?
thanks
rfaus1986 10 months ago
@rfaus1986 -- I'm no expert on this machine but I would say if the square works, it's OK. It may just mean that the reed switch at G5 is a little sticky or insensitive. They are sealed glass switches so it's not likely to change or get worse over time.
trappedinthefuture 10 months ago
Thanks. Nodes are board positions in the search tree. When the machine says it has evaluated 4000 nodes, it means it has looked at 4000 possible positions that could result from making moves at the current position. How many nodes it examines depends on things like how many legal moves there are, how many moves ahead it looks ('ply'), and how much time it is allowed to use.
trappedinthefuture 1 year ago
Fantastic review - the most informative and well done I've seen so far.
Slightly off-topic but you briefly mention nodes towards the end of the video.
PLEEASEE explain to me what they are. I know it relates to searching but am still pretty much in the dark.
pacmandem 1 year ago
Many other programs are stronger than the Citrine. Its real strength is that you can sit at a table with it and play with wooden pieces. The limited playing strength is only a problem if you are a really strong player, which most people are not.
trappedinthefuture 1 year ago
the iphone version of Glaurung which is free is a lot stronger than the Novag citrine
JiggerBooWigger 1 year ago
Addendum: 'UEr' means 'Verify', not 'User Error' - DOH!
trappedinthefuture 1 year ago