Microchess
Encyclopedia
Microchess, by Peter R. Jennings, was originally a microcomputer chess
program for the MOS Technology
KIM-1
microcomputer, first released on December 18, 1976. Microchess, as small as it was in terms of program size, could still play passable chess on the KIM-1 with its 6502
microprocessor, 1 kilobyte
of memory, simple hex keyboard, and seven-segment display
.
Selling it at a price of $10 US dollars, Jennings refused to sell the rights of the program to Chuck Peddle
(president of MOS Technology) for $1000 dollars. It was the first microcomputer software package to sell 10,000 copies, almost exclusively on cassette tape. Jennings founded Personal Software to publish Microchess to the growing microcomputer market. Money made from Microchess and other software projects allowed Jennings, together with Dan Fylstra
, to launch VisiCalc
and then create the VisiCorp
company. VisiCalc
would be its greatest success.
Microchess was later expanded into a more fully featured program with graphics for the TRS-80
, Apple II
, Commodore PET
and Atari 400/800
computers. It was also licensed to Novag for its dedicated Chess Champion Mk II in 1979.
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
program for the MOS Technology
MOS Technology
MOS Technology, Inc., also known as CSG , was a semiconductor design and fabrication company based in Norristown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is most famous for its 6502 microprocessor, and various designs for Commodore International's range of home computers.-History:MOS Technology, Inc...
KIM-1
KIM-1
The KIM-1, short for Keyboard Input Monitor, was a small 6502-based single-board computer developed and produced by MOS Technology, Inc. and launched in 1976...
microcomputer, first released on December 18, 1976. Microchess, as small as it was in terms of program size, could still play passable chess on the KIM-1 with its 6502
MOS Technology 6502
The MOS Technology 6502 is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by Chuck Peddle and Bill Mensch for MOS Technology in 1975. When it was introduced, it was the least expensive full-featured microprocessor on the market by a considerable margin, costing less than one-sixth the price of...
microprocessor, 1 kilobyte
Kilobyte
The kilobyte is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information. Although the prefix kilo- means 1000, the term kilobyte and symbol KB have historically been used to refer to either 1024 bytes or 1000 bytes, dependent upon context, in the fields of computer science and information...
of memory, simple hex keyboard, and seven-segment display
Seven-segment display
A seven-segment display , or seven-segment indicator, is a form of electronic display device for displaying decimal numerals that is an alternative to the more complex dot-matrix displays...
.
Selling it at a price of $10 US dollars, Jennings refused to sell the rights of the program to Chuck Peddle
Chuck Peddle
Charles Ingerham Peddle is an American electrical engineer best known as the main designer of the MOS Technology 6502 microprocessor; the KIM-1 SBC; and its successor the Commodore PET personal computer, both based on the 6502....
(president of MOS Technology) for $1000 dollars. It was the first microcomputer software package to sell 10,000 copies, almost exclusively on cassette tape. Jennings founded Personal Software to publish Microchess to the growing microcomputer market. Money made from Microchess and other software projects allowed Jennings, together with Dan Fylstra
Dan Fylstra
Dan Fylstra is a pioneer of the software products industry. In 1975 he was a founding associate editor of BYTE Magazine. In 1978 he co-founded Personal Software. Personal Software became the distributor of a new program called VisiCalc, the first widely used computer spreadsheet...
, to launch VisiCalc
VisiCalc
VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet program available for personal computers. It is often considered the application that turned the microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a serious business tool...
and then create the VisiCorp
VisiCorp
VisiCorp was an early personal computer software publisher. Its most famous products are VisiOn and VisiCalc.It was founded in 1976 by Dan Fylstra and Peter R. Jennings as Personal Software, and first published Jennings' Microchess program for the MOS Technology KIM-1 computer, and later Commodore...
company. VisiCalc
VisiCalc
VisiCalc was the first spreadsheet program available for personal computers. It is often considered the application that turned the microcomputer from a hobby for computer enthusiasts into a serious business tool...
would be its greatest success.
Microchess was later expanded into a more fully featured program with graphics for the TRS-80
TRS-80
TRS-80 was Tandy Corporation's desktop microcomputer model line, sold through Tandy's Radio Shack stores in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The first units, ordered unseen, were delivered in November 1977, and rolled out to the stores the third week of December. The line won popularity with...
, Apple II
Apple II series
The Apple II series is a set of 8-bit home computers, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977 with the original Apple II...
, Commodore PET
Commodore PET
The Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
and Atari 400/800
Atari 8-bit family
The Atari 8-bit family is a series of 8-bit home computers manufactured from 1979 to 1992. All are based on the MOS Technology 6502 CPU and were the first home computers designed with custom coprocessor chips...
computers. It was also licensed to Novag for its dedicated Chess Champion Mk II in 1979.