DGT Centaur chess computer brief review

Directly from the manufacturer.  See the exact question and response below:

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Dear Chess Fan,

Thank you for your e-mail.

The DGT Centaur adapts during the game. If you make a strong move the DGT Centaur will adapt to that depending on the playing strength. So it will adapt with every move you make.

In the link below you can read more about the DGT Centaur.

http://dgt.nl/index.php/products/chess-computers/400-dgtcentaur

At the moment we have an campaign at www.dgtshop.nl. With coupon code TEACH you will get 25 EURO (incl VAT) discount on your DGT Centaur.

I hope I informed you sufficiently, but in case of any questions we are happy to help you.

Best regards,

Rishma Koop | DGT
Customer Service

digitalgametechnology.com
+31 (0)53 430 51 95

-----Original Message-----
From: Website response <webmaster@dgtprojects.com>
Sent: zondag 10 mei 2020 20:24
To: Info | DGT <info@dgtprojects.com>
Subject: Centaur question?

You received a message from markmun99@gmail.com

Does the Centaur on friendly mode adapt based on previously played games or current game only?

Thanks!

Thanks will check if it works the way said!

I wonder why so many people are trying to sell their Centaur chess compute even at much less half price.

A shame that the forthcoming Pegasus looks to use the same pieces so probably the same poor quality stickers on the bases. I wonder if you can use clear tape to improve the bases as mine also make a sound as the adhesive moves. I also don’t like the buttons, they have a horrible cheap feeling click to them. You can use other pieces with metal foil stickers but the pieces should be better quality for the price.

DGT Pegasus official page

https://digitalgametechnology.com/products/home-use-e-boards/dgt-pegasus

It's different enough from the Centaur, so chess computer aficionados will likely keep their Centaurs and get the Pegasus as well.

Warning, if it is going to be out of use for a while, make sure to periodically check the battery and recharge if necessary.  I was moving and busy and out of action for 5 months and it no longer would start up or charge.  Still under warranty after about 19 months and Amazon is replacing it.  Now I will be more careful!   

Centaur does not recognize specific pieces.  It just assumes things were in the right place when you start a game. If things are mixed up, could be you accidentally had things set up incorrectly or moved something incorrectly.  

Silly question but after all my research I want to verify something for Centaur vs Pegasus:

I want to use my DGT board for lichess and chess.com online play. Does Centaur do this? I think not but checking before I place my order. THANKS.

I understand Pegasus doesn't support chess.com for iOS just yet, etc.

I answered by question with more searching. Apologies. Centaur is not an online board. If anyone knows different, pls say so.

Pegasus and Centaur now have a user group on chess.com for those looking for helpful info. Check it out and join if you're interested.  Some of us have both 

https://www.chess.com/club/dgt-pegasus-centaur-e-board-users

On my side I sold my Pegasus board even if the new DGT software is much more stable.

A Centaur board modification project now exists and allows playing with multiple engines (Maia, Rodent IV, CT800, Zahak...). You also can play against Lichess opponents or play famous chess games to learn GM moves.

The legacy EdNekebno project has been made by non-developers guys and the app is over-complex and over-bugged, what the French familiarly call " a gasworks '.

I created a fork in july, and the app that I built is quite stable and clean. You can now takeback moves, resume games, force computer moves, play online. Everything has been rewritten with a brand new web interface.

I suggest you give a try.

Did not try your project yet but I took a look to the Github page, hey man, you did an amazing work in a short period of time! Would love to get this kind of ressource in my project (I'm IT software project manager), I will keep an eye on your progresses and push my friend to do the update (I don't own a Centaur myself but could be a good motivation )
Congrats!

Can you provide a link to your Centaur project please?

Tried this week-end with a friend who owns a Centaur.
Smooth and user friendly, beyond my expectations, you rock man!
I definitely recommand!

Confession time: my friend was about to sell his Centaur board... That's no longer news

@Alistair_Crompton

Even if the module seems to be cool, not sure to fully understand how "El Professor" works, do you have piece of documentation somewhere?

I don't want to clutter up a chess.com thread with my questions, I suggest we go private.

Thanks for your feedback,
I suggest you go to the dedicated Discord, you'll be able to ask all the questions you have.