Looking for Specific Computer Feature

I used to have a Novag Star Diamond,I think that is what it was called,it gave you a rating.It might give you some ideas what is on offer here ,you can email them first as they are very helpful in answering any questions you may have.

Good luck,Robert

fritz does this, and then adjusts its playing strength to match or barely exceed yours.  it's really cool.  the exact formula it uses may not be the same formula the USCF or FIDE use to get an ELO, but it ends up being darn close.  :)

Hi Seamus,

A couple of questions.

One, WHY do you dislike playing games on a laptop?

You are correct... there are far less dedicated chess computers (hereafter abbreviated DCCs) made today than there once were.  The reason for this is probably obvious.  Today's DCCs are outdated even before production ends and the models get out the door.  Advances in both hardware and (chess) software happen almost daily.  A DDC just can't keep up.

The strength of today's DCCs pale in comparison to the strength of today's chess engines.

Another question... what is your main reason for wanting a computer that "estimates" your rating? 

No offense, but at best, this estimation would just be just that... an estimate/approximation only, and probably a poor one at that.

Ideally, if you could score 50% with a computer that had a very accurate rating, over a large number of games, your own rating could be estimated.  Otherwise, any number estimated by the computer is just a guess... a number... and one that may or may not be accurate at all.

Even playing rated games online, against other rated players, can only give an estimation.  Some websites will estimate your rating by having you solve tactial puzzles.  I laugh at all of these methods.  The only way to really know your rating is to play in rated over-the-board tournaments.

Let us know if you win your eBay bid on the one you're bidding on in Germany.  If not,we will continue to keep an eye out for you.

Probably the same reason that there are not a lot of typewriters and rotary dial phones being made.

Get yourself a good version of chess software and learn it and I suspect you will not miss Mephisto all that much after a little while.

I just searched around and I was able to find one current DCC that mentions a rating feature: the Excalibur Einstein Chess Wizard

Oh, and another option would be to get software and then use one of those USB chessboards they have to interface with it... Although the only ones I can find that don't get "total junk" reviews are the beautiful DGT wooden USB boards which are quite expensive... but I'd totally get one if I had the money to burn. :)

Updated to add:

There is also the Novag Citrine which interfaces to a PC. It's a smaller board which is still not cheap, but much less expensive than the DGT.

Excalibur Touch Chess claims to give you a rating.  I could make it work though.

I was able to get a Mephisto Milano from Holland, in very good condition, and then another from Germany, in mint condition. I will probably sell one.   Once I found ebay Germany I have gotten two Europas and a Miami.  My kids are glad. 

I have also seen a number of posts (German web sites) where posters play Milano versus other computers for the purpose of getting ratings.  It appears that the ELO function programmed by Ed Shroeder does a solid job of estimation.     Thank you for your responses.  

funny...