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| <td style="width: 110px; white-space: nowrap; padding: 4px 1em 0 0.5em; border-right: 1px solid #aaaaaa;">'''Other languages:'''</td><td style="padding: 1px 1em 0; background: #F9F9F9;">[[Novag_En|english]] | [[Novag|deutsch]]
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| <br />
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| [[Bild:novag_logo.GIF]]
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| ==The Company NOVAG==
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| together with their american programmer [[David Kittinger]] was proclaimed as a favorite for many dedicated chess computer fans after their release of the [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]] in the year [[1984]]. At the time of it’s release the [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]] was extremely strong and received a huge following because of it’s unconventional, intuitive, tactical and very human playing style.
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| Like almost all other chess computers of that time period, the program ran on an [[8-Bit]] [[6502]] CPU at 3.6 Mhz. The software program itself was 56 K and the computer could rely on an [[Eröffnungsbibliothek|opening book]] of 20.000 [[Halbzüge|half moves]], which may have been of record size for its day. It was now also possible for the first time for a user to create his own personal [[Eröffnungsbibliothek|openings library]] of approximately 2000 [[Halbzüge|half moves]]. This became an equipment standard for all '''NOVAG''' chess computers to this day. Further Highlights were the availability of connecting a [[Novag Chess Printer|printer]] as well as a chess clock to the computer. The price of the computer was approximately 800 DM and was also available in an elegant wooden board named the [[Novag Constellation Expert|Constellation Expert]].
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| Although the "[[Novag Super Constellation|Super Conny]]", as it was lovingly named by its supporters, could not compete in Computer Competitions against its [[16-Bit]] competitors from [[Mephisto]], it did however often receive great acclaim for its spectacular wins (even against humans). In the professional world the experts talked about [[David Kittinger|Kittinger’s]] famous PSH-Algorithm which allowed the program to play "intuitive" moves and piece sacrifices. It is exactly this which even today continues to make the old [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]] such an interesting and sought after machine. This is especially atractive and interessting for the amateur chess player because the [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]] can occasionally make him look good due to it’s infrequent yet also spectacular miscalculations. The author estimates a playing strength of approx. 1700 [[Elo]] ([[SSDF]] old: 1750, [[SSDF]] new: 1650).
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| '''NOVAG''' introduced the [[Novag Forte|Forte]] in [[1985]] as a replacement for the [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]]. This was followed a year later with the improved Version B. The machines were the first to have a display available for move information. The playing strength of these machines was only slightly better than the [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]] and this was probably mainly due to the tact frequency of 5 Mhz. At that time [[David Kittinger|Kittinger]] worked more and more on building positional criterias into his program, which did not neccessarily favor the people who were accustomed to the previous spectacular playing style of the [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Constellation]].
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| This tendency continued with the introduction of the [[Novag Super Forte|Super Forte A]] in [[1987]]. The B-Version of [[1989]] was tactically a Monster compared to the [[Novag Constellation Forte]] A, but positionally showed several weaknesses. In [[1990]] a new master creation of [[David Kittinger|Kittinger’s]] was launched, especially the 6 Mhz version which also played in the [[1990]] Tournaments. [[David Kittinger|Kittinger]] almost managed to crack the magic [[SSDF]] 2000 [[Elo]] barrier with his machine. It was listed as 1960 [[Elo]] (new [[SSDF]] @ 1860). From the author’s point of view this was and still is today the strongest [[8-Bit]] machine ever created and the available tournament results reconfirm this opinion.
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| What made [[David Kittinger|Kittinger’s]] C-program so special? Well, the american Programmer introduced some ground breaking program technical improvements with his so-called Selective Search functions. This allowed depending on the setup, for the machine to search deeper into the more likely and effective move positions. The program could be setup for 8 different Selective Search levels. From experience Sel 5 has established itself as the the strongest Selective Search setting, although this also has resulted in different debates and opinions from Experts.
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| The [[Novag Super Expert C|Super Expert C]] was both tactically and positionally equally strong and the spectacular PSH-moves appeared again in its play. That lovable [[Novag Super Constellation|Super Conny]] feeling of previous times was re-created (but at a higher playing standard) On the content side, the Display was positively improved when compared to the Forte-Generation and other previous '''NOVAG''' models. The new Display showed the used time for both sides and was much clearer to read. In addition to this, for the first time a PC-Serial connection was made available with the '''NOVAG''' [[Distributor-Box]]. The [[Eröffnungsbibliothek|Opening Library]] also increased to 32.000 [[Halbzüge|half moves]].
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| Even [[Dave Kittinger]] at some point accepted that the days of the [[8-Bit]] machines were over. In [[1990]] with the introduction of the [[Novag Scorpio]] (renamed because of Tradename issues to [[Novag Diablo|Diablo]]) he converted to the Motorola [[68000]] Processor. All the high expectations for his new creation were unfortunately not fullfilled. He did however finally leap past the [[SSDF]] 2000 [[Elo]] (new [[SSDF]] 1900) barrier. Optically this machine was a complete eye opener!
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| ==Novag Chess Computers==
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| *[[Novag Accord]]
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| *[[Novag Agate]]
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| *[[Novag Agate Plus]]
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| *[[Novag Allegro]]
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| *[[Novag Alto]]
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| *[[Novag Amber]]
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| *[[Novag Amethyst]]
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| *[[Novag Amethyst Plus]]
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| *[[Novag Amigo]]
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| *[[Novag Aquamarine Premier]]
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| *[[Novag Aquamarine Premier Plus]]
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| *[[Novag Aquamarine RISC II 26.6 MHz]]
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| *[[Novag Beluga]]
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| *[[Novag Carnelian]]
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| *[[Novag Carnelian II]]
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| *[[Novag Chess Champion MK I]]
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| *[[Novag Chess Champion MK II]]
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| *[[Novag Chess Champion Pocket Chess]]
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| *[[Novag Chess Champion Super System MK III]]
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| *[[Novag Chess Partner 2000]]
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| *[[Novag Chess Printer]]
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| *[[Chess Wizard IQ V]]
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| *[[Novag Citrine]]
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| *[[Novag Condor]]
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| *[[Novag Constellation|Novag Constellation (2 MHz)]]
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| *[[Novag Constellation 3.6]]
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| *[[Novag Constellation Expert]]
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| *[[Novag Constellation Forte]]
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| *[[Novag Constellation Quattro]]
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| *[[Novag Coral]]
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| *[[Novag Crystal]]
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| *[[Novag Delta 1]]
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| *[[Novag Diablo 68000]]
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| *[[Novag Diamond]]
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| *[[Novag Diamond II]]
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| *[[Novag Distributor]]
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| *[[Novag Emerald]]
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| *[[Novag Emerald Classic]]
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| *[[Novag Emerald Classic plus]]
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| *[[Novag Escort]]
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| *[[Novag Granite]]
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| *[[Novag Jade]]
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| *[[Novag Jade II]]
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| *[[Novag Jasper]]
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| *[[Novag Magnetsensor Schachbrett]]
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| *[[Novag Mentor 16]]
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| *[[Novag Micro Chess]]
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| *[[Novag Micro II]]
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| *[[Novag Micro III]]
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| *[[Novag Obsidian]]
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| *[[Novag Onyx]]
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| *[[Novag Opal]]
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| *[[Novag Opal II]]
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| *[[Novag Opal plus]]
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| *[[Novag Pearl]]
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| *[[Novag Piccolo]]
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| *[[Novag Prelude]]
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| *[[Novag Presto]]
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| *[[Novag Primo]]
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| *[[Novag Robot Adversary]]
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| *[[Novag 2Robot]]
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| *[[Novag Ruby]]
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| *[[Novag Sapphire]]
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| *[[Novag Sapphire II]]
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| *[[Novag Sapphire II de Luxe]]
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| *[[Novag Savant]]
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| *[[Novag Savant II]]
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| *[[Novag Savant Royale]]
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| *[[Novag Scorpio 68000]]
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| *[[Novag Secondo]]
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| *[[Novag Sensor Dynamic]]
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| *[[Novag Solo]]
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| *[[Novag Solo deluxe Z]]
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| *[[Novag Star Aquamarine]]
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| *[[Novag Star Beryl]]
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| *[[Novag Star Diamond]]
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| *[[Novag Star Opal]]
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| *[[Novag Star Ruby]]
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| *[[Novag Star Sapphire]]
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| *[[Novag Super Constellation]]
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| *[[Novag Super Emerald de luxe]]
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| *[[Novag Super Expert]]
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| :*[[Novag Super Expert B]]
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| :*[[Novag Super Expert C]]
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| *[[Novag Super Forte]]
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| :*[[Novag Super Forte B]]
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| :*[[Novag Super Forte C]]
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| *[[Novag Super Nova]]
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| *[[Novag Super Sensor IV]]
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| *[[Novag Super System]]
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| *[[Novag Super System III ]]
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| *[[Novag Super VIP]]
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| *[[Novag Supremo]]
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| *[[Novag Topaz]]
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| *[[Novag Touch]]
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| *[[Novag Tourmaline]]
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| *[[Novag Tourmaline Plus]]
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| *[[Novag Turquoise]]
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| *[[Novag TV-Interface]]
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| *[[Novag Universal Electronic Chess Board]]
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| *[[Novag Electronic Chess Board (Limited Edition)]]
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| *[[Novag Uno]]
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| *[[Novag VIP]]
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| *[[Novag Zircon]]
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| *[[Novag Zircon II]]
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| *[[Com2Com]]
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| ==Novag Catalogue==
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| {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" rules="all" style="float:left; clear:left; border:solid 1px #aaaaaa; border-collapse:collapse; background-color:#F9F9F9; font-size:95%; empty-cells:show"
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| ![[Novag Prospekt]]
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| ![[Novag Prospekt 1990]]
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| |----
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| |<imagemap>
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| Bild:Novag0001.jpg|250px
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| default [[Novag Prospekt]]
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| desc none
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| </imagemap>
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| |<imagemap>
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| Bild:Novag001.jpg|350px
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| default [[Novag Prospekt 1990]]
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| desc none
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| </imagemap>
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| |}
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| <br style="clear:both;" />
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| ==Weblinks==
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| * [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com/html/scisys_and_novag___the_early_y.html SciSys and Novag: The Early Years] by [http://www.chesscomputeruk.com Chess Computer UK]
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| * [http://www.spacious-mind.com/html/novag.html Novag] by [http://www.spacious-mind.com The Spacious Mind]
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| <br style="clear:both;" />
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| <table width="99%" style="clear: both; border: 1px solid #aaaaaa; border-collapse: collapse; padding: 0.2em; margin: 0; font-size: 85%; margin: 0 1px;">
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| <tr valign="top" style="background: #D8E8FF">
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| <td style="width: 25px; padding-left: 0.5em;">[[Image:World2.gif]]</td>
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| <td style="width: 110px; white-space: nowrap; padding: 4px 1em 0 0.5em; border-right: 1px solid #aaaaaa;">'''Other languages:'''</td><td style="padding: 1px 1em 0; background: #F9F9F9;">[[Novag_En|english]] | [[Novag|deutsch]]
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| </td></tr></table>
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