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About the manufacturer Saitek Ltd.

taken from a Saitek prospectus 1990

Saitek, formerly known under the name of Scisys was formed by Erich Winkler a native of Switzerland. Saitek also manufactured several chess computers for other companies such as Novag and Tandy/Radio Shack. After purchasing Hegener & Glaser (Mephisto) in 1994, Saitek became the world’s largest manufacturer of chess computers. Through cooperation and sponsorship of Garry Kasparov which began in 1996 the additional brandname of Kasparov was added to their computers.

Saitek Timeline

  • 1978 production of their first chess computer
  • 1979 incorporation of the company Scisys (= Scientific Systems) First product manufactured = Chess Champion Super System MK III.
  • 1980 FIDE (world chess organisation) gives Scisys exclusively it’s Seal of Approval; First Bridge Computer was sold.
  • 1981 Scisys Chess Champion Mark V becomes the World Microcomputer Champion; Sales Offices are opened in London, New York and Frankfurt.
  • 1982 Junior Chess World Champion and Programmer Kaplan, Julio joins the Scisys Team.
  • 1983 a sponsorship contract is signed with the future world champion Garry Kasparov.
  • 1984 the chess computer product range is now clearly the largest sortiment available from a manufacturer in the world; established their own manufacturing plant in Hong Kong.
  • 1985 except for Germany, Scisys now has the largest market share in every country of the world with 40% - 70% in each country.
  • 1986 the product range now includes the Brandname „Kasparov“
  • 1987 Scisys is renamed to Saitek
  • 1988 SISO take control of the german distribution; New developments are the Blitzboard and LCD Chess Boards.
  • 1989 introduction of „Saitek Renaissance“ with its „Quad Lamp System“ the first of its kind in the world; the Chess Organisation Nordrhein-Westfalen gives Saitek their Seal of Approval.

Chess computers from the manufacturer Saitek

taken from a Saitek prospectus 1990

Translation of the Prospectus text

Besides the idea and design of a chess computer you need of course an established chess program in order to be successful. This is where Julio Kaplan shines together with his Saitek-Programmer-Team. He is supported by his highly qualified co-workers. In the chess world Julio Kaplan is a well known figure: 1967 Junior World Champion and since then an International Master with an ELO of 2485.




























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