''Sargon III'' is a

computer chess Computer chess includes both hardware (dedicated computers) and software capable of playing chess. Computer chess provides opportunities for players to practice even in the absence of human opponents, and also provides opportunities for analysi ...

software Software is a set of computer programs and associated software documentation, documentation and data (computing), data. This is in contrast to Computer hardware, hardware, from which the system is built and which actually performs the work. ...

. It is a sequel to ''

Sargon II Sargon II (Neo-Assyrian cuneiform: , meaning "the faithful king" or "the legitimate king") was the king of the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 722 BC to his death in battle in 705. Probably the son of Tiglath-Pileser III (745–727), Sargon is genera ...

''.

Gameplay

''Sargon III'' allots a time budget based on which level of play is chosen. It has nine levels, each of which can be played in hard or easy mode. It has an average response time of five seconds per move on the lowest level, and an unlimited amount of time on the highest level. Players can take back moves, ask for help, or force the computer's move. It features a 2-D display. It recreates 107 great chess matches for players to study.

Development

''Sargon III'' was a complete rewrite from scratch. Instead of an ''

exchange Exchange may refer to: Physics * Gas exchange is the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration. Places United States * Exchange, Indiana, an unincorporated community * ...

evaluator'', this version used a ''capture search''

algorithm In mathematics and computer science, an algorithm () is a finite sequence of rigorous instructions, typically used to solve a class of specific problems or to perform a computation. Algorithms are used as specifications for performing ...

. Also included was a

chess opening A chess opening or simply an opening is the initial stage of a chess game. It usually consists of established theory; the other phases are the middlegame and the endgame. Many opening sequences have standard names such as the " Sicilian Defens ...

repertoire. This third version was written originally for the

6502 The MOS Technology 6502 (typically pronounced "sixty-five-oh-two" or "six-five-oh-two") William Mensch and the moderator both pronounce the 6502 microprocessor as ''"sixty-five-oh-two"''. is an 8-bit microprocessor that was designed by a small te ...

assembler and was commercially published by Hayden Software in 1983. Apple contacted the Spracklens and, after a port for

68000 The Motorola 68000 (sometimes shortened to Motorola 68k or m68k and usually pronounced "sixty-eight-thousand") is a 16/32-bit complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor, introduced in 1979 by Motorola Semiconductor Products Secto ...

assembly Assembly may refer to: Organisations and meetings * Deliberative assembly, a gathering of members who use parliamentary procedure for making decisions * General assembly, an official meeting of the members of an organization or of their representa ...

, ''Sargon III'' was the first third-party executable software for the

Macintosh The Mac (known as Macintosh until 1999) is a family of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc. Macs are known for their ease of use and minimalist designs, and are popular among students, creative professionals, and software en ...

Reception

''Video'' magazine listed ''Sargon III'' third on its list of best-selling video games in February 1985, and fourth on the best-seller list in March 1985, with ''II Computing'' listing the game second on its list of top Apple II games in October–November of the same year. '' PC Magazine'' rated ''Sargon III'' 13.5 points out of 18. The reviewer criticized the "too abstractly drawn" pieces but praised the game's speed and skill, describing himself as "not a bad player" but only winning 10% of games at the lowest difficulty level. ''

Softalk ''Softalk'' () was an American magazine of the early 1980s that focused on the Apple II computer. Published from September 1980 through August 1984, it featured articles about hardware and software associated with the Apple II platform and the pe ...

'' said "Just the fact that ''Sargon III'' plays faster would be enough for many of the dedicated ''Sargon'' fans. But the extra added attractions figure to make this version irresistible." Ted Salamone for ''

Commodore Microcomputers ''Commodore Power/Play'' was one of a pair of computer magazines published by Commodore Business Machines in the United States in support of their 8-bit home computer lines of the 1980s. The other was called ''Commodore Interface'', changed to jus ...

'' said "''Sargon III'' is one of the best Commodore 64 chess programs available. It is suitable for everyone from raw recruits on up." Steve Panak for ''

ANALOG Computing ''ANALOG Computing'' (an acronym for Atari Newsletter And Lots Of Games) was an American computer magazine devoted to the Atari 8-bit family of home computers. It was published from 1981 until 1989. In addition to reviews and tutorials, ''ANAL ...

'' said "although ''Sargon III'' is an excellent program, its price makes it a best buy only for the chess enthusiast who desires a complete library." James Delson for ''

Family Computing ''Family Computing'' was a U.S. computer magazine published during the 1980s by Scholastic It covered all the major home computer platforms of the day including the Apple II, VIC-20, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit family, as well as the IBM PC and M ...

'' said "All this flexibility makes ''Sargon III'' a great and patient opponent, and a fine tutor, as well." John Krause for ''

Compute!'s Gazette ''Compute!'s Gazette'' (), stylized as ''COMPUTE!'s Gazette'', was a computer magazine of the 1980s, directed at users of Commodore's 8-bit home computers. Announced as ''The Commodore Gazette'', it was a Commodore-only daughter magazine of t ...

'' said "This sequel to the popular ''Sargon II'' chess program is an even tougher opponent and adds a smorgasbord of features." Rod Lawton for ''

ACE An ace is a playing card, die or domino with a single pip. In the standard French deck, an ace has a single suit symbol (a heart, diamond, spade, or club) located in the middle of the card, sometimes large and decorated, especially in the ca ...

'' said "''Sargon'' is easy enough to use, as versatile as any – but in terms of visual appeal is somewhere back in the Dark Ages." David Morganstein for ''

InCider Wayne Sanger Green II (September 3, 1922 – September 13, 2013) was an American publisher, writer, and consultant. Green was editor of '' CQ'' magazine before he went on to found '' 73'', ''80 Micro'', ''Byte'', ''CD Review'', ''Cold Fusion'', ...

'' said "This latest version is the most sophisticated of their efforts."

References

External links

* *
Review
in ''

GAMES A game is a structured form of play, usually undertaken for entertainment or fun, and sometimes used as an educational tool. Many games are also considered to be work (such as professional players of spectator sports or games) or art (su ...

'' magazine {{DEFAULTSORT:Sargon 03 1983 video games Amiga games Apple II games Atari 8-bit family games Atari ST games Chess software Classic Mac OS games Commodore 64 games DOS games Hayden Software games Multiplayer and single-player video games Sargon (chess) Video games developed in the United States

Gameplay

Development

Reception

Further reading

References

External links