Mephisto Phoenix T - Chess Computer with 21.7 inch Chess Board

SKU: MIL924
Sale price$1,999.00 USD Regular price$2,199.00 USD
Save $200.00
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Includes:
(Item 1) 1x Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module (MIL920)
(Item 2) 1x Mephisto Phoenix T - 21.7 inch Chess Board (MIL902)
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About The Mephisto Phoenix T - Chess Computer with 21.7 inch Chess Board

Mephisto Phoenix is the most powerful personal chess computer ever made.

The Phoenix module is paired with the 21.7" tournament size luxury wooden chessboard and beautifully crafted wooden chess pieces for an immersive, natural playing experience. With lightning-fast RFID piece recognition, you can move the pieces naturally while the module takes care of the rest. Setting up custom chess positions to play and practice is easier than ever.

The Mephisto Phoenix module comes in a modern glass touch screen design with a striking wood frame that pairs perfectly with the board. Featuring both the newest computing technologies and retro engines from decades past, it is the perfect home station for chess lovers of all ages, playing strengths, and experience levels. 

Onboard WiFi means the unit can stay current with updates as they are released. The most recent update in January 2024 includes native online play through Lichess.

MEPHISTO "T" Sensor Board and Pieces

The "T" chessboard features 81 dimmable LEDs (4 per square), a touch sensitive Mephisto logo to control LED brightness directly from the board and fully automatic piece recognition with ultra-fast and reliable RFID scanning technology. This is ideal for setting up positions quickly and easily. Expert attention is given to fine tune the real wood veneer to compliment the module and pieces.  

The set includes 34 skillfully crafted solid wood chess pieces in a 3.75" American Staunton style design.  While designed specifically for use with the Mephisto Phoenix, these board and pieces are compatible with Millennium Exclusive boards and pieces.

Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module - Chess Computer - Chess-House
Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module - Chess Computer - Chess-House
Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module - Chess Computer - Chess-House

About Phoenix

The Mephisto Phoenix is a UCI based multi-engine chess computer, which provides access to huge variety in chess gaming. With Shredder Neuronal and Stockfish NNUE, you see the world’s first dedicated chess computer using most modern neuronal engine technologies.

The module in its modern design comes with a large color touch screen made from real glass. Accompanied by the well-structured touch menu system it is meant to be the perfect home station for chess lovers of all ages, all playing strengths and all experience levels.

The most powerful chess computer of all time

The Phoenix comes with 4 different Top-Class Engines on Board: Shredder 13.5, Komodo 14.1, Hiarcs 14.2 and Stockfish 15 NNUE. Starting from a very simple level, which is also suitable for absolute beginners, the system can reach a maximum performance of over 3400 ELO. In fact, there are countless options to adjust the playing strength to your individual needs. The system covers the widest playing strength range ever provided by a chess computer.

Shredder offers a highly interesting new function with its fully automatic self-adapting playing strength with ELO rating. In this way you can continuously monitor your progress and see how much you have improved through training with the computer.

The evaluation bar beside the chess board tells you at first glance how the engine rates the position. Any blunders are quickly noticed that way and you always have a sense of how well your game is going.

The optionally available engine package expands the Phoenix with 3 additional high-end engines: These include GinkGo, the well-known engine behind Fritz 18, Leela Zero - a purely neural engine with a great playing style and a real challenge for all self-players as well as Komodo Dragon 3 - Komodo's neural variant with an above-average active, sometimes risk-taking playing style and countless adjustable options for all chess players who like to experiment.

Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module - Chess Computer - Chess-House

Online chess on a new level

With the "PLAY ONLINE" game mode, the Phoenix allows you to play against other people via the LiChess servers. The direct connection of the device to LiChess ensures a fast and smooth game flow.

In addition to the standard games, it is possible to play against friends from your own friends list as well as participate in Arena and Swiss tournaments. And it's just as easy as playing against the chess programs in Phoenix – directly on your chess board.

Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module - Chess Computer - Chess-House

From then to now: The chess computer emulation.

The system is expanded with 23 classical chess computer emulations running at a high speed. Most remarkable is the “Mephisto Glasgow”, the legendary world championship program of 1984 - which runs on the MEPHISTO PHOENIX system at a speed of approx. 66 times faster than the original machine of the time.

With the speed bar you easily control the emulation speed or set it to the speed of the original chess computer, button and display layout follows the originals.

So if you've always wanted to play against the dream chess computer from your youth: Welcome!

Mephisto Phoenix Chess Computer Module - Chess Computer - Chess-House

Further sophisticated functions

Updates for the System come via WIFI directly on the unit, and if you purchase additional software in the computerchess.com webstore it is installed as easy as with the press of one button.

The machine comes with some different opening books: The standard one by Mark Uniacke provides you with more than 1,000,000 positions, all from master play. This is the biggest opening book ever provided by a dedicated chess computer.

In addition, the Phoenix is the first chess computer with integrated tablebases. Tablebases are endgame databases that work in a similar way to an opening book. They help the engines in the endgame to quickly find the right way to mate or to recognize early on how the game will end, even in very long endgames.

Phoenix is the right unit for you if you: 

  • Wish to own the most powerful dedicated chess computer ever made, building a bridge between past glory days and todays modern style of playing chess
  • Are interested in modern engine technologies, e.g. NNUE Technology and how they evaluate positions
  • Like to play with retro chess computers and to see how these programs perform on modern hardware
  • Prefer a real board to analyze games and do not want to relay on a screen only
  • Want to play online against other people as comfortably as possible.
  • Don't mind a system with a bit of a learning curve and that has advanced features that are not all explained in a manual.

 

Here are the latest tutorial videos on the Phoenix.

 

Technical details

Chess specific properties

Suitable for

all chess lovers, from children to grandmasters

Playing strength

up to over 3400 ELO

Pieces included

Yes, handmade real wood premium chess pieces with integrated RFID chip, piece felt and weights

Additional pieces

2 queens additionally included

Magnetic pieces

No

Piece compartment

Piece storage in premium packaging

Measurements of chess board

55 x 55 x 2 cm / 21.7 x 21.7 x 0.79 inches

Size per square

5.5 x 5.5 cm / 2.17 x 2.17 inches

King's height

9.5 cm / 3.75 inches

 

Hardware

Chessboard technology

ultra-fast RFID figure recognition

Display with illumination

Yes, 7” Colour TFT Touchscreen with 1024 x 600 px resolution

Processor

1.5G 64 Bit Quadcore processor

CPU clock frequency

1.5G

RAM

4 GB

Connection board computer

Standard mini-Din cable, 4 pin

 

Software

Program

Shredder 13.5, Komodo 14.1, Hiarcs 14.2, Stockfish 15 NNUE

Emulations

Package with 20 different chess computer emulations contained

Device languages

5 (DEU / ENG / FRA / NLD / SPA)

Menu system

Text-based / Graphic, All device languages

Updateable

Yes, via WIFI and USB

 

Play online

App Integration

ChessLink App for Mephisto Phoenix is integrated for direct use on LiChess.org since V4.01E / January 2024

Supported servers

lichess.org

 

Power Supply

Batteries required

No

Power supply connection

Yes, 100 - 240V 50/60 Hz Input - 9V 4A Output

Power supply included

Yes, with interchangeable attachments for EU / UK / US

 

Measurements & Weights

Dimensions chessboard

55 x 55 x 2 cm / 21.7 x 21.7 x 0.79 inches

Dimensions computer unit

7.1 x 5.12 x 3,54 inches

Length connecting cable

39.37 inches

Article weight

32 lbs

 

Model number & age recommendation

Model number

M924

Age recommended by manufacturer

10 Years & Up

 

Mephisto Phoenix Manual

Product Specs

Board Size
21.63"
Square Size
2.16"
King Height
3.0"
King Base
1.0"

Customer Reviews

Based on 10 reviews
60%
(6)
10%
(1)
30%
(3)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
W
Wayne Walker
But my box wants let me log in to play online

Need a new box

S
Stephen Hinchley
Strong

Had it for a couple of months now but not beat it yet but managed a draw it will make me up my game it is a great chess computer wouldn`t give it up now best ever had great board and piece`s still getting used to setting up the levels might be reason haven`t won a game yet arrived well packaged and 1 day early so a well done guys will know where too come again this is a second chess computer I have purchased from you

T
Trevor Adams
Its allot of fun! Perfect? no, but darn close

I admit I was hesitant because of the price. But its the kind of chess computer I've dreamed of. I'm happy to say that it lives up to my expectations. I am waiting for lichess connectivity. But the computer is great.

I knocked it down only because I feel for the price the chess pieces seemed a little cheap and light. Its a personal preference but I like heavier weighted pieces. Plus the sculpting isn't the best. In fact one of the white queens are almost deformed, leaning to the left. I'm almost tempted to try and transplant the chips into a nice house of Staunton set. But for the price you really shouldn't have too.

All in all its the best system I've played personally. I hope it only gets better with firmware updates.

M
Michael Kliber

Customer service top notch, a pleasure to do business with. Thus far the computer and board is great.

M
Mark White
Big and Bold

I purchased the Mephisto Phoenix T chess computer and have used it extensively over the last four weeks.

The board and pieces are beautiful, well-crafted and function very well. I like the large tournament board quite a bit. The board corner LEDs and piece recognition are very welcome technology. The computer and human always agree on the exact position at all times. Various chess positions are a snap to set up. I also like how the physical board position is displayed on screen and updated every move.

The Take Back function works well, but the machine doesn’t seem to have the ability to step forward through the moves again. A minor issue, but once you have taken back all the moves you want, you can then start playing from that point in the game.

The module screen has good clear resolution and I believe the information is displayed well, given the size of the screen. Compromises were obviously made, but I think well chosen. Of course, the screen is quite large relative to all previous chess computers I've owned. Consequently, it displays much more helpful info.

The documentation is fairly good and does answer a lot of questions. I’m aware that differs from most reviews. I would have written some sections a bit differently and added some clarification. At times, the choice of words could be better.

I recommend visiting the Millennium website and reading the FAQ section. That will answer questions not addressed in the Owner’s Manual. I anticipate the module software will have features added and perhaps UI enhancements in the months ahead.

If not interested in the legacy chess emulations, just ignore them. I spend most of my time on the module’s primary side, if you will, which includes multiple top chess engines, such as Shredder, and many playing options, levels and profiles. I appreciate the various pre-configured playing profiles associated with most of the chess engines, and the ability to customize any of them to my liking and saving them. A minor issue, but I would like to name each customized profile myself vice the system naming them User 1, User 2, etc.

Getting back to the emulations, if you find them fascinating, like I do, then you are left to figure out how to interact with each of them substantially on your own. Due to copyright laws, you are advised to download the online Owner’s Manual for each emulation. I try to find a manual for each category of emulation, which I believe I counted five different general types; all interesting.

The emulations interact with the board somewhat differently from one to another. I found that manuals for at least each category of emulation are available, though some I only found in a foreign language, such as Spanish or German. I used an online translator to convert them to English, which was effective but not efficient. That is, I made progress, but it was slow progress. I wish all manuals were available online in English, as the emulations are certainly a curiosity of mine.

I connected the module to my WIFI network and downloaded the latest module updates without difficulty.

Is this chess computer worth the money spent? When you consider how expensive everything is today for everyone—including manufacturers and merchants—then I would say, emphatically, Yes. I think Millennium has done a fine job.

I would not recommend it as a great “bang for the buck” model. There are many other far less expensive models to satisfy that demand. This machine was clearly created as a blue ribbon offering. and I’m delighted to own it.

I would be remiss if I didn’t point out that I had a minor concern initially. I notified Chess House of the issue, which was not their fault. Yet they quickly remedied the situation to my complete satisfaction. What can I say? Thank you for the great customer service! Keep up the good work.