Kempelen

Last updated: January 17, 2026

Overview

Kempelen is a chess program developed by Hungarian programmer Attila Kovács and published by Sierra On-Line for the Commodore 64 in 1986¹²³. Named after Wolfgang von Kempelen, the 18th-century Hungarian inventor who constructed the famous chess-playing automaton known as “The Turk,” the software represents one of Sierra’s ventures into publishing strategy titles during the mid-1980s¹⁴. The program was developed by Andromeda Software and later saw international release on additional platforms including the MSX, where it was published by Pony Canyon, Inc. in Japan in 1988⁵⁶.

The commercial Commodore version was a collaborative effort, co-authored by Hungarian Grandmaster István Bilek and Tamás Révkirá, lending the program authentic chess expertise that distinguished it from purely algorithmic competitors¹². The software competed in several World Microcomputer Chess Championships throughout the late 1980s, demonstrating its capabilities against other chess programs of the era¹. While not widely remembered as a classic, Kempelen holds a special niche for nostalgic gamers who appreciate historical connections within gaming, particularly the namesake reference to one of history’s most famous chess-related curiosities⁴.

The game featured a top-down perspective with a pseudo-3D feel, animated piece movements, and multiple difficulty settings designed to accommodate players of varying skill levels⁵⁶. Its estimated playing strength of approximately 1150-1250 ELO (or 1350-1450 USCF) made it suitable for beginners and casual players looking to improve their game⁶.

Game Info

Developer: Andromeda Software²³ Designer: Attila Kovács, István Bilek, Tamás Révkirá¹² Publisher: Sierra On-Line (C64/C128/Atari ST), Pony Canyon, Inc. (MSX)²⁵ Engine: Custom 6502 Assembly⁶ Platforms: Commodore 64, Commodore 128, Atari ST, MSX¹⁵ Release Year: 1986 (C64), 1988 (MSX) Series: N/A Protagonist: N/A Sierra Lineage: Third-Party Published

Story Summary

As a chess simulation program, Kempelen does not feature a narrative story in the traditional sense. The game is purely focused on the strategic gameplay of chess, pitting players against computer-controlled artificial intelligence or allowing two human players to compete against one another⁵.

The name “Kempelen” itself carries historical significance that provides thematic context for the software. Wolfgang von Kempelen (1734-1804) was a Hungarian inventor and author who became famous for constructing “The Turk,” a chess-playing automaton that toured Europe and the Americas for decades, defeating many challengers including Benjamin Franklin and Napoleon Bonaparte¹⁴⁷. Though later revealed to be an elaborate illusion hiding a human chess master inside the cabinet, The Turk captured the public imagination regarding the possibility of mechanical intelligence⁴⁸.

The artificial intelligence within the Kempelen chess program “mimics the skills of a seasoned chess player, making it both educational and challenging for players of varying skill levels”⁴. This design philosophy reflects the spirit of its namesake, offering players the experience of competing against a seemingly intelligent opponent that operates through programmed algorithms rather than human cognition hidden within a cabinet.

Gameplay

Interface and Controls

Kempelen utilizes a top-down perspective that provides what MobyGames describes as “a 3D-feel” while maintaining clear visibility of the entire board⁵. The game presents an overhead view of the chess board with pieces rendered in a style appropriate to each platform’s graphical capabilities⁵. On the Commodore 64 version, players can control the game using a joystick connected to Port 2, though keyboard input is also available for entering moves²⁶.

The control scheme incorporates several keyboard commands for accessing different functions⁶:

• TAB + number key: Changes difficulty levels
• TAB + P: Forces the computer to play its next move immediately
• TAB + N: Starts a new game
• SPACE BAR: Displays the move list and chess clocks

The MSX version, released in 1988, primarily uses keyboard input for move entry, maintaining the same fundamental control philosophy⁵.

Structure and Progression

The game offers multiple difficulty levels to accommodate players of different skill levels. The Commodore 64 version features 10 distinct difficulty levels⁶, while the MSX version offers seven different difficulty settings⁵. These levels adjust the depth of the computer’s analysis and the time it takes to calculate moves, allowing beginners to enjoy competitive games while more experienced players can challenge themselves against stronger play.

Players can engage with the software in several modes⁵⁶:

• Human vs. Computer: The primary mode where players test their skills against the AI
• Human vs. Human: Two players can compete using the same computer as a digital chess board
• Position Analysis: Players can set up custom board positions for study

Puzzles and Mechanics

As a chess simulation, Kempelen implements the complete rules of standard chess, including all piece movements, castling, en passant captures, pawn promotion, and checkmate conditions⁵⁶. The program includes an opening library that allows it to play recognized chess openings from established theory before transitioning to calculated moves⁶.

The software includes several features designed to enhance the learning and playing experience⁶:

• Take Back Moves: Allows players to undo moves to explore different variations
• Position Setup: Enables custom board configurations for specific scenarios
• Move Information Display: Shows the computer’s analysis of positions
• Solve Mate: Can analyze positions to find checkmate sequences
• Save Game: Preserves games in progress for later continuation
• Hint Mode: Provides move suggestions to help struggling players

All pieces are animated when moved on the MSX version, adding visual polish to the gameplay experience⁵. The game includes various board designs and play options to customize the visual presentation⁵.

Reception

Contemporary Reviews

Contemporary review data for Kempelen is limited in the available research materials. The game was released during a period when chess software received significant attention from computer gaming publications, though specific magazine reviews with detailed scores have not been located in the research data.

The program did receive validation through competitive play, participating in multiple World Microcomputer Chess Championships¹. At the WMCCC 1985, Kempelen achieved a notable victory against PK83 in round 4, demonstrating its competitive capabilities against other chess programs of the era¹. The software continued competing at WMCCC events in 1986, 1988, and 1989¹.

Modern Assessment

Modern retrospective assessments of Kempelen are relatively sparse, reflecting its status as a niche product within Sierra’s catalog. The game “holds a special niche for nostalgic gamers, particularly those who appreciate historical connections within gaming”⁴.

The Spacious Mind, a website dedicated to retro chess software, conducted performance testing of the Commodore 64 version using modern emulation⁶. Their testing over 50 active games yielded the following results⁶:

• Games Played: 50
• Wins: 14
• Draws: 8
• Losses: 28
• Win Percentage: 36.00%
• Calculated ELO Rating: 1156

The site characterizes the program as “suitable for beginners and casual players” with an estimated playing strength of approximately 1150-1250 ELO (1350-1450 USCF)⁶.

Aggregate Scores:

• MobyGames (MSX): 4.0/5 (1 rating)⁵
• My Abandonware (C64): 5/5 (1 vote)³
• Lemon64: 196 page views (no rating score available)²

Development

Origins

The Kempelen chess program was created by Hungarian programmer Attila Kovács, who developed chess software for multiple processor architectures during the 1980s¹. Kovács worked on versions for both 6502-based computers (including the Commodore 64 and 128) and 68000-based systems (including the Atari ST)¹. The program emerged from the growing microcomputer chess software market of the mid-1980s, when home computers were becoming powerful enough to offer reasonably challenging chess opponents.

The decision to name the software after Wolfgang von Kempelen reflected an appreciation for chess history and provided a memorable identity that connected the digital chess program to one of the most famous chess-related inventions in history¹⁴. This naming choice gave the software cultural depth beyond its technical capabilities.

Production

Development of the commercial Commodore version involved collaboration between programmer Attila Kovács and chess experts István Bilek, a Hungarian Grandmaster, and Tamás Révkirá¹². This partnership between technical and chess expertise helped ensure the program’s opening book and positional evaluation reflected sound chess principles.

The software was developed by Andromeda Software, which also published the program in some markets alongside Sierra On-Line’s distribution¹². The programming was written entirely in 6502 Assembly language to maximize performance on the limited hardware of 8-bit computers⁶.

For the 1988 MSX version published by Pony Canyon in Japan, additional development work was credited to SCH Kadocsa Tassonyi (credited as “Kadocsa”), while Attila Kovács remained credited for the chess logic⁵.

Development Credits:¹²⁵

• Programmer/Logic: Attila Kovács
• Chess Consultant: István Bilek (Grandmaster)
• Co-Developer: Tamás Révkirá
• MSX Development: SCH Kadocsa Tassonyi

Technical Achievements

Kempelen represented a competent implementation of computer chess on 8-bit hardware, achieving playing strength that could challenge casual players while remaining accessible to beginners⁶. The program successfully competed against other chess programs at the World Microcomputer Chess Championships, indicating its algorithms were competitive with contemporary software¹.

The opening library feature allowed the program to play established chess theory during the early game, conserving computing resources for the more complex middle and endgame phases where calculation became critical⁶. The inclusion of features like take-back moves, position setup, and hint mode demonstrated a focus on creating educational value beyond simple gameplay⁶.

Technical Specifications

Commodore 64 Version:⁶

• Processor: 6502 8-bit CPU
• Clock Speed: 1.023 MHz (NTSC)
• ROM: 20 KB
• RAM: 64 KB
• Programming Language: 6502 Assembly
• File Size: 171 KB (D64 format)
• Media: 5.25” floppy disk
• Control: Joystick (Port 2), Keyboard²⁶
• Players: 1-2²
• Language: English²

MSX Version:⁵

• Minimum System: MSX 2
• Perspective: Top-down
• Visual Style: Fixed / flip-screen
• Input: Keyboard
• Features: Animated pieces, multiple board styles

Cut Content

No information regarding cut content or removed features has been documented in the available research materials.

Version History

Version	Date	Platform	Publisher	Notes
1.0	1986	Commodore 64	Sierra On-Line	Initial US release23
1.0	1986	Commodore 128	Sierra On-Line	Enhanced C64 compatibility1
1.0	1986	Atari ST	Sierra On-Line	68000 processor version1
1.0	1988	MSX	Pony Canyon, Inc.	Japanese release (ケンペレンチェス)5

Technical Issues

Playing Kempelen through modern Commodore 64 emulation “should play exactly the same as using a Commodore 64 or 128,” according to The Spacious Mind’s compatibility testing⁶. No significant bugs or compatibility issues have been documented in the available research materials.

Easter Eggs and Trivia

• Historical Namesake: The game is named after Wolfgang von Kempelen (1734-1804), the Hungarian inventor who constructed “The Turk,” a famous chess-playing automaton that toured the world for decades before being revealed as an elaborate illusion hiding a human chess master¹⁴⁷⁸.

• Tournament Competitor: Kempelen was not merely commercial software but actively competed in World Microcomputer Chess Championships in 1985, 1986, 1988, and 1989, with a documented victory against PK83 in round 4 of WMCCC 1985¹.

• Grandmaster Collaboration: The commercial version featured input from Hungarian Grandmaster István Bilek, lending genuine chess expertise to the program’s development¹.

• Multi-Architecture Development: Programmer Attila Kovács developed versions for both 6502-based computers and 68000-based systems, demonstrating expertise across multiple processor architectures¹.

• Japanese Release: The MSX version was released in Japan by Pony Canyon with the title rendered in katakana as ケンペレンチェス (Kenperen Chesu)⁵.

Voice Cast

Kempelen does not feature voice acting, as it is a chess simulation program without narrative elements or character dialogue.

Legacy

Sales and Commercial Impact

Specific sales figures for Kempelen have not been documented in the available research materials. The game represented one of Sierra On-Line’s ventures into publishing strategy titles during the mid-1980s, though the company remained primarily known for its adventure game catalog during this period.

The software achieved some recognition through its participation in competitive computer chess tournaments, competing at four World Microcomputer Chess Championships between 1985 and 1989¹⁹. This tournament presence helped establish its credibility among chess software enthusiasts of the era.¹⁰¹¹

Collections

No information regarding inclusion in compilation releases or bundled software packages has been documented for Kempelen.

Fan Projects

No fan-made remakes, modifications, or community projects related to Kempelen have been documented in the available research materials. The game’s status as abandonware has made it available for historical preservation purposes³.

Related Publications

Documentation regarding official hint books, strategy guides, or supplementary publications for Kempelen has not been located in the available research materials. As a chess program, the software likely included a standard instruction manual covering controls and features, though specific details about printed materials are not available.

Critical Perspective

Kempelen occupies an interesting position in Sierra On-Line’s publishing history as a representative of the company’s willingness to release diverse software products beyond their signature adventure games. While Sierra became synonymous with narrative-driven gaming experiences through series like King’s Quest and Space Quest, titles like Kempelen demonstrated the company’s broader interest in the computer software market during the mid-1980s.

From a historical perspective, the game reflects the state of computer chess in the mid-to-late 1980s, when 8-bit home computers were pushing the boundaries of what affordable hardware could achieve in terms of game-playing artificial intelligence⁶. The estimated ELO rating of approximately 1150-1250 represents respectable performance for consumer-grade chess software of the era, though it falls short of the master-level play that would become possible on more powerful hardware⁶.

The software’s historical connections to Wolfgang von Kempelen and the legacy of The Turk provide cultural context that elevates the program beyond mere functionality⁴. This thematic depth, combined with the involvement of Grandmaster István Bilek in development, demonstrates an attempt to create a chess program with both educational value and authentic chess credentials¹. While not widely remembered today, Kempelen serves as documentation of both Sierra’s diverse publishing catalog and the evolution of computer chess software during a formative period in gaming history.

Downloads

Purchase / Digital Stores

• Not currently available on modern digital storefronts

Download / Preservation

• My Abandonware – Commodore 64 version (78 KB)³
• Lemon64 – Commodore 64 database entry and community resources²

Technical Resources

• The Spacious Mind – Kempelen – Emulation testing and performance analysis⁶

Database Entries

• MobyGames – Kempelen Chess – MSX version information⁵
• Chess Programming Wiki – Kempelen – Technical development history¹
• Generation MSX – Kempelen Chess – MSX platform database¹²

Series Continuity

Kempelen is a standalone chess program and is not part of a larger game series. It represents Sierra On-Line’s occasional ventures into publishing strategy and simulation software during the 1980s, alongside their primary focus on adventure games.

As a chess program, Kempelen exists within the broader context of computer chess development rather than narrative game series. It competed against other chess programs of its era at World Microcomputer Chess Championships, connecting it to the competitive history of artificial intelligence in gaming¹.

References

Footnotes

1. Chess Programming Wiki – Kempelen – developer credits, tournament history, platforms, naming origin, development collaboration ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷

2. Lemon64 – Kempelen – release date, publisher, coders, technical specifications, genre classification ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵

3. My Abandonware – Kempelen – publisher, release region, file size, abandonware status ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

4. Retrogek – Kempelen Chess – historical inspiration, AI description, retrospective assessment ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹

5. MobyGames – Kempelen Chess – MSX release details, publisher, technical specs, features, ratings, credits ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰

6. The Spacious Mind – Kempelen – emulation testing, ELO rating estimates, AI analysis ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴

7. Wikipedia – Wolfgang von Kempelen – historical figure the game is named after ↩ ↩²

8. Wikipedia – The Turk – chess-playing automaton historical context ↩ ↩²

9. WMCCC 1985 – World Microcomputer Chess Championship records ↩

10. Wikidata – Kempelen Chess – structured data, identifiers ↩

11. SierraVault Game List – comprehensive Sierra games catalog ↩

12. Generation MSX – Kempelen Chess – MSX2 platform information, 1988 release ↩