Released in 1981 the Sensor Chess was Scisys’s bid for a slice of the rapidly growing tabletop press sensory market. This model was in direct competition with the Fidelity’s Chess Challenger Voice Sensory and the Novag Super Sensor IV. The Sensor Chess was released in two versions, in grey (see bottom of page) and in the plastic simulated wood finish. The chess computer is unusual in that the LEDs on each square and the keypad are located below the chessboard surface, which is translucent.

Theoretically the big advantage of the Sensor Chess was the modular capability. To their credit Scisys actually followed up on the upgrade potential by producing modules programmed by Julio Kaplan. They were called the Strong Play (2K Rom, includes hint and legal moves features), Classical Style Super Strong (4K Rom, Centre Openings) and Hypermodern Super Strong (4K Rom, Flank Openings). There is also supposedly a later 4K Super Strong module (see Wiki) which I have not seen. Confusion can occur about how many modules were released because, for instance, the Classical Style Super Strong is also called the Super Classical Style Module on the box and manual (see below).

The basic price for the Sensor Chess in Germany was a very reasonable 349 DM, less than the price of a Sensory 8 and much less than half the price of a Voice Sensory or Mark V.