Please read before using this equipment.
ˆ Contents Features ........................................................................................................... 3 Preparation ...................................................................................................... 4 Installing/Replacing Batteries ........................................................................ 4 Resetting the Computer ................................................................................ 5 Turning the Computer On/Off .......................
ˆ Features Your RadioShack E-Chess computer is one of the most versatile chess computers available. Your computer can play chess at a relative strength of 1700. The computer's many features include: 8 Teaching Modes — help you learn how to checkmate an opponent’s king. 73 Chess Play Levels — let you match the level of difficulty to your skill level. Opponent Selection — lets you play against the computer or another person, or have the computer play itself.
ˆ Preparation INSTALLING/REPLACING BATTERIES Your computer requires three AA batteries (not supplied) for power. For the best performance and longest life, we recommend RadioShack alkaline batteries. Cautions: • Use only fresh batteries of the required size and recommended type. 3. Place the batteries in the compartment as indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –) marked inside.
chemicals that can destroy electronic parts. RESETTING THE COMPUTER computer resets itself to Level 01. For more information, see “Chess Play Levels” on Page 12. To save the current game and turn off the computer, press RATING/OFF. If your computer does not work properly after you replace the batteries, insert a pointed object, such as a straightened paper clip, into the RESET hole on the front of the computer. The computer sounds a tone and &' 9>;II appears.
To continue playing the current game, press CLEAR/ON. TURNING THE SOUND ON/OFF The computer normally sounds beeps during a game and every time you press a button. Follow these steps to turn the sound on or off. 1. Press SHIFT. CEZ; appears. except error beep), ' (no key sound), or ( (all sounds on) appears. To continue playing the current game, press CLEAR/ON again. ADJUSTING THE CONTRAST 1. Press SHIFT. CEZ; appears. 2. Repeatedly press OPTIONS/ MOVE until IEKdZ appears. /UNDO 2.
horizontally or vertically, then moves 1 additional square at a right angle from its first move. At the end of its move, the knight must land on a square of a different color than the one it started from. The knight can move even if the squares it moves through are occupied. (It is the only piece that can “jump” another piece.) ¡# / (bishop) — can move any number of squares diagonally, but it cannot move through a square occupied by another piece.
2. The black pawn advances from D7 to D5. 3. The white pawn advances to D6 (one square behind the black pawn's position). The black pawn is captured by the white pawn, even though the exact square it is on is not occupied by the white pawn. • The rook that you want to move by castling has not moved from its original position. • The king is not placed in check on its current square, the square to which it is going, or a square it passes over. • The squares between the king and the rook are not occupied.
ENTERING MOVES MOVE instead of NEXT MOVE to move more quickly. Playing chess against the computer is like playing with a human opponent — you make your move, and the computer responds with its move. Making a move involves a FROM square and a TO square. The FROM square is the current location of the piece you plan to move; the TO square is where you are moving the piece. • To select a different piece after you pressed LAST MOVE or NEXT MOVE in this step, repeat Steps 1 and 2. 3.
to indicate it is your turn to move, and the game timer continues to count up. move. Then you can take over and enter moves for the computer's side and continue to play the same game. HAVING THE COMPUTER SUGGEST A MOVE SHOWING ALL LEGAL MOVES The computer can suggest moves for you during a game. The computer can show each legal move you can make during a game. To view the move the computer suggests for you, press SETUP +/HINT during your turn. The computer displays the move it suggests.
DISPLAYING GAME INFORMATION Elapsed Time Since Current Game Started The computer normally shows the elapsed time for each move during a game. Follow these steps to set the computer so it shows the elapsed time since it started the current game. 1. Press SHIFT. CEZ; EZ; appears. 2. Repeatedly press OPTIONS/ MOVE until JEj7B Ej7B appears. 3.
GAME INDICATORS Rating Checkmate When eý appears, the computer can rate the game you are playing. Whenever a checkmate situation occurs on the board, the computer sounds a beep. If you checkmated the computer, BEI; appears. If the computer checkmated you, ! and C7ýJ; C7ýJ; appear. To start another game, press SHIFT then NEW GAME/HELP. 2. Repeatedly press OPTIONS/ MOVE until M_d appears (if you won the game), .BEI; appears (if you lost the game), or :h7M appears (if you drew the game). 3.
3. Press CLEAR/ON to start the game. Level L1 is the easiest. The computer’s playing strength increases gradually up through L4. Choosing a Level Level Each level allows your computer to think for different periods of time (tournament players call these periods “time controls”). The longer your computer thinks, the better moves it makes. Generally the first four levels are for beginners while the remaining levels are for more accomplished players.
Level 14 Time Per Move Level Time Per Move L15 15 Seconds L46 1 Minute 17 Seconds L16 17 Seconds L47 1 Minute 19 Seconds L17 19 Seconds L48 1 Minute 21 Seconds L18 21 Seconds L49 1 Minute 23 Seconds L19 23 Seconds L50 1 Minute 25 Seconds L20 25 Seconds L51 1 Minute 27 Seconds L21 27 Seconds L52 1 Minute 29 Seconds L22 29 Seconds L53 1 Minute 31 Seconds L23 31 Seconds L54 1 Minute 33 Seconds L24 33 Seconds L55 1 Minute 35 Seconds L25 35 Seconds L56 1 Minute 37
find any way to checkmate an opponent. Notes: • The computer’s thinking time might vary if you select a level mode. Setting a Level Mode You can set the computer to change the way it plays within a level. In fast level mode, the computer makes more selective searches and looks more deeply into its position even if some tactical moves are missing. In random level mode, the computer randomly chooses between two good moves, letting you practice and play against different responses.
SELECTING AN OPPONENT gies so the computer can respond more rapidly during a game’s opening moves. The computer lets you select the opponent you want to play. You can play against the computer, against another person, or have the computer play itself. You can select any of the following opening books. Number Opening Book Name Note: You can select an opponent at any time. 1 Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation The computer is normally set so you play against it.
Number Opening Book Name 3. Repeatedly press NEXT PIECE or LAST PIECE until the number for the opening book you selected appears. 21 French Defense, McCutcheon Variation 22 French Defense, Tarrasch Variation 23 Queen’s Gambit, Accepted 24 Queen’s Gambit, Declined 25 Queen’s Gambit, Semi-Slav Defense 26 Queen’s Gambit, Tarrasch Defense The computer beeps if a move you make is not the correct opening move for the book you selected. To learn the correct move, press SETUP +/HINT during your turn.
You can select any of the following great games. Number Number Name 12 J. Banas vs. P. Lukacs, Trnava, 1986 Name 1 Adolf Anderssen vs. Lionel Kieseritsky, London, 1851 13 Anatoly Karpov vs. Victor Korchnoi, Moscow, 1974 2 Adolf Anderssen vs. J. Dufresne, Berlin, 1852 14 Boris Spassky vs. Tigran Petrosian, Moscow, 1969 3 Paul Morphy vs. Duke Karl & Count Isouard, Paris, 1858 15 Robert Fischer vs. Reuben Fine, New York, 1963 4 Wilhelm Steinitz vs.
Most moves start with 4 bonus points but some brilliant moves start with 8 points. If you don’t enter the correct great game move, the computer sounds an error beep and the bonus points you have accumulated reduce by half. If you lose all your bonus points, the computer shows the correct move. PLAYING MATE-INPROBLEM GAMES The computer shows you the moves from 31 mate-in-2-problem games and one mate-in-3-problem game.
3. Repeatedly press NEXT PIECE or LAST PIECE until the teaching mode you want appears. 4. Press CLEAR/ON to start the game. USING PROBLEM SETUP You can use the problem setup mode to add a piece, remove a piece, or change the position of any piece on the board. You can use the problem setup mode at any time. Removing a Piece 3. Repeatedly press NEXT PIECE, LAST PIECE, NEXT MOVE, and LAST MOVE to move the small piece icon to the square where you want to add the piece. 4.
Clearing the Board/ Placing Pieces LAST PIECE to move the piece to the square you want. You can clear all pieces from the chessboard then select and set pieces where you want them. 5. Repeatedly press SETUP +/HINT or SETUP –/LEVEL to select the piece you want to place. Note: The computer sounds an error beep if it detects some illegal settings. 6. If necessary, repeatedly press /UNDO to change the color of the piece you want to place, then press OPTIONS/MOVE to confirm the piece. 1. Press SHIFT.
CARE Problem Suggestion The computer does not make a move. Make sure the computer is not set to play itself. See “Selecting an Opponent” on Page 16. Press OPTIONS/MOVE to interrupt the computer. If you are playing at Level 73, the computer might take a long time to make a move. This is not a malfunction. Verify that a move you made was a legal move. The computer makes instant or irrational moves. Press the RESET hole to reset the computer.
ˆ Notes Notes 23
Limited Ninety-Day Warranty This product is warranted by RadioShack against manufacturing defects in material and workmanship under normal use for ninety (90) days from the date of purchase from RadioShack companyowned stores and authorized RadioShack franchisees and dealers.
