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TABLE OF CONTENTS

QUICK START

KEYS AND FEATURES

INTRODUCTION

1. LET’S GET STARTED!

1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter

1.2 Ready to Play? Here’s How to Move!

1.3 Now It’s the Computer’s Turn

1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back!

1.5 Game Over? Why Not Play Again!

1.6 Too Easy/Hard? Change the Level!

2. MORE FEATURES TO EXPLORE

2.1 Whose Move? Check the Display!

2.2 Special Chess Moves

2.3 Illegal Moves

2.4 Check, Mate, and Draw

2.5 Interrupting the Computer’s Search

2.6 Changing Sides with the Computer

2.7 Built-In Openings

2.8 Thinking on the Opponent’s Time

2.9 Game Memory

3. THE PLAYING LEVELS

Setting a Playing Level

3.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B7)

3.2 Infinite Level (Square B8)

3.3 Tournament Levels (Squares C1-C8)

3.4 Blitz Levels (Squares D1-D8)

3.5 Fun Levels (Squares E1-E8)

3.6 Mate Search Levels (Squares F1-F8)

3.7 Training Levels (Squares G1-G8)

3.8 Self-Adaptive Weak Levels (Squares H1-H8)

4. INFO MODE: WATCH THE COMPUTER THINK!

Using Info Mode

4.1 Principal Variation

4.2 Search Information

4.3 Chess Clock Information

4.4 Move Count/Game Moves

4.5 Want a Hint? Just Ask!

5. OPTIONS FOR FUN AND VARIETY

Selecting Game Options

5.1 Operation Mode Options (Squares A1-H1)

5.2 Playing Mode Options (Squares A2-H2)

5.3 Rotating Display Options (Squares A3-H3)

5.4 Bronstein Clock Options (Square A4)

6. VERIFYING/SETTING UP POSITIONS

6.1 Verifying Positions

6.2 Changing and Setting Up Positions

7. TECHNICAL DETAILS

7.1 The ACL Function

7.2 Care and Maintenance

7.3 Technical Specifications

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

INTRODUCTION

We’d like to welcome you to the exciting world of computer

chess! Whether you’re just starting to learn about this great

game or you’re already a seasoned player, using your new

chess computer will give you the opportunity to discover so

much more about chess than you ever thought possible! Take

a look through this manual to get an overview of your

computer’s capabilities—all the special features and modes,

all the unique options and playing levels. And take advantage

of them over time, one by one! You’ll have great fun—and

you’ll never look at chess the same way again!

Your computer knows all the rules of chess—and it will

never cheat! For those of you who haven’t played before, we

have included a brief overview of the rules to get you started.

For more detailed information, why not visit your local library,

where you’re sure to find lots of interesting chess books!

1. LET’S GET STARTED!

1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter

Your computer runs on six “C” (Type AM2/R14) batteries.

Insert the batteries into the compartment in the base of the

unit, making sure to observe the correct polarity. Use fresh

alkaline batteries for longer battery life!

If you would rather not power your unit with batteries, you

may purchase an optional AC-DC adapter. Please use only

the adapter specified in Section 7.3. Using any other adapter

could damage the computer and will invalidate your warranty.

Please also read the precautionary information regarding

adapter use in Section 7.2. When using an adapter, first plug

it into a wall outlet, and then into your computer.

Important: To ensure that the computer’s memory con-

tents are not lost, keep good batteries installed in the unit

even when you are using an AC-DC adapter.

Turn the computer on by pressing GO/STOP, and a beep

will signal that the game is ready to play. If the computer fails

to respond (static discharge may cause it to lock up), use a

paper clip or another sharp object to press down into the hole

marked ACL in the base of the unit for at least one second.

This will reset the computer.

Tip: To conserve energy and extend battery life, turn on

the Auto Power Down option (see Section 5.1).

1.2 Ready to Play? Here’s How to Move!

Okay, now it’s time to start a game! It’s so easy—just follow

these steps:

a. Press GO/STOP to turn the computer on, if you haven’t

already done so.

b. Press NEW GAME to reset the computer for a new

game of chess. Set up the pieces in their starting posi-

tions, with the White pieces nearest to you, as shown in

the

Quick Start

c. To make a move, lightly press down on the piece you

want to move until you hear a beep and two board lights

turn on to indicate that square. The sensory board will

recognize your piece automatically. Don’t believe it?

Just look at the display window, which is suddenly full of

information—it shows your piece, along with the piece

color and the square you just pressed!

d. Take that piece and gently press it down on the square

to which you are moving. You’ll hear a second beep as

the computer confirms your move. That’s it—you’ve just

made your first move of the game! Next, it’s Black’s

turn—and the computer will make its first move.

You’ll notice that the computer often moves instantly at the

beginning of a game, instead of taking time to think. This is

because it is playing from memory, using a built-in “book” of

opening moves (for more information, see Section 2.7).

1.3 Now It’s the Computer’s Turn

When the computer makes its move, it beeps and turns on

two board lights indicating the square of the piece it wants to

move. It also shows its full move in the display window.

Check it out—you’ll see the from and to squares of the

computer’s move, along with the color and type of piece it is

moving.

Notice that the from square is flashing in the display.

Press the indicated piece down on the from square until you

hear a beep. The to square is now flashing in the display—

move that same piece to the indicated to square and press it

down to complete the computer’s move. And it’s your turn

again…

Take a look at “MAKING THE COMPUTER’S MOVE:

AN EXAMPLE!” for a how-to illustration!

By the way, while you’re thinking about your next move,

notice that the chess piece symbols are displayed, one by

one, counting “up” from pawn to King. This means the built-in

chess clock is in normal mode, counting your elapsed time. If

the Countdown Clock is activated, as described in Section

5.1, the displayed symbols will reverse direction. You’ll find

details on all the chess clock features in Section 4.3!

1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back!

When you’re playing chess against this computer, nothing

is “set in stone”—you can change your mind or decide to play

a different move whenever you want! When it’s your turn to

move, simply press TAKE BACK. The display shows the

Summary of content (12 pages)

PAGE 1
QUICK START KEYS AND FEATURES INTRODUCTION 1. LET’S GET STARTED! 1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter 1.2 Ready to Play? Here’s How to Move! 1.3 Now It’s the Computer’s Turn 1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back! 1.5 Game Over? Why Not Play Again! 1.6 Too Easy/Hard? Change the Level! 2. MORE FEATURES TO EXPLORE 2.1 Whose Move? Check the Display! 2.2 Special Chess Moves 2.3 Illegal Moves 2.4 Check, Mate, and Draw 2.5 Interrupting the Computer’s Search 2.6 Changing Sides with the Computer 2.
PAGE 2
move to be taken back, with the original to square flashing and indicated by board lights. Press the piece down gently on the indicated square, and the computer shows you where that piece came from by flashing that display and using board lights to point to that square. Press the piece down on the from square to complete the take-back. Repeat this as often as you’d like, taking back up to 50 individual moves (or 25 moves for each side).
PAGE 3
NEED HELP CHOOSING A LEVEL? SOME TIPS FOR YOU! • Are you a beginning player? You have lots of choices! Check out the Fun Levels, the lower Training Levels, or the Self-Adaptive Weak Levels. These levels all restrict the computer’s search depth in different ways, resulting in weaker play and giving you the chance to learn more about the game and perhaps even beat the computer occasionally! • Are you an intermediate or more advanced player? Try the Normal, Training, or Tournament Levels.
PAGE 4
USE THIS CHART TO SELECT A PLAYING LEVEL! 1. 2. LEVEL Press LEVEL to enter Level Mode. Next, select your level, using the chart below. There are two ways to do this. • Cycle through the levels until your level is displayed: Press BLACK/> to increase levels by one. Press
PAGE 5
3.3 Tournament Levels (Squares C1-C8) LEVEL TOTAL TIME / NUMBER OF MOVES DISPLAY C1 ......... 1 hr. 30 min. / 40 moves ............ 1:30;40 C2 ......... 1 hr. 45 min. / 35 moves ............ 1:45;35 C3 ......... 1 hr. 45 min. / 40 moves ............ 1:45;40 C4 ......... 1 hr. 30 min. / 35 moves ............ 1:30;35 C5 ......... 2 hrs. / 40 moves ....................... 2:00;40 C6 ......... 2 hrs. 30 min. / 45 moves .......... 2:30;45 C7 ......... 2 hrs. / 50 moves ....................... 2:00;50 C8 .....
PAGE 6
Since these Self-Adaptive Weak Levels are meant especially for beginners, however, here the computer will set its playing strength to a deliberately weakened setting of about – 350 ELO on the lowest level (H1). On the other end, Level H8 matches the player’s strength by putting the ELO difference at zero. As you play, the computer will try to keep this difference constant.
PAGE 7
PLAYING BLACK FROM THE BOTTOM? HERE’S THE POSITION! When the computer plays White from the top of the board (Section 5.1, Option G1), be sure to set up the pieces correctly! Notice that the Kings and Queens are positioned differently, and the board notation is reversed. 4.4 Move Count/Game Moves Press INFO a fourth time to show the move number in the game so far. You can then press
PAGE 8
tions. Then use the BLACK/> and
PAGE 9
ENGLISH THE BASICS OF OPTION MODE: HERE’S HOW! 1. Press OPTION repeatedly to select a Mode: x1 = OPERATION MODE (Auto...) x2 = PLAYING MODE (SEL...) x3 = ROTATING DISPLAY MODE (rd:1...) x4 = BRONSTEIN CLOCK (bron...) x5 = back to OPERATION MODE... 2. Next, select your option(s), using the chart below. There are two ways to do this. • Cycle through the options within that mode: Press BLACK/> to cycle > forward. Press
PAGE 10
When requested information is not available, the display will show a series of dashes (– – – – –). For complete descriptions of these options and details on exactly how to interpret the displays, see Section 4. IT’S EASY TO VERIFY PIECES! NEW GAME 5.4 Bronstein Clock Options (Square A4) On the Blitz and Tournament levels, you have a fixed amount of time for each game, and the remaining time decreases as you think.
PAGE 11
be handled with care. Please also note the following regarding the use of an AC-DC adapter. Warning: Use a center positive adapter with safety isolating transformer. The polarity symbols confirming its center positivity should be clearly marked on the adapter. The adapter should be regularly examined for potential hazards such as damage to the plug, cable or cord, casing or other parts. In the event of damage, the adapter should not be used. 7.
PAGE 12
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOMS The computer doesn’t react, behaves erratically, or “freezes” during a game. POSSIBLE CAUSES ACTION TO TAKE • Batteries are not installed correctly. • Reinstall the batteries, making sure to observe the correct polarity. • Batteries are weak or bad. • Replace the batteries. • Static discharge or an electrical disturbance has caused a lock-up. • Press into the hole marked ACL to reset the computer (see Section 7.1). The display is difficult to read.