Excalibur Talking E-Chess Owner's Manual

Copyright Excalibur Electronics, Inc.

All rights reserved.

%106'065

Features ........................... 2

Preparation ....................... 2

Installing/Replacing

Features

Batteries ...................... .. 2

Resetting the Computer 3

Basic Chess Instructi ons .. 3

The Chess Board .......... 3

The Game Pieces .......... 4

Game Rules .................. 5

Basic Operation ................ 7

Turning the Computer

On/Off ............................ 7

Starting a New Game .... 8

Entering Moves ............. 8

Having the Computer

Suggest a Move ............ 9

Changing Colors with the

Computer ....................... 9

Undoing Moves ............. 9

Showing All

Legal Moves ................ 10

Game Indicators .......... 10

Chess Play Levels ....... 11

Sound Options ................ 18

Speech ........................ 18

('#674'5

Your Excalibur Electronics Talking E-Chess computer
is one of the most versatile chess computers available.

Your computer can play chess at a rating of 1750.

±

More of the computer's features include:

Undo

help you improve your game.

Rule Enforcement

moves like a game referee, to help beginne rs learn
the rules.

Power Off Option

without interrupting the game in progress, so you
can continue playi ng lat er.

Help

during a game.

Move Suggestion

suggest your next move, teaching you the best re­sponse to an opponent’s move.

— lets you take back the previous move, to

— the co mpute r prevents illeg al

— lets y ou tu rn o ff t he computer

— shows you all legal moves you can make

— lets you ask the computer to

.

"%#76+10"

• Use only fresh batteries
of the required size and
recommended type.

• Do not mix old and new
batteries, different types
of batteries (standard,
alkaline, or
rechargeable), or
rechargeable batteries of
different capacities.

• If you do not plan to use
the computer for a month
or more, remove the
batteries. Batteries can
leak chemicals that can
destroy electronic parts.

.

Problem Setup

— lets y ou set up sp ecial chess
problems so you can practice solving problems
published in newspapers, che ss literature, or his tory
books.

We recommend that you read these instructions
thoroughly before you use your computer.

24'2#4#6+10

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Your computer requires three AA batteries (n ot su p­plied) for power. For the best performance and
longest life, we recommend alkaline batteries.

.#

2

1. To save the current game and turn off the

#

"+/2146#06"

#

If you are replacing the
computer’s batteries, make
sure you turn off the
computer before opening
the battery compartment
cover. This saves the
current game in the
computer. Your computer
saves any games in its
memory for about 30
seconds after you remove
the batteries.

ý

R

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R

"

Dispose of old batteries
promptly and properly. Do
not burn or bury them.

±

"016'"±"

The green squares are
referred to as “black”
throughout the rest of this
manual.

computer, press

2. Use a Phi lli ps s cre wdriv er to remove the screw
from the battery com partment cove r , then lift of f
the cover.

3. Place the batteries in the compartment as
indicated by the polarity symbols (+ and –)
marked inside.

4. Replace the co ve r and s ecu re it w it h the scre w.

When the display dims, the sound becomes weak
or distorted, or the computer stops operating prop­erly, replace the batteries.

RATING/OFF

Rý

.

#

4'5'66+0)"6*'"%1/276'4

Sound Effects .............. 18

Move Announcements 19

Sound .......................... 19

Advanced

Chess Functions . ........... 20

Move Score Display .... 20

Rotating Information

Displa y ................. ....... 20

Selecting

Competition Pairs ........ 20

Ratin g s ........ .. ......... ..... 21

Using Coach ............... 22

Using Opening Books . 23

Using

Teaching Modes .......... 24

Using Problem Setup .. 25

Troubleshooting .............. 27

Care ..................... ....... 28

If your computer does not work properly after you
replace the batteries, insert a pointed object, such
as a straight ened paper c lip, into the
the front of the computer. The computer sounds a

&'ý9>;II

tone and
clears any game stored.

&'ý9>;II

&'ý9>;II&'ý9>;II

appears. Resetting the computer

ý

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Following international chess notation, the chess
board is made up of 8 vertical rows called files , and
8 horiz ontal rows called ranks.

Each file (l eft to righ t) is design ated by a letter of the
alphabet (A through H), and consists of 8 squares
alternately colored green and white.

Each rank (bottom to top) is designated by a num­ber (1 through 8), and also consists of 8 squares al­ternately colored green and white.

RESET

±

hole on

Basic Chess Instructions

3

"016'"±"

±

You can set up any pieces
you want in any legal order
with the computer’s teaching
mode (see “Using Teaching
Modes” on Page 24).

6*'")#/'"2+'%'5

There are 16 white and 16 black pieces, 32 in all.
Each color has these pieces.

Each kind of piece moves in a different way.

±

Basic Chess Instruct ions

«#/ ª

squares ver tically or horizon tally, but it cannot move
through a square occupied by another piece.

¥#/ ¤

pattern. It moves 2 squares horizontally or vertical­ly, then moves 1 addit ion al sq uare at a right angle
from its firs t move. At the end of its m ove, the kn ight
must land on a square of a different color than the
one it started from . The kni ght can mov e even i f the

(rook)

(knight)

— can move any number of

— moves in an L-shaped

squares it moves through are occupied. (It is the
only piece that can “jump” another piece.)

¡#/

diagonally, but it cannot move through a square
occupied by another piece.

(bishop)

— can move a ny numbe r of squares

4

-#/ ¨

squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally. (The
queen's moves are a combination of the rook's and
bishop's moves.) The queen can not move through a
square occupied by another piece.

(queen)

— can move any number of

£#/ ¢

horizontally, or diagonally.

§

#

directly forward, except when capturing another
piece. It captures a piece by moving diagonally for­ward 1 square, except when capturing
(See “Capturing
moves from its original position, it can move 1 or 2
squares fo rward. On subs equen t mov es, it can on ly

/ ¦

(king)

(pawn)

— can move only 1 square verti cally,

— can move only 1 (or 2) squares

En Passant

en passant

” on Page 6). When it

.

Basic Chess Instruct ions

move 1 square.
A pawn can be prom ote d to a h igh er-ra nk ing pie ce .

See “Promoting a Pawn” on Page 6.

)#/'"47.'5

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The objec t of the game is to pos iti on y our p iec es s o
your next move would capture the opponent's king,
and your opponent cannot move, protect the king,
or capture your piece. This is called checkmate.

5

Here's an example of an

en passant

The white pawn advanc­es from E4 to E5. The
black pawn is sti ll in its
original position (D7).

capture.

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Check occurs when a
player's piec e directly
threatens to capture the
opponent's king, but the
opponent can move the
king, or another piece, to
escape capture.

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To capture a piece, you move your piece into the
square occupied by the piece you are capturing,

Basic Chess Instruct ions

The black pawn advanc­es from D7 to D5.

The white pawn advanc­es to D6 (one square be­hind the black pawn’s
position). The black pawn

except when capturing an opponent's pawn

en passant

Remove the captured piece from the board.

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A pawn can capture an opponent's pa wn that has
just moved 2 squares from its original position.
Whenever your pawn in on your fifth rank, and your
opponent moves 2 spaces to the same rank adja­cent to your pawn, then you can de clare
and move to y our si xth ra nk im medi ately behin d the
pawn, then capture the pawn.

(see “Capturing

'P"2CUUCPV

'P"2CUUCPV'P"2CUUCPV

En Passant

”).

en passant

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If your pawn advances to the eighth rank, you can
promote it to a queen or another piece, even if the
queen or other piece is still on the board.

is captured by the white
pawn, even though the
exact square it is on is not
occupied by the white pawn.

6

%CUVNKPI

Castling protects the
king from a potential
check or checkmate sit­uation by hiding it be­hind a fortified position
or moving it out of im­mediate danger of
attack . You can ca stle

±

if:

• The king has not moved from his original

#

"+/2146#06"

#

If the computer is thinking, it
might not turn off when you
press RATING/OFF. If this
happens, press OPTIONS/
MOVE to force the
computer to make its move,
then press RATING/OFF.

position.

• The rook tha t you want to move by castli ng has
not moved from its original position.

• The king is not placed in check on its curre nt
square, the square to which it is going, or a
square it passes over.

• The square s between the king and the rook are
not occupied.

If a rook is on the same side of the board as the
king's square, this is called a
the rook is on the same side of the board as the
queen's square, this is called a

In castling, the king moves 2 squares in the
direction of either rook. The rook that is closest to
the king aft er the k ing has moved n ow move s t o the
square right next to and on the other side of the
king. Castling counts as 1 move.

king's side cas tle

queen's side castle

. If

.

$#5+%"12'4#6+10

6740+0)"6*'"%1/ 276'4 "1011((

Press
To save the current game and turn off the

CLEAR/ON

to turn on the computer.

"

computer, press
If you replace the batteries without saving the cur-

rent game or press
self to a new game. After that, the computer resets
itself to Level
“Chess Play Levels” on Page 11.

The computer stores all of the game positions and
any sett ings you set up.

To continue playing the current game, press

CLEAR/ON

again.

RATING/OFF

RESET

80;&0&'

80;&0&'

80;&0&'80;&0&'

. For more information, see

.

#

, the computer resets it-

Basic OperationBasic Operation

7

"*+06"

°

°

°°

If the next move you make
will capture one of your
opponent’s pieces, press

LAST MOVE instead of
NEXT MOV E. The

computer displays each
move your piece can make
that would result in the
capture of your opponent’s
piece, rather than any other
legal moves your piece can
make.

"016'"±"

±

• On the display, in­dicates it is white's turn
to move, while
indicates it is black's turn
to move.

• You cannot enter a
command before the
computer makes its
move.

• To select a different

Basic Operation

piece after you pressed

LAST MOVE or NEXT
MOVE in this step,

repeat Steps 1 and 2.

°

°

°°

56#46+0)"#"0'9")#/'

"

The computer always starts a new game with you
playing th e white pieces and your op po nen t pl ay ing
the black pieces.

To start a new game and erase any game stored in
memory, press

&'ý9>;II

&'ý9>;II

&'ý9>;II&'ý9>;II

appears and the computer announces

SHIFT

then

NEW GAME/REPEAT.

“New Game.”

'06'4+0)"/18'5

Playing chess against the computer is like playing
with a human opponent — you make your move,
and the computer resp on ds w ith its move .

Making a move involves a FROM square and a TO
square. The F ROM sq uar e is the current locati on of
the piece you plan t o mov e; the TO square is wh ere

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you are moving the piece.

1. When it is your turn to move, repeatedly press

NEXT PIECE

LAST PIECE

or
you want to move. The piece alternately
flashes on its FROM squar e and one of i ts legal
destinations.

2. If the move that appears is not the one you
want, repeatedly press

MOVE

to select other lega l moves for the piece.

±

°°°°

to select the piece

NEXT MOVE

or

LAST

• The computer might
respond instantly, so you
might not see

flash and the

game timer count up.

• If you do not want to wait
for the computer to
calculate its move, you
can press OPTIONS/
MOVE to force the
computer to make a
move.

8

3. Press

OPTIONS/MOVE

to make your
move. flashes to indicate it is the
computer’s turn , a nd the ga me ti mer counts up
while the computer plans its move.

To select a different move after you press

OPTIONS/MOVE

in this step, you must wait for

the computer to make its move, then press

/UNDO

move. Press

to take back the computer’s

/UNDO

again to take back

your previous move.

4. Once the computer has determined its move,

±

"016'"

±

"

The game timer continues
to count up while you press
SETUP +/HINT.

the piece it selects to move flashes on its
FROM square and TO square alternatively,
then stops on its TO sq uare. The computer
displays to indicate it is your turn to
move, and the game timer continues to count
up.

*#8+0)"6*'"%1/276'4"57))'56"

#"/18'

The computer can suggest moves for you during a
game.

To view the move the computer sugges ts for you,
press
displays the move it suggests. Press

MOVE

or repeatedly press
select another move and continue the game.

SETUP +/HINT

to make the move the computer suggested,

during your t urn. The co mpute r

OPTIONS/

NEXT PIECE

LAST PIECE

or

to

±

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1/276'4

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The computer is set so you play the white pieces
and it plays the black pieces. You can change col­ors with the computer so it plays the white pieces
and you play the black pieces.

To change colors before you begin a game, press

OPTIONS/MOVE

press

. To change colors during a game,

/UNDO

when it is your turn to move.

Basic OperationBasic Operation

The game tim er c oun ts u p an d flashes whil e
the computer takes back its last move. Then you
can take over and enter moves for the computer's
side and continue to play the same game.

70&1+0)"/18'5

This functi on l ets yo u ta ke back any move made by
you or the computer after the move has been com­pleted.

±

9

To undo a move, p ress
turn to move. The computer takes back its last

/UNDO

when it is your

move. Press
puter’s turn to m ove. The c omput er tak es ba ck your
previo us move.

/UNDO

again when it is the com-

5*19+0)"#..".')#."/18'5

The computer can show each legal move you can
make dur ing a game.

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

4. Press

SHIFT

OPTIONS/MOVE

ED

ED

appears.

EDED

CLEAR/ON

CeZ;ý(

CeZ;ý(

.

CeZ;ý(CeZ;ý(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

>;BF

>;BF

appears.

>;BF>;BF

NEXT PIECE

to return to the game.

LAST PIECE

or

Basic Operation

5. Repeatedly pres s
to select the piece you wan t to move .
an icon appear. The icon indicates the location
of the piece you can move legally.

6. Press
move, the n press
move.

NEXT MOVE

NEXT PIECE

LAST MOVE

or

OPTIONS/MOVE

LAST PIECE

or

<hEC

<hEC

<hEC<hEC

to select your

to make your

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Whenever a check m ate si tuat ion occu rs on t he

C7j;

board, the computer says “Che ckmate” and
appears.

C7j;

C7j;C7j;

and

10

To start another game, press

GAME/REPEAT

.

SHIFT

then

NEW

%JGEM

Whenever a check situation occurs on the board,

9>;9

9>;9

appears for a few seconds, then

9>;99>;9

!!!!

appear s

and the game timer continues to count up, indicat-

±

"016'"

±

"

You can only change the
level while it is your turn to
play.

ing that a king is in check.

&TCY

When the computer detects the conditions for a

:h7M

draw game,
a three-time repetition of position, if no pawn has
been moved, or no pieces have been captured for
50 moves.

You can ignore the draw indicator and continue the
game. If a stalemate is reached,
appears and the game is over.

:h7M

:h7M:h7M

appears.

:h7M

:h7M

:h7M:h7M

appears if there is

Ij7B;

Ij7B;

Ij7B;Ij7B;

(stalemate)

%CRVWTG

éééé

appears du ring a gam e wh en on e of your p ieces is

threatened with capture.

%*'55"2.#;".'8'.5

When you play against the computer, you can
select a level that matches your skill level. There
are six types of levels (each described under
“Choosing a Level”). Each type of level is rated
(easy),

7777

(average), or

>>>>

(hard).

±

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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 beginner levels are for beginners

;;;;

Basic OperationBasic Operation

while the remaining levels are for more
accomplished players. If you are a beginner, start
out with the beginner levels. The computer
purposely makes mistakes on thes e levels s o you
can beat the computer and learn while you play.
The beginner levels also restrict the computer's
search depth, resulting in weaker play.

11

If you are an advanced player, try the fixed time

"016'"±"

±

When you set the level,
keep in mind that the more
time the computer has to
think about its moves, the
better it plays.

levels, sudden death le vels, tournament levels, ply
levels, or mate solver levels.

±

$GIKPPGT".GXGNU

The beginner levels are designed especially for
beginning pla ye rs. R epe ated ly press

LAST PIECE

and
want the co mp uter to think about its move. You can
select any of the following levels.

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT"/QXG

80;&0&'

80;&0&'

80;&0&'80;&0&'

80;&0&(

80;&0&(

80;&0&(80;&0&(
80;&0&)

80;&0&)

80;&0&)80;&0&)
80;&0&*

80;&0&*

80;&0&*80;&0&*

to select the amount of time you

Easy 1 Second
Easy 2 Seconds
Easy 3 Seconds
Easy 4 Seconds

NEXT PIECE

Basic Operation

80;&0&+

80;&0&+

80;&0&+80;&0&+
80;&0&-

80;&0&-

80;&0&-80;&0&-

80;&0'&

80;&0'&

80;&0'&80;&0'&
80;&0'+

80;&0'+

80;&0'+80;&0'+
807&0&'

807&0&'

807&0&'807&0&'

807&0&(

807&0&(

807&0&(807&0&(
807&0&)

807&0&)

807&0&)807&0&)
807&0&*

807&0&*

807&0&*807&0&*
807&0&+

807&0&+

807&0&+807&0&+
807&0&-

807&0&-

807&0&-807&0&-

807&0'&

807&0'&

807&0'&807&0'&
807&0'+

807&0'+

807&0'+807&0'+

Easy 5 Seconds
Easy 7 Seconds
Easy 10 Seconds

Easy 15 Seconds
Average 1 Second
Average 2 Seconds
Average 3 Seconds
Average 4 Seconds
Average 5 Seconds
Average 7 Seconds
Average 10 Seconds
Average 15 Seconds

12

80>&0&'

80>&0&'

80>&0&'80>&0&'

80>&0&(

80>&0&(

80>&0&(80>&0&(
80>&0&)

80>&0&)

80>&0&)80>&0&)
80>&0&*

80>&0&*

80>&0&*80>&0&*
80>&0&+

80>&0&+

80>&0&+80>&0&+

Hard 1 Second

Hard 2 Seconds

Hard 3 Seconds

Hard 4 Seconds

Hard 5 Seconds

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT"/QXG

80>&0&-

80>&0&-

80>&0&-80>&0&-

80>&0'&

80>&0'&

80>&0'&80>&0'&

80>&0'+

80>&0'+

80>&0'+80>&0'+

Hard 7 Seconds
Hard 10 Seconds
Hard 15 Seconds

(KZGF"6KOG".GXGNU"

The fixed time levels let you control the computer's
strength by limiting the time it has to think for each
move. As the levels go up, the computer becomes
stronger — the more time you give the computer to
think, the better it plays. Repeatedly press

PIECE

you wan t the com puter to think about its move.

and

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT"/QXG

<0;&0&'

<0;&0&'

<0;&0&'<0;&0&'

LAST PIECE

Easy 1 Second

to select th e a mo unt of time

NEXT

±

<0;&0&(

<0;&0&(

<0;&0&(<0;&0&(
<0;&0&)

<0;&0&)

<0;&0&)<0;&0&)
<0;&0&+

<0;&0&+

<0;&0&+<0;&0&+

<0;&0'&

<0;&0'&

<0;&0'&<0;&0'&
<0;&0'+

<0;&0'+

<0;&0'+<0;&0'+

<0;&0(&

<0;&0(&

<0;&0(&<0;&0(&
<0;&0)&

<0;&0)&

<0;&0)&<0;&0)&
<0;&0*+

<0;&0*+

<0;&0*+<0;&0*+

<0;'0&&

<0;'0&&

<0;'0&&<0;'0&&
<0;'0)&

<0;'0)&

<0;'0)&<0;'0)&

<0;(0&&

<0;(0&&

<0;(0&&<0;(0&&
<0;(0)&

<0;(0)&

<0;(0)&<0;(0)&

Easy 2 Seconds
Easy 3 Seconds
Easy 5 Seconds
Easy 10 Seconds
Easy 15 Seconds
Easy 20 Seconds
Easy 30 Seconds
Easy 45 Seconds
Easy 1 Minute

Basic OperationBasic Operation

Easy 1 Minute 30 Seconds
Easy 2 Minutes
Easy 2 Minutes 30 Seconds

<0;)0&&

<0;)0&&

<0;)0&&<0;)0&&
<0;+0&&

<0;+0&&

<0;+0&&<0;+0&&

<0;_0d<

<0;_0d<

<0;_0d<<0;_0d<

<07&0&'

<07&0&'

<07&0&'<07&0&'

<07&0&(

<07&0&(

<07&0&(<07&0&(

Easy 3 Minutes
Easy 5 Minutes

Easy Infinite Time
Average 1 Second
Average 2 Seconds

13

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT"/QXG

<07&0&)

<07&0&)

<07&0&)<07&0&)
<07&0&+

<07&0&+

<07&0&+<07&0&+

<07&0'&

<07&0'&

<07&0'&<07&0'&
<07&0'+

<07&0'+

<07&0'+<07&0'+

<07&0(&

<07&0(&

<07&0(&<07&0(&
<07&0)&

<07&0)&

<07&0)&<07&0)&
<07&0*+

<07&0*+

<07&0*+<07&0*+

<07'0&&

<07'0&&

<07'0&&<07'0&&

<07'0)&

<07'0)&

<07'0)&<07'0)&

<07(0&&

<07(0&&

<07(0&&<07(0&&
<07(0)&

<07(0)&

<07(0)&<07(0)&
<07)0&&

<07)0&&

<07)0&&<07)0&&

Average 3 Seconds
Average 5 Seconds
Average 10 Seconds
Average 15 Seconds
Average 20 Seconds
Average 30 Seconds
Average 45 Seconds
Average 1 Minute
Average 1 Minute 30 Seconds
Average 2 Minutes
Average 2 Minutes 30 Seconds
Average 3 Minutes

Basic Operation

<07+0&&

<07+0&&

<07+0&&<07+0&&

<07_0d<

<07_0d<

<07_0d<<07_0d<

<0>&0&'

<0>&0&'

<0>&0&'<0>&0&'

<0>&0&(

<0>&0&(

<0>&0&(<0>&0&(
<0>&0&)

<0>&0&)

<0>&0&)<0>&0&)
<0>&0&+

<0>&0&+

<0>&0&+<0>&0&+

<0>&0'&

<0>&0'&

<0>&0'&<0>&0'&
<0>&0'+

<0>&0'+

<0>&0'+<0 >&0'+

<0>&0(&

<0>&0(&

<0>&0(&<0>&0(&
<0>&0)&

<0>&0)&

<0>&0)&<0>&0)&
<0>&0*+

<0>&0*+

<0>&0*+<0>&0*+

<0>'0&&

<0>'0&&

<0>'0&&<0>'0&&

Average 5 Minutes
Average Infinite Time

Hard 1 Second
Hard 2 Seconds
Hard 3 Seconds
Hard 5 Seconds
Hard 10 Seconds
Hard 15 Seconds
Hard 20 Seconds
Hard 30 Seconds
Hard 45 Seconds
Hard 1 Minute

14

<0>'0)&

<0>'0)&

<0>'0)&<0>'0)&

<0>(0&&

<0>(0&&

<0>(0&&<0>(0&&
<0>(0)&

<0>(0)&

<0>(0)&<0>(0)&
<0>)0&&

<0>)0&&

<0>)0&&<0>)0&&

Hard 1 Minute 30 Seconds
Hard 2 Minutes
Hard 2 Minut es 30 Seconds
Hard 3 Minutes

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT"/QXG

±

"016'"

±

"

When you play a sudden
death level, you receive an
extra 10 seconds each
move to compensate for the
time it takes to enter the
move.

<0>+0&&

<0>+0&&

<0>+0&&<0>+0&&

<0>_0d<

<0>_0d<

<0>_0d<<0>_0d<

Hard 5 Minutes

Hard Infinite Time

5WFFGP"&GCVJ".GXGN"

Repeatedl y pres s
select the amount of time in minutes for the entire
game. If you run ou t of time during a game, yo u lose
or forfeit the game, and

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT")COG

I0;ý0&+

I0;ý0&+

I0;ý0&+I0;ý0&+

I0;ý0'&

I0;ý0'&

I0;ý0'&I0;ý0'&
I0;ý0'+

I0;ý0'+

I0;ý0'+I0;ý0'+

I0;ý0(&

I0;ý0(&

I0;ý0(&I0;ý0(&

NEXT PIECE

<eh<j

<eh<j

<eh<j<eh<j

Easy 5 Minutes
Easy 10 Minutes
Easy 15 Minutes
Easy 20 Minutes

and

appears.

LAST PIECE

±

to

I0;ý0)&

I0;ý0)&

I0;ý0)&I0;ý0)&
I0;ý0*+

I0;ý0*+

I0;ý0*+I0;ý0*+
I0;ý0,&

I0;ý0,&

I0;ý0,&I0;ý0,&

I0;ý0/&

I0;ý0/&

I0;ý0/&I0;ý0/&

I07ý0&+

I07ý0&+

I07ý0&+I07ý0&+

I07ý0'&

I07ý0'&

I07ý0'&I07ý 0'&
I07ý0'+

I07ý0'+

I07ý0'+I07ý0'+

I07ý0(&

I07ý0(&

I07ý0(&I07ý0(&

I07ý0)&

I07ý0)&

I07ý0)&I07ý0)&

I07ý0*+

I07ý0*+

I07ý0*+I07ý0*+

I07ý0,&

I07ý0,&

I07ý0,&I07ý0,&

I07ý0/&

I07ý0/&

I07ý0/&I07ý0/&

Easy 30 Minutes
Easy 45 Minutes
Easy 60 Minutes

Easy 90 Minutes
Average 5 Minutes
Average 10 Minutes
Average 15 Minutes
Average 20 Minutes
Average 30 Minutes
Average 45 Minutes
Average 60 Minutes
Average 90 Minutes

Basic OperationBasic Operation

I0>ý0&+

I0>ý0&+

I0>ý0&+I0>ý0&+

I0>ý0'&

I0>ý0'&

I0>ý0'&I0>ý0'&

I0>ý0'+

I0>ý0'+

I0>ý0'+I0>ý0'+

I0>ý0(&

I0>ý0(&

I0>ý0(&I0>ý0(&

I0>ý0)&

I0>ý0)&

I0>ý0)&I0>ý0)&

Hard 5 Minutes

Hard 10 Minutes

Hard 15 Minutes

Hard 20 Minutes

Hard 30 Minutes

15

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT ")COG

"016'"±"

±

When you play a
tournament level, you
receive an extra 10
seconds each move to
compensate for the time it
takes to enter the move.

I0>ý0*+

I0>ý0*+

I0>ý0*+I0>ý0*+
I0>ý0,&

I0>ý0,&

I0>ý0,&I0>ý0,&
I0>ý0/&

I0>ý0/&

I0>ý0/&I0>ý0/&

Hard 45 Minutes
Hard 60 Minutes
Hard 90 Minutes

6QWTPCOGPV".GXGN

Repeatedl y pres s
select the amount of time in hours and minutes to
play the number of moves shown on the left side of
the display. If you run out of time before you play
the indicated number of moves, you lose or forfeit
the game, and

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT")COG

*&ýJ0;&0)&

*&ýJ0;&0)&

*&ýJ0;&0)&*&ýJ0;&0)&
*+ýJ0;&0*+

*+ýJ0;&0*+

*+ýJ0;&0*+*+ýJ0;&0*+

NEXT PIECE

<eh<j

<eh<j

<eh<j<eh<j

appears.

Easy 30 Minutes
Easy 45 Minutes

and

±

LAST PIECE

to

Basic Operation

*&ýJ0;'0&&

*&ýJ0;'0&&

*&ýJ0;'0&&*&ýJ0;'0&&
*&ýJ0;'0)&

*&ýJ0;'0)&

*&ýJ0;'0)&*&ýJ0;'0)&
)+ýJ0;'0)&

)+ýJ0;'0)&

)+ýJ0;'0)&)+ýJ0 ;'0 )&
*+ýJ0;'0++

*+ýJ0;'0++

*+ýJ0;'0++*+ýJ0;'0++

*&ýJ0;(0&&

*&ýJ0;(0&&

*&ýJ0;(0&&*&ýJ0;(0&&
*+ýJ0;(0(+

*+ýJ0;(0(+

*+ýJ0;(0(+*+ýJ0;(0(+
*&ýJ07&0)&

*&ýJ07&0)&

*&ýJ07&0)&*&ýJ07&0)&
*+ýJ07&0*+

*+ýJ07&0*+

*+ýJ07&0*+*+ýJ07&0*+

*&ýJ07'0&&

*&ýJ07'0&&

*&ýJ07'0&&*&ýJ07'0&&

*&ýJ07'0)&

*&ýJ07'0)&

*&ýJ07'0)&*&ýJ07'0)&
)+ýJ07'0)&

)+ýJ07'0)&

)+ýJ07'0)&)+ýJ07'0)&
*+ýJ07'0++

*+ýJ07'0++

*+ýJ07'0++*+ýJ07'0++

Easy 1 Hour
Easy 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Easy 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Easy 1 Hour 55 Minutes
Easy 2 Hours

Easy 2 Hours 25 Minutes
Average 30 Minutes
Average 45 Minutes
Average 1 Hour
Average 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Average 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Average 1 Hour 55 Minutes

16

*&ýJ07(0&&

*&ýJ07(0&&

*&ýJ07(0&&*&ýJ07(0&&
*+ýJ07(0(+

*+ýJ07(0(+

*+ýJ07(0(+*+ýJ07(0(+
*&ýJ0>&0)&

*&ýJ0>&0)&

*&ýJ0>&0)&*&ýJ0>&0)&
*+ýJ0>&0*+

*+ýJ0>&0*+

*+ýJ0>&0*+*+ýJ0>&0*+

Average 2 Hours
Average 2 Hours 25 Minutes

Hard 30 Minutes
Hard 45 Minutes

.GXGN &KHHKEWNV[ 6KOG"2GT")COG

*&ýJ0>'0&&

*&ýJ0>'0&&

*&ýJ0>'0&&*&ýJ0>'0&&

*&ýJ0>'0)&

*&ýJ0>'0)&

*&ýJ0>'0)&*&ýJ0>'0)&

)+ýJ0>'0)&

)+ýJ0>'0)&

)+ýJ0>'0)&)+ýJ0>'0)&
*+ýJ0>'0++

*+ýJ0>'0++

*+ýJ0>'0++*+ýJ0>'0++

*&ýJ0>(0&&

*&ýJ0>(0&&

*&ýJ0>(0&&*&ýJ0>(0&&
*+ýJ0>(0(+

*+ýJ0>(0(+

*+ýJ0>(0(+*+ýJ0>(0(+

Hard 1 Hour
Hard 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Hard 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Hard 1 Hour 55 Minutes
Hard 2 Hours
Hard 2 Hours 25 Minutes

2N[".GXGN

Repeatedl y pres s
select the depth of search (from 1 to 8 ply). The
higher the search depth, the more time the
computer has to calculate its moves. A ply is one
half move.

NEXT PIECE

.GXGN

and

LAST PIECE

to

FBOý'

FBOý'

FBOý'FBOý'

FBOý(

FBOý(

FBOý(FBOý(

FBOý)

FBOý)

FBOý)FBOý)

FBOý*

FBOý*

FBOý*FBOý*

FBOý+

FBOý+

FBOý+FBOý+

FBOý,

FBOý,

FBOý,FBOý,

FBOý-

FBOý-

FBOý-FBOý-

FBOý.

FBOý.

FBOý.FBOý.

/CVG"5QNXGT".GXGN

Repeatedl y pres s
select the number of moves to mate that the
computer will search.
found.

NEXT PIECE

dEd;

dEd;

appears if no mate is

dEd;dEd;

and

LAST PIECE

Basic OperationBasic Operation

to

.GXGN

C7j;ý'

C7j;ý'

C7j;ý'C7j;ý'

C7j;ý(

C7j;ý(

C7j;ý(C7j;ý(

17

Sound Options

.GXGN

C7j;ý)

C7j;ý)

C7j;ý)C7j;ý)
C7j;ý*

C7j;ý*

C7j;ý*C7j;ý*
C7j;ý+

C7j;ý+

C7j;ý+C7j;ý+
C7j;ý,

C7j;ý,

C7j;ý,C7j;ý,
C7j;ý-

C7j;ý-

C7j;ý-C7j;ý­C7j;ý.

C7j;ý.

C7j;ý.C7j;ý.

%JCPIKPI"VJG".GXGN

To change the currently selected level, press

SETUP-/LEVEL
LAST PIECE

repeatedly press
advance or go back to the next level type. Then
repeatedly press

7777

(average), or

, repeatedly press

to advance or go back one level then

NEXT MOVE

OPTIONS

>>>>

(hard) for the level you selected.

to select

NEXT PIECE

LAST MOVE

or

;;;;

(easy),

or

to

5170&"126+105

52''%*

You can set the computer so it speaks only during
important game events (such as “Check”).

1. Press

2. Press

SHIFT

OPTIONS/MOVE

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

appears.

then repeatedly press

18

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s

Ed

until

4. Press

Ed

disappears.

EdEd

CLEAR/ON

until

IF;9>

IF;9>

IF;9>IF;9>

LAST PIECE

to return to the game.

appears.

or

NEXT PIECE

5170&"'(('%65

You can turn t he c ompu t er’ s sou nd e ffec ts on or off.

1. Press

SHIFT

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

appears.

2. Press

OPTIONS/MOVE

then repeatedly press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s

Ed

until

4. Press

Ed

disappears.

EdEd

CLEAR/ON

until

IdZ;<

IdZ;<

IdZ;<IdZ;<

to return to the game.

appears.

LAST PIECE

NEXT PIECE

or

/18'"#00170%'/'065

You can set the computer so it does not announce
the move it is going to make.

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

SHIFT
OPTIONS/MOVE

Ed

Ed

disappears.

EdEd

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

7dd9

7dd9

appears.

7dd97dd9

LAST PIECE

NEXT PIECE

or

Sound Options

4. Press

CLEAR/ON

to return to the game.

5170&

You can set the computer so it turns off most of its
sounds except important messages.

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

4. Press

SHIFT
OPTIONS/MOVE

Ed

Ed

disappears.

EdEd

CLEAR/ON

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

IEKD:ý

IEKD:ý

IEKD:ýIEKD:ý

LAST PIECE

to return to the game.

appears.

±

NEXT PIECE

or

19

#&8#0%'&"%*'55"
(70%6+105

/18'"5%14'"&+52.#;

The computer normally shows the sequence num­ber of the current move. Follow these steps to set
the computer so it shows a score based on the
computer’s evaluati on of the cu rrent boa rd posi tion.

Advanced Chess Functions

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

4. Press

SHIFT

OPTIONS/MOVE

ED

ED

appears.

EDED

CLEAR/ON

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

I9Eh;

I9Eh;

I9Eh;I9Eh;

to return to the game.

appears.

LAST PIECE

NEXT PIECE

or

416#6+0)"+0(14/#6+10"&+52.#;

You can set the display to show information while
the computer is calculating its move, including the
score, depth of search (number of moves the com­puter is thinking ahead), the best move the comput­er is considering, and a count up timer.

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

4. Press

SHIFT

OPTIONS/MOVE

ED

ED

appears.

EDED

CLEAR/ON

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

?d<E

?d<E

appears.

?d<E?d<E

LAST PIECE

to return to the game.

NEXT PIECE

or

5'.'%6+0)"%1/2'6+6+10"2#+45

The computer lets you select the competition pairs
so that you can play against the computer, another
person or let the computer play against itself.

20

1. Press

SHIFT

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

appears.

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Select an option from the foll owing table,
repeatedly press
until the number in the table appears, then
press

Set the computer to play against itself. &

OPTIONS/MOVE

FB7Oh

until

CLEAR/ON

Play against another person.

Play against the computer. '

FB7Oh

FB7OhFB7Oh

LAST PIECE

.

6Q 5GNGEV

then repeatedly press

appears.

NEXT PIECE

or

((((

'

''

&

&&

2NC[KPI"#ICKPUV"#PQVJGT"2GTUQP

3333

appears when you set the computer so yo u can
play against another per son. Make your move then
let the other person make a move.

2NC[KPI"#ICKPUV"VJG"%QORWVGT

The computer is preset to play against a human
opponent.

5GVVKPI"VJG"%QORWVGT"VQ"2NC["
#ICKPUV"+VUGNH

Press
play against itself. Press
any time to stop auto play.

OPTIONS/MOVE

twice to set the computer to

OPTIONS/MOVE

again at

4#6+0)5

8KGYKPI";QWT"4CVKPI

Advanced Chess Functions

To view your r atin g, pres s

OFF

. Your current rating appears.

SHIFT

5GVVKPI"C"4CVKPI

To change your rating, you must complete a rated
game on a tournament or sudden death level. This

then press

RATING/

21

"+/2146#06"

#

If you attempt to use the
hint, setup, or undo options
or press NEW GAME
during a rated game, the
computer asks you “Are
You Sure?” and indicates
which result (draw, win, or
loss) would be scored if you
confirmed your selection.

#

lets you experience wh at it is like to play a game
against an o ppone nt in a rated tour nament. In rated
tournaments, a chess clock is always used so that
you play your moves within agreed-upon time limits.

±ý

#"

When you are ready to play a rated game, follow
these steps to set your rating.

°°°°

1. Press

SHIFT

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

appears.

"*+06"

°

°

Advanced Chess Functions

To exit a rated game
without affecting your
rating, reset the computer
by pressing SHIFT then
NEW GAME/REPEAT.

During a rated game, the
computer will resign if you
are winning by 9 or more
points by saying “Are You
Sure I Lose?” Then, the
computer waits for you to
press NEW GAME /
REPEAT before it resigns.

°°

"016'"±"

±

°

°

°°

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

"

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

4. Press

5. Select the tournament or sudden death level
you wish to play against.

When
rated. Since the game you are playing is rated, you
cannot ask for a hint, nor undo a bad move, nor use
setup to improve your position. You al so cannot
press
rated game.

OPTIONS/MOVE

h7J;

until

Ed

Ed

appears.

EdEd

CLEAR/ON

EEEE

appears during a game, that game can be

NEW GAME/REPEAT

h7J;

h7J;h7J;

.

then repeatedly press

appears.

LAST PIECE

to start over during a

NEXT PIECE

or

75+0)"%1#%*

You can set the computer so it says “Warning” and

22

éééé

displays
safely take.

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s
until

4. Press

(threat) if it thinks you have a piece it can

SHIFT
OPTIONS/MOVE

ED

ED

appears.

EDED

CLEAR/ON

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

9E79>

9E79>

9E79>9E79>

LAST PIECE

.

appears.

NEXT PIECE

or

75+0)"12'0+0)"$11-5

±

"016'"

±

"

• You cannot select an
opening book during a
game.

• If you want to make your
own move at the
beginning of the game,
set the computer to play
against another person
(see “Using Teaching
Modes” on Page 24),
enter moves for both
sides until you reach the
opening position you
want to practice, then
set the computer so you
are playing against the
computer.

The computer’s opening book memory contains
over 3000 opening book moves and 32 major open­ing strategies so the computer can respond more
rapidly d uri ng a ga me ’s opening moves. You can in­fluence the computer’s play by selecting any of
these options. When you select an option, the com­puter selects positions more often from that option.

±

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

SHIFT

OPTIONS/MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s

CeZ;(

CeZ;(

.

CeZ;(CeZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

EF;D

EF;D

appears.

EF;DEF;D

LAST PIECE

NEXT PIECE

or

to select one of the following opening books.

0WODGT 1RGPKPI"$QQM"0CO G

1 Ruy Lopez, Open Defense
2 Ruy Lopez, Zaitsev Defense
3 Ruy Lopez, Exchange
4 Scotch Game
5 Scotch Four Knights
6 Gluoco Piano
7 Two Knights Defense

Advanced Chess Functions

8 Four Knights

9 Petroff’s Defense
10 Sicilian Alapin Variation
11 Sicilian, Najdorf Variation
12 Sicilian, Dragon Variation
13 Sicilian, Keres Attack
14 Caro-Kann Defense
15 Panov-Botvinnik Attack
16 Caro-Kann Exchange Variant
17 Queen’s Gambit Declined
18 Lasker Defense, Queen Gambit Declined
19 Queen Gambit Declined Exchange Variant

23

Advanced Chess Functions

0WODGT 1RGPKPI"$QQM"0COG

20 Slav Defense
21 Queen’s Gambit Accepted
22 Nimzo-Indian Defense, Classical Variant
23 Nimzo-Indian Defense, Rubinstein Variant
24 Semi-Slav Defense
25 Queen’s Indian Defense
26 Queen’s Indian Defense, Petrosian Variant
27 Bogolubow Indian Defense
28 Catalan
29 Gruenfeld Defense
30 King’s Indian Defense
31 Modern Benoni Defense
32 Benko Gambit

4. Press

CLEAR/ON

to return to the game.

If your move is not the co rrec t opening move, an er­ror beep sounds. To learn the correct move, press

SETUP+/HINT

EF;d

EF;d

appears wh en th e comp uter mak es its move to

EF;dEF;d

indicate that there is another opening move. If

. The computer shows you the move.

EF;d

EF;d

EF;dEF;d

does not appear, you can continue normal play.

75+0)"6'#%*+0)"/1&'5

Your computer has eight bu ilt-in teaching modes
that yo u can use to help you learn how to check­mate an opponent’s king. Your computer includes
the following teaching modes.

• Kings, pa wns

• Kings, pa wns, knights

24

• Kings, pawns, bishops

• Kings, pawns, rooks

• Kings, pawns, queens

• Kings, white bishops

• Kings, white rooks

• Kings, white queen

In the teaching mode, the computer sets up the dis-

±

"016'"

±

"

You cannot select a
teaching mode during a
game.

play to simulate a real game where both the black
and white kings and other pieces are in their start­ing positions. This lets you play a game using only
the pieces you set up, making it easy to see only
the strengths and weaknesses of the piece you se­lected without being distracted by other pieces.

1. Press

2. Press

NEXT MOVE

SHIFT

OPTIONS/MOVE

3. Repeatedly pres s

CEZ;(

CEZ;(

.

CEZ;(CEZ;(

until

appears.

then repeatedly press

Jh7?d

Jh7?d

Jh7?dJh7?d

appears.

NEXT PIECE

LAST PIEC E

or

±

until the teaching mode you want appears.

4. Press

CLEAR/ON

to start the game.

75+0)"241$.'/"5'672

You can add a piece, remove a piece or chang e the
position of any piece on the chessboard when it is
your turn to move by using the setup mode.

Advanced Chess Functions

To remove a piece on the chessboard, press
then

SETUP-/LEVEL

SETUP+/HIN T

or

. Press the di-

SHIFT

rectional button to the square with the piece you
want to remove, then press

CLEAR/ON

to resume the game.

OPTIONS/MOVE

To add a piece on the chessboard, press
then press

SETUP +/H INT

SETUP-/LEVEL

or

. Press

SHIFT

. Press
the directional buttons to the square you want to
add the piece. Then repeatedly press

SETUP +/HINT

to select which kind of piece you want to add. Press

OPTIONS/MOVE

to confirm. Press

CLEAR/ON

to re-

sume the game.
To change any piece on the chessboard, press

SHIFT

then

SETUP +/HINT

SETUP -/LEVEL

or

. Press
the directional buttons to the square with the piece
you want to ch ange. Then repeatedly press

SET-

UP+/HINT

SETUP -/LEVEL

or

to select which kind of

25

piece you want to ch ange to. Pres s

OPTIONS/MOVE

"016'"±"

±

• The computer sounds an
error beep if it detects
any illegal settings.

• You cannot exit this
mode unless there is a
white king and a black
king on the board.

Advanced Chess Functions

to confirm. Press

CLEAR/ON

to resume the game.

%NGCTKPI"VJG"$QCTF12NCEKPI"2KGEGU

You can clear all pieces from the chessboard then
select and set pieces where you want them.

1. Press

SHIFT

2. Repeatedly pres s
repeatedly pres s

CEZ;(

CEZ;(

.

CEZ;(CEZ;(

appears.

OPTIONS/MOVE

NEXT MOVE

until

then

9Bh8h

9Bh8h

9Bh8h9Bh8h

board) appears. The board is cleared of all
pieces.

3. Press

SETUP +/HINT

SETUP –/LEVEL

or

appears and a white king flashes.

4. Repeatedly pres s

NEXT MOVE, LAST MOVE

±

(clear

I[jKF

I[jKF

.

I[jKFI[jK F

,

NEXT PIECE

, and

LAST PIECE

to move the

piece to the square you want.

5. Repeatedly pres s

LEVEL

to select the piece you w ant to place.

SETUP +/HINT

6. If necessary, repeatedly press

SETUP –/

or

/UNDO

to
change the color of the piece you want to
place, then press

OPTIONS/MOVE

to confirm

the piece.

7. Press
or

NEXT MOVE, LAST MOVE, NEXT PIECE

LAST PIECE .

Another piece appears.

,

8. Repeat Steps 4–7 to add additional pieces to
the board.

9. Once you have placed all the pieces you want,

26

press

CLEAR/ON

to start the game.

To change the color of the side to move, press

SHIFT
UNDO
CLEAR/ON

, then either

to change the side to move, then press

to continue.

SETUP

±

button, then press

/

6417$.'5*116+0)

2TQDNGO 4GOGF[

The display is dim or
blank, or the computer
does not work.

The computer does not
make a move.

The computer does not
accept a legal move.

Press the RESET hole to
clear the display.

Check the batteries.
Make sure the computer is

not set to play itself. See
“Using Teaching Modes” on
Page 24.

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.

Ve rify that a move you made
was a legal move.

Press OPTIONS/MOVE to
interrupt the computer.

Troubleshooting

You cannot resume the
current game.

The computer makes
instant or irrational
moves.

The computer is set to
play itself, but the com­puter makes a counter­move after you play a
different game.

During a game, the com­puter does not beep.

Check the level and fill the
blank with the allowable color
code.

Press SHIFT then NEW
GAME/REPEAT to start a
new game.

Press the RESET hole to
reset the computer.

Check the batteries.
Make sure the computer is

set to play itself. See “Using
Teaching Modes” on
Page 24.

The computer’s sound is off.
Turn on the sound. See
“Sound” on Page 19.

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