TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK START
KEYS AND FEATURES
INTRODUCTION
3.10 Teach Modes
3.11 Selecting Levels and Teach Modes
3.12 Openings Coach Mode
3.13 Verify Mode. Check Piece Positions!
3.14 Non Auto Mode
ENGLISH
1. USING YOUR CHESS COMPUTER
1.1 Battery Installation
1.2 Making Moves
1.3 The Computer’s Move
1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back!
1.5 Check, Mate, or Draw!
1.6 Start a New Game
1.7 Change Levels
1.8 Openings Coach
2. ADDITIONAL COMPUTER FEATURES
2.1 Chess Clocks
2.2 Capturing and Special Moves
2.3 Illegal Moves
2.4 Interrupting the Computer’s Search
2.5 Changing Sides with the Computer
2.6 Getting Hints from the Computer
2.7 The Computer Plays Against Itself
2.8 Game Memory and Automatic Power Down
2.9 Openings Library
3. LEVELS AND SPECIAL MODES
3.1 Levels of Play
3.2 Fun Levels
3.3 Casual Levels
3.4 Blitz Levels
3.5 Bronstein Levels
3.6 Bonus Timer Levels
3.7 Tournament Levels
3.8 Fixed Depth Levels
3.9 Tactical Level
4. TECHNICAL DETAILS
4.1 The ACL Function
4.2 Care and Maintenance
4.3 Technical Specifications
TROUBLE SHOOTING GUIDE
1
KEYS AND FEATURES
1. LCD Display Window: The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is
used to show moves, game information, and chess clocks for
both players. Most of the symbols it uses are obvious, but a full
list is shown in Figure 1.
2. Piece Symbol Keys: &(King), %(Queen), $(Rook), #(Bishop),
@(Knight), and !Pawn. The Piece Symbol keys are used to
verify positions and to select the different Teach modes, and
some pieces are used for under-promotion of pawns.
3. Game Keys
a. SAY AGAIN key: The key is used to ask the computer to
repeat its last spoken announcement.
b. SOUND key: Pressing the key causes the sound feature to
cycle through its three levels of operation. Provided you
haven’t previously selected ‘silent’, you can tell which condition you have selected by the number of high tone beeps you
hear:
SOUND LEVEL SIGNAL EMITTED WHEN IT IS SELECTED
Beep and Voice 3 high tones
Beep only 2 high tones
Silent 1 high tone
Holding the key pressed for a second or more will cause a
spoken message to be repeated. Voice offers helpful remarks
from the coach, and the buzzer ‘beeps’ to show that the
computer is responding to your actions. The meanings of the
various ‘beeps’ are shown in Figure 1.
c. NEW GAME key: Press to reset the computer for a new
game of chess.
d. NON AUTO key: Press to enter Non Auto mode, which
allows moves to be entered manually – the computer
monitors the game, but makes no moves.
e. LEVEL key: Press to enter Level mode to adjust the level of
play to the complexity and type of game you desire. Also
used to select the Teach modes.
f. TAKE BACK key: Press to take back the last individual
move made. You may take back up to 14 individual moves.
(An individual move is a move for one side.)
g. GO/STOP key: Press to turn the computer on. Press again
to turn the computer off. The current game is retained in
memory for up to 550 hours.
h. OPENINGS COACH key: Press to enter Openings Coach
mode and train on recognized opening gambits and
responses.
I. PLAY key: Press to exchange sides with the computer. Also
you may press while the computer is thinking to force it to
move, or during your own move to get a suggestion from the
computer.
4. Sensory Chessboard: Each square has a highly sensitive sensor
that registers piece movement. Squares are identified by file
(letters) and rank (numbers).
5. ACL (Reset): In the base of the unit is a recessed reset switch. It
is used to eliminate static discharge after inserting a new set of
batteries.
6. Battery Compartment: The batteries are housed in the base of the
unit. The computer uses 3 “AA” (Type AM3/R6) alkaline batteries.
7. Piece Storage Area: Handy storage compartment for your chess
pieces.
2
Figure 1. Display Symbols and Sounds
SYMBOLS
1 ................1 A ................. A k ............King
2 ................2 B ................. b q ............Queen
3 ................3 c ................. C r ............Rook
4 ................4 D ................. D b ............Bishop
5 ................5 E ................. E n ............Knight
6 ................6 F ................. F p ............Pawn
7 ................7 G ................. G
8 ................8 H ................. H
9 ................9
0 ................0
PM .............Indicates player to move.
S.................Indicates black to move.
- ..............Steady colon indicates that figures are Minutes
:
- ..............Flashing colon indicates that figures are
:
ch:
ch:zz .......White in check
EnD
EnDZ .........Draw
te: ...........Teach mode
oZ:3 .........Openings Coach (Spanish Opening)- computer
oz:3 .........Openings Coach (Spanish Opening)- computer
-
o
:3 .........Openings Coach (Spanish Opening)- computer
o-:3 .........Openings Coach (Spanish Opening)- computer
and Seconds
Hours and Minutes
--
.......Black in check
-
.........Checkmate – black wins
plays both sides
plays white
plays black
plays neither
SOUNDS
1 high tone .............Acknowledge operation of any key or
sensory square
1 low tone .............. Error – wrong move or wrong key pressed
2 low tones.............Warning from Coach
3 high tones ...........New Game or Beep and Voice set
3 low tones.............In games against the clock, time has run out
E7:E5
7 45
ENGLISH
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1
2
3
3
INTRODUCTION
This electronic chess board is a powerful computer that will play chess with you at whatever level of
complexity you choose, or if you prefer, you can play a game with a friend and the computer will act as referee.
The huge range of levels of play (64) combined with the extended teach modes (11) will satisfy anyone with an
interest in chess, including young and old. There are 768 combinations altogether. The teach modes and
openings coaches are superb learning features at any level of play, and the various modes of timed competition
will please the intermediate player.
1. USING YOUR CHESS COMPUTER
Battery Installation
1. Your chess computer runs on 3 “AA” (AM3/R6) batteries. For longer battery life, use fresh alkaline
batteries. Push the tab of the cover in the back of the case and insert the batteries as shown in Figure 1-1 .
Reinstall the cover and press GO/STOP to turn the computer on. If the computer does not respond, use a paper
clip or other sharp object to press into the hole marked ACL in the base of the unit for at least one second to
reset the computer. After the battery is inserted or ACL is pressed, the computer runs a self-test. 3 ‘beeps’
indicate that the test is OK; a buzz or silence indicates a problem and you should check it with your local
distributor.
Note that putting in new batteries or pressing ACL will reset the computer and its memory, losing any
game that it might contain.
Making Moves
2. Follow these steps to start a game.
a. If necessary press GO/STOP to turn the computer on.
b. Set up the chess pieces in their starting positions with the White pieces nearest to you, as shown in Figure
1-2, and press NEW GAME. The computer will say “Let’s play”, and indicate on the display that you should
play a White piece.
00:00
PM
2 x AAA/AM4/R03
Fig 1-1
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Fig 1-2
Fig 1-3
Note that pressing NEW GAME will cancel Teach mode or Openings Coach if either is selected, or switch
off the Non Auto function.
c. To make a move, lightly press down on the piece you want to move until you hear a ‘beep’ (see Figure 1-3.
The computer’s sensory board registers your move, and the display shows on the left side the ‘from’ square
that was pressed.
E2:zz
4
E7:E5
Fig 1-4
d. Take the piece and lightly press it down on the square you want to move to. A second ‘beep’ sounds and
the computer briefly shows the ‘to’ square on the right side of the display.
E2:E4
As soon as your move is finished, if you have voice selected, the display will show Co ch while it evaluates
your move. Commentary message for the move you executed may be emitted.
e. Then it is the computer’s turn, and the computer starts thinking about its move. However, in the early
stages of a game the computer’s response is often virtually instantaneous, because it is playing moves
already stored in its openings library. (See Section 2.9)
The Computer’s Move
3. When the computer is ready, it ‘beeps’ and shows the ‘from’ and ‘to’ coordinates of its move in the display, as
shown in Figure 1-4. For an example, see Figures 1-5a and b. Press the indicated piece down on its ‘from’
square (E7, in this case), until you hear a ‘beep’ and the ‘from’ side of the display changes to show the color and
symbol for that piece. (Figure 1 shows the symbols.)
Next press that same piece down on the second square in the display – the square the computer wants to
move to (E5 here). Once you press E5, the display clears and you have completed the computer’s move! The
display then indicates again that it is your move.
Change Your Mind? Take Back!
4.If you change your mind about a move, you can take it back. Press TAKE BACK while it is still your turn to
move. The display shows the ‘to’ square. Press the piece down on that square. You now see the piece symbol
and the square that piece came from. Press the piece down on the ‘from’ square to finish the take-back. If the
move taken back was a capture, the computer reminds you to put the captured piece back on the board by
displaying the piece type and its square for you. Press this piece down on the indicated square. To take back
another move, press TAKE BACK again. You can do this for up to 14 individual moves (or 7 moves for each
side), allowing you to experiment and try out various “What If?” approaches. To continue the game, either make
your next move or press PLAY to have the computer make it for you.
Figures 1-6a/b show an example of taking back the Knight move from G8 to F6. After pressing TAKE BACK,
the display shows F6, the square the Knight moved to (Figure 1-6a). Press down on F6, and the display changes
to show the piece color and symbol (Black Knight) and the square that piece came from (Figure 1-6b). Press the
Knight back down on G8.
Note that en passant captures cannot be replayed if the take back of its previous move was not allowed.
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Fig 1-5b
--
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Fig 1-6a
ENGLISH
Check, Mate, or Draw!
5.Whe a King is in check, the display shows the check symbol (alternately with the clock display if the clock is
running). When the game ends in checkmate, draw by stalemate, draw by immediate 3 fold repetition or draw by
50 move rule, the End symbol is displayed. These symbols are shown in Figure 1.
5
-
n:g8
Fig 1-6b
Start a New Game
6.Press NEW GAME to start a new game at any time, using the currently selected level and the previous
setting of the sound and voice feature. Since pressing NEW GAME clears your current game from the
computer’s memory, be very careful not to press this key by mistake.
Change Levels
7.Your chess computer offers you 64 levels of play, each of which corresponds to one of the 64 board
squares. Together with the eleven built-in Extended Teach modes, you have a choice of 768 level settings.
Press LEVEL to enter Level mode, and the current level is displayed (eg the Level equivalent to board square A3
shows L:A3 alternately with Fu n3.) To change the level, simply press a board square, and that level will show
in the display. Press LEVEL again to exit Level mode. For more information on the playing levels, see Section 3.
Openings Coach
8.Your computer has 16 openings sequences such as the “Italian Opening” or the “Queen’s Gambit” for you to
learn. Press OPENINGS COACH and then press one of the squares from A1 to B8 to select one of the
openings. Press the square again to choose how much help you get from the computer, and then press
OPENINGS COACH again to start practicing or to test your knowledge. More details are in Paragraph 3.12
2. ADDITIONAL COMPUTER FEATURES
2.1 Chess Clocks
Built in chess clocks keep track of the time for you and also for the computer’s side, with a four-digit display
showing the total elapsed time or the remaining time for each player alternately when it is his turn. After you have
entered the computer’s move the display shows your chess clock until a key or square is pressed. However, it
keeps tally of your time until the ‘to’ square is pressed. After you make your move, the display immediately
switches to the computer’s clock while it thinks, until it indicates that it is ready to move.
However, the computer may instead display Co ch after your move while it analyzes whether you made a
good or a bad move. If the Sound is set to Beep and Voice, and the computer concludes that you have made a
good move, it encourages with “Mm! Good move”. On the other hand if it thinks your move is not good, it says
“Uh! Uh!”.
For the first hour of the game or the remaining time is less than a hour, the display will show
MINUTES:SECONDS, with a steady colon. If the total elapsed time exceeds one hour or the remaining time
exceeds one hours, the display will show HOURS:MINUTES, and the colon becomes a flashing colon while the
clock is showing.
Notes: The clock stops if you verify the level, if you verify the board, or if you turn the computer off. In
each of these cases, however, the times are retained in memory, and the clock display resumes when play
is continued.
The clock resets if you change level or press a square while in Level Mode.
When your King is in check, the display shows check alternately with the chess clock.
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Fig 2-2
6
If you are playing in a level which is against the clock, the clock
counts down from your selected time to show time remaining.
When the first clock reaches zero, there will be three low tone
‘beeps’ to signal that time has run out. The clock will then begin
counting time up from zero. In the levels where time is not part
of the competition, the clock counts upwards to show the total
elapsed time.
If you take back while playing against the clock, the clock does
not reverse for each take back. It simply stops until you start
making a move again.
2.2 Capturing and Special Moves
a. CAPTURES: To capture, press down lightly on the piece you
want to move, take the captured piece off the board, and press
your piece on the square of the captured piece. The computer
will announce the capture.
b. EN PASSANT: In an en passant capture, the computer reminds
you to remove the captured pawn from the board by displaying
the pawn’s location. Press down on the captured pawn before
removing it from the board. See Figure 2-1a, b and c.
c. PAWN PROMOTION AND UNDER-PROMOTION: When you
promote a pawn, first press your pawn down on its ‘from’ square,
as usual. The computer displays your ‘from’ square and the
Queen symbol (alternately with the clock display). As soon as
you press your pawn down on the ‘to’ square, it automatically
becomes a Queen. Remember to change your piece on the
board! If you wish to under-promote your pawn to Rook, Bishop,
or Knight, then press the appropriate Piece Symbol key in
between pressing the ‘from’ and ‘to’ squares. When the computer
promotes a pawn, it will show the ‘from’ and ‘to’ square as usual.
After you press its ‘from’ square, the display indicates the piece
type that the pawn will be promoted to by showing the piece
symbol and the ‘to’ square. Press down on the ‘to’ square with
the indicated new piece to complete the computer’s promotion
move.
d. CASTLING: The computer automatically recognizes castling
after the King is moved. After you have pressed the King down
on its ‘from’ and ‘to’ squares, the computer displays the Rook’s
‘from’ square, and the voice feature announces the move. Press
down on this square. The computer then displays the Rook
symbol, along with the square the Rook should move to. Press
down on the Rook’s ‘to’ square to complete the move (see Figure
2-2).
2.3 Illegal Moves
Your computer will never accept an illegal move. If you attempt an
illegal move, the computer gives a low tone error ‘beep’, says “Illegal
move!”, and the display keeps showing the ‘from’ square. Press on that
square to clear the illegal move; then move again.
Also, if you should move the computer’s piece incorrectly you will
also hear an error ‘beep’. This can happen if you move the wrong
piece or move a piece to the wrong square. Check the display and
move again.
If you press a piece and the ‘from’ square shows in the display, but
you decide not to make that move, press that same square once again
to cancel. Be careful not to make mistakes when the sound is off, as
you will not be able to hear the error ‘beeps’.
2.4 Interrupting the Computer’s Search
To interrupt the computer while it is thinking, press PLAY, and the
computer will play the best move it has found so far. This can be most
useful in games at a high level of play, when an exhaustive search for
the best move can be quite time consuming.
2.5 Changing Sides with the Computer
To change sides with the computer, press PLAY when it is your turn.
The computer will make the next move for your side. Change sides as
often as you wish!
2.6 Getting Hints from the Computer
Whenever Voice is selected the computer is likely to make
encouraging remarks “Mm Good Move!” when you make a good move,
or indicate disapproval “Uh! Uh!” if you make a bad one. However, if
you need more help, you can have the computer show you what it
would do in your position! Press PLAY on your turn, and the computer
will make the next move for you.
To keep this move as your own, make the displayed move on the
board, press PLAY again and the computer will make its next move;
then continue the game by making your own next move. If you do not
want to use the computer’s move, first make the displayed move on the
ENGLISH
7
board, and then take it back. Once you have cleared the move in this
way, you can make your own move.
2.7 The Computer Plays Against Itself
To watch the computer play a game against itself, press PLAY for
every move. Study its playing strategies to learn more about chess!
2.8 Game Memory and Automatic Power Down
You may interrupt a game by pressing GO/STOP to turn the
computer off. The computer will “remember” your position for up to 550
hours (with fresh alkaline batteries). When you switch on again, it
continues where you left off!
If you do not press a key or make a move within about 20 minutes
when the computer is not thinking, the computer will switch off to
conserve power, and will retain the game in memory. Press GO/STOP
to resume the unfinished game.
2.9 Openings Library
At the beginning of a game, the computer’s reply is usually
instantaneous because the computer is playing moves which are
stored in its
openings library, the computer plays a response to that position from its
collection of moves, instead of thinking about the move.
openings library
. If the current board position is in its
• Bronstein: E1 to E4. The game must be concluded within the
selected time, which is then increased by an amount to
compensate for each move. The compensation is the actual time
used or the allowed time, whichever is shorter.
• Bonus Timer: E5 to E8. The game must be concluded within the
selected time, which is increased by a prescribed amount to
compensate for each move before the move is made.
• Tournament: F1-F8. A certain number of moves must be made
within the given amount of time.
• Fixed Depth: G1-G8. Computer skill is limited by not being able
CHOOSE A LEVEL FROM THE 64 BOARD SQUARES
8
7
6
3. LEVELS AND SPECIAL MODES
3.1 Levels of Play
With 768 level settings to choose from (including the Extended
Teach modes), you can lear n and grow with this chess computer! As
shown in the charts of playing levels in the following paragraphs, each
level corresponds to one of the 64 board squares. The basic levels are
categorized into 8 groups intended to suit users of different abilities:
• Fun Levels: A1 to A8. For the early beginner. A1 is easiest.
• Casual Levels: B1 to C8. For games not against the clock. Full
range of difficulty from easy (B1) to extremely challenging (C8).
When you first power up the computer B4 will be the selected
level.
• Blitz: D1 to D8. Also known as “Sudden Death”. Game must be
concluded within the selected time.
5
4
BLITZ
3
FUN LEVELS
2
1
ABCDEFGH
CASUAL LEVELS
TOURNAMENT
BRONSTEIN BONUS TIMER
8
TACTICAL
FIXED DEPTH
to look ahead more than the selected number of moves.
• Tactical. H1-H8. Computer skill is limited by not being able to
look ahead more than the selected number of moves, and by not
evaluating strategic advantage.
When you set the level, bear in mind that when the computer has
more time to think about its moves, it gets stronger and plays betterjust like a human player! Sharpen your chess skill as you beat the
computer on each level, graduate to the next. Keep challenging
yourself and learn more about the game!
3.2 Fun Levels
Selection of any of the squares from A1 to A8 will give you the fun
levels. In this range the computer does not make an exhaustive search
for the best available move. It disregards scores, and in addition the
program makes use of randomizers which cause the computer to
occasionally make a move that is not the best of those it has found.
This introduces an interesting variability in the computer’s responses,
and sometimes it will seem to make quite human errors of judgement.
A1 is the lowest skill level, and A8 is somewhat higher.
3.3 Casual Levels
When casual levels are selected, you are controlling the skill level of
the computer by limiting the average amount of time it has to select its
move. As the skill level is increased, the computer will think ahead
progressively more deeply, and as a consequence, play a more skillful
game.
When one of these levels is selected from the B or C files of
squares, the display will alternate every second between the level
selection and the average response time of the computer. Your choice
is shown below:
Chessboard Square Time per Move Display
B1........................ 1 sec.............. L:B1/00:01
B2........................ 2 sec.............. L:B2/00:02
B3........................ 3 sec.............. L:B3/00:03
B4........................ 5 sec.............. L:B4/00:05
B5....................... 1 0 sec............. L:B5/00:10
B6....................... 1 5 sec............. L:B6/00:15
B7....................... 2 0 sec............. L:B7/00:20
B8....................... 3 0 sec............. L:B8/00:30
C1.......................45 s e c ............. L:c1/00:45
C2........................1 min.............. L:c2/01:00
C3........................2 min.............. L:c3/02:00
C4........................3 min.............. L:c4/03:00
C5........................4 min.............. L:c5/04:00
C6........................5 min.............. L:c6/05:00
C7.......................10 min............. L:c7/10:00
C8.......................15 min............. L:c8/15:00
3.4 Blitz Levels
The levels in the D file of squares are the Blitz levels. If you wish to
play speed chess, or “instant death”, you can select from a range of
times which are allowed for the game to be completed. You may
choose between a 5 minute “pressure cooker” of a game to a more
relaxed 1
will alternate every second between the name of the square you have
1
/
hours. When you select one of these squares, the display
2
selected, and the corresponding time limit for the game.
Chessboard Square Time per Move Display
D1........................5 min............... L:D1/05:00
D2.......................10 min.............. L:D2/10:00
D3.......................15 min.............. L:D3/15:00
D4.......................25 min.............. L:D4/25:00
D5.......................30 min.............. L:D5/30:00
D6.......................45 min.............. L:D6/45:00
D7.......................60 min.............. L:D7/1:00
D8.......................90 min.............. L:D8/1:30
3.5 Bronstein Levels
By selecting a square from E1 to E4 on the chess board, you can
select a time limit for the game following the Bronstein system. A basic
time is selected for the game, and an increment of a few seconds is
then added to that time every time a move is made. The increment is
either the free time shown in the table below, or the actual time taken to
move, whichever is shorter. Your choice is shown in the table. When
you choose one of these levels, the display cycles through three
different pieces of information, each of which is shown for 1 second.
For example, if you chose E2 you would see:
• The selected square L:E2 and then ....
• The base time in minutes 10:00 and then ....
• The free time in seconds 00:05
ENGLISH
9
Chessboard Time for Free Time Display
Square Game per Move
E1 ............ 5 min........... 3 s e c ....... L:E1/05:00/00:03
E2 ........... 10 min.......... 5 s e c ....... L:E2/10:00/00:05
E3 ........... 15 min.........10 s e c ...... L:E3/15:00/00:10
E4 ........... 20 min.........10 s e c ...... L:E4/20:00/00:10
3.6 Bonus Timer Levels
Selection of a square in the range E5 to E 8 gives the Bonus Timer
Levels. This is similar to the Bronstein Levels, except that the time
increment is always 2 seconds, and it is added to the time before the
move is made.
Chessboard Time for Free Time Display
Square Game per Move
E5 ............ 3 min........... 2 s e c ....... L:E5/03:00/00:02
E6 ........... 10 min.......... 2 s e c ....... L:E6/10:00/00:02
E7 ........... 20 min.......... 2 s e c ....... L:E7/20:00/00:02
E8 ........... 50 min.......... 2 s e c ....... L:E8/50:00/00:02
3.7 Tournament Levels
The file of F squares provides 8 tournament levels. When one of
these is selected, you and the computer are each required to make a
prescribed number of moves within a given amount of time. For
example, if you select F3 you will be required to make 40 moves within
2 hours under the Primary Time Control. If the game is not finished
within that time, the Secondary Time Control period will begin, and you
will be required to make 20 moves within 1 hour. And if this secondary
period does not produce a result, it is repeated until a conclusion is
reached.
In accordance with tournament regulations, any time remaining at
completion of the moves of the Primary Time Control is carried forward
and added to the time allowed for the Secondary Time Control. For
example, if you selected level F3 and completed the first 40 moves in
just one hour, you would be allowed 2 hours for the next 20 moves.
Surplus time, if there is any, is carried forward and accumulated in this
way throughout the game.
When you select one of these tournament levels, the display will
cycle through three items of information, each of which shows for a
second. For example, if square F4 is selected, the display will show:
• The selected square L:F4 and then ....
• The number of moves
in the Primary Time Control 40 and then ....
• The duration of the Primary
Time Control 2:00
Chess
board
Square
F1 30 30 min 30 30 min
F2 30
F3 40 2 hr 20 1 hr
F4 40 2 hr remain 1 hr
F5 40
F6 45
F7 50
F8 60 1 hr 30 30 min
3.8 Fixed Depth Levels
The fixed depth levels in file G limit the skill of the computer, not by
the time to search for its next play, but by the number of moves ahead.
At the lower levels it behaves more like a novice player. At the lowest
level, G1, where the computer looks ahead only one individual move, it
really does not anticipate the game at all, and could even miss a mate
Primary Secondary
Time Control Time Control
Moves Time Moves Time
1 h r
30 min 30/1:30
2 hr
30min 40/2:30
1 hr
30 min 45/1:30
2 hr
30 min 50/2:30
remain 1 hr
16 1 hr
15 30 min
20 1 hr
Display
L:F1/
30/0:30
L:F2/
L:F3/
40/2:00
L:F4/
40/2:00
L:F5/
L:F6/
L:F7/
L:F8/
60/1:00
10
that you could make in one more move. At the other end of the scale
the computer will review all the possibilities within the next 8 individual
moves (G8).
In this case the display alternates every second between the level
you have selected, and how many individual moves (ply) ahead the
computer searches:
• The selected square L:G5 and then ....
• The number of individual
moves ahead 5P Ly
3.9 Tactical Level
Tactical levels are found in the last file of squares, ‘H’ file. These
levels also limit how many individual moves ahead the computer looks,
but in this case the computer does not evaluate strategic advantages,
and looks only for material gain such as checkmate or draws. Again,
the number of individual moves ahead that the computer reviews is
equivalent to the chessboard square – H1 is one individual move
ahead; H8 is 8 moves ahead.
The display alternates every second between the level you have
selected, and how many individual moves (ply) ahead the computer
searches, in similar fashion to the Fixed Depth levels.
• The selected square L:H8 and then.....
• The number of individual
moves ahead 8P Ly
3.10 Teach Modes
Your chess computer contains eleven built-in Extended Teach
modes. This feature allows you to learn basic moves and master the
tactics of the pieces, one at a time. For each individual Teach mode
the only pieces on the board will be Kings and Pawns, or Kings and
Pawns and one or two selected piece types. This allows beginners to
concentrate on one or two pieces at a time, without losing focus and
being distracted by other pieces on the board. More developed players
can use this feature to practice playing with selected combinations of
pieces.
Note the following, in relation to the Levels and Teach modes:
• If NEW GAME is pressed during any game, the computer will quit
the Teach mode and switch back to the standard (32 pieces), with
the current level still in effect.
• If you press LEVEL and you then decide not to change the
current playing level or Teach mode, simply press LEVEL again,
and the current status will remain as it is.
You may select a new level at any time during your turn.
However, the clock will be reset.
• If you press more than 2 Piece Symbol keys during a Teach mode
selection, only the last 2 symbol selections will be valid when you
exit Level Mode.
• If you accidentally press any piece symbol key in Level mode, you
will lose the current game after exiting Level mode. To continue
with the current game, press the square corresponding to the
current level of play, before exiting Level mode. However, the
clock will have been reset.
3.11 Selecting Levels and Teach Modes
Press LEVEL to enter Level mode, and the current level is displayed
(eg Level A3 shows as L:A3 alternating with Fu n3, which is the level
selected by pressing board square A3). To change the level, simply
press a board square, and the new level alternating with the level
details will show in the display. Press LEVEL again to exit Level mode.
Note the following key sequences and effects:
LEVEL, LEVEL No change. Previous level
remains selected
LEVEL, Square, LEVEL New level selected, clock
resets
LEVEL, Piece Symbol, Starting position of selected
LEVEL Teach mode is set at previously
selected level.
LEVEL, Square, Starting position of selected
Piece Symbol, LEVEL Teach mode is set at new
level
LEVEL, Piece Symbol, New level is set, previous
Square, LEVEL Teach mode selection
canceled, existing game
retained
To select Teach mode, press LEVEL. The display will show the skill
level, as indicated by the equivalent chess board square, alternating
with the level details. To select a Teach mode press the one or two
ENGLISH
11
appropriate Piece Symbol keys (%, $, #, @ or !) that you want to use.
The display will then show the selected pieces. For example, if you
wish to play with Kings, Bishops, Knights, and Pawns, after pressing
LEVEL, you will press # and @. The display will show your selection.
Then press LEVEL to exit Level mode and enter your selection into the
computer and begin your game. Since the King is always required for
the game, you do not need to select this piece for the Teach mode, and
in fact pressing & is the way you select a normal, 32 piece game.
Note that Non Auto is automatically canceled whenever a teach
mode is selected on the existing level mode.
The eleven teach modes and normal game are indicated by the
following displays:
Teach Mode Display
Kings and Pawns ................................................. te:zp
Kings, Knights and Pawns ................................... te:zn
Kings, Bishops and Pawns .................................. te:zb
Kings, Rooks and Pawns..................................... te:zr
Kings, Queens and Pawns ................................... te:zq
Kings, Knights, Bishops and Pawns.................... te:nb
Kings, Knights, Rooks and Pawns....................... te:nr
Kings, Knights, Queens and Pawns .................... te:nq
Kings, Bishops, Rooks and Pawns...................... te:br
Kings, Bishops, Queens and Pawns ................... te:bq
Kings, Rooks, Queens and Pawns ...................... te:rq
All Pieces (normal game) .................................... te:sb
3.12 Openings Coach Mode
The computer has 16 different opening sequences in memory,
which are played through so that you may learn them. Press
OPENINGS COACH and when first selected, the computer will ‘beep’
and the display will flash
oZ:
You can then choose which opening game you wish to review by
pressing one of the squares from A1 to B8 Figure 3-1 lists the
available openings. For example, to select the third openings coach,
press square A3, and oZ:3 will be flashing in the display. This
confirms that the third openings coach has been selected and the two
bars indicate that the computer will display moves for both sides, so
that you can watch and learn. Press the same square again and the
display will change to oz:3, which indicates that the computer will
play the white side and let you work out the moves for black. Another
press on the square changes the bar on the right to show that the
computer will play black while you play white, and a further press will
remove the bars altogether, which means that the computer will leave
all the moves to you while it monitors you for correctness. Press
OPENINGS COACH again, and the display will indicate that you should
move. While you are playing you can press PLAY to ask the computer
to remind you of the next move. Every time you make a correct move,
the computer will confirm the move with a single ‘beep’, but if you are
wrong, it makes a double ‘beep’/‘Uh! Uh!’ and keeps the ‘from’ square
showing on the display. Press the correct ‘to’ square to end the move
or the ‘from’ square to cancel it. At the end of the openings sequence
you may continue and play the game if you wish. The clock is not used
during this mode and Non Auto, when selected, is only in effect after
the opening moves are finished.
Figure 3-1 Moves in Openings Coach
Square Name Moves
A1 Italian Opening e2e4, e7e5, g1f3, b8c6, f1c4,
f8c5
A2 Two Knights Defense e2e4, e7e5, g1f3, b8c6, f1c4,
g8f6
A3 Spanish Opening e2e4, e7e5, g1f3, b8c6, f1b5,
a7a6, b5a4, g8f6, e1g1, b7b5
A4 Sicilian Defense e2e4, c7c5, g1f3, d7d6, d2d4,
c5d4, f3d4, g8f6, b1c3
A5 French Defense e2e4, e7e6, d2d4, d7d5
A6 Caro-Kann Defense e2e4, c7c6, d2d4, d7d5, b1c3,
d5e4
A7 Scandinavian Defense e2e4, d7d5, e4d5, d8d5, b1c3,
d5a5
A8 Alekhine’s Defense e2e4, g8f6, e4e5, f6d5
12
Square Name Moves
B1 Queen’s Gambit d2d4, d7d5, c2c4, e7e6, b1c3,
g8f6, c1g5, f8e7
B2 Queen’s Gambit d2d4, d7d5, c2c4, d5c4
Accepted
B3 Nimzo-Indian Defense d2d4, g8f6, c2c4, e7e6, b1c3,
f8b4
B4 Queen’s Indian d2d4, g8f6, c2c4, e7e6, g1f3,
Defense b7b6
B5 King’s Indian Defense d2d4, g8f6, c2c4, g7g6, b1c3,
f8g7, e2e4, d7d6
B6 Gruenfeld Defense d2d4, g8f6, c2c4, g7g6, b1c3,
d7d5
B7 Dutch Defense d2d4, f7f5, c2c4, g8f6, b1c3,
e7e6
B8 English Opening c2c4, e7e5, b1c3, g8f6, g1f3
Note that the method chosen for playing the Openings Coach is
retained in memory until re-selected.
When you want to get back to playing a normal game, just press
NEW GAME, and you will be returned to the standard board.
3.13 Verify Mode. Check Piece Positions!
If the pieces get knocked over, or you think any of them have been
put in the wrong places, you can get the computer to run a check for
you. Just press the Piece Symbol key for the piece you are
questioning. The computer will show you the symbol for the color and
piece type, along with the square on which it should be placed.
Pressing the key again shows the position of the next piece of that
type, and so on until all such pieces that should be on the board have
been shown. The display shows white pieces first, and then the black
pieces. When there are no more pieces of that type to report, the
display reverts to showing the side to move, and sounds two ‘beeps’ to
get your attention. An example of the sequence of displays is shown
as below:
Key Press Display Shows Meanings
Press @ first time
Press @ second time
Press @ third time
Press @ fourth time
This example indicates that one of the white knights has been
captured, and it is now white to play.
To verify other pieces, repeat the same steps using the other Piece
Symbol keys. When you are finished, simply make your next move.
Meanwhile the clock has been temporarily stopped. The computer
automatically exits Verify Mode if no piece symbol key is pressed within
about 5 seconds.
3.14 Non Auto Mode
Normally, the computer automatically answers with a countermove
whenever you enter a move. If you press NON AUTO the computer
responds with a ‘beep’ and you can then enter all the moves for both
sides, one by one, without allowing the computer to answer! This
special feature can be used in a number of different ways:
• Play through master chess games. It is interesting to press PLAY
to see what the computer would do in any position!
• Study opening book lines by entering them manually.
• Play chess against a friend, with the computer acting as referee to
check the legality of all moves and keep track of the time for both
sides! If you need help with a move, simply press PLAY and the
computer will make the next move. After the move, Non Auto
mode remains in effect, and you can continue your game!
• Replay to any board position for further study.
To exit Non Auto mode and return to normal play, press NON AUTO
once again, and a double ‘beep’ verifies that the mode has been
canceled.
zn:B1
-
n:B8
-
n:F6
zn:zz
(beep, beep)
White Knight on B1
Black Knight on B8
black Knight on F6
no more Knight,
white-to-move
Note that Non Auto mode is also automatically canceled
whenever you press NEW GAME or select a Teach mode on
exiting Level mode.
ENGLISH
13
4 TECHNICAL DET AILS
4.1 The ACL Function
Computers can sometimes “lock up” due to static discharge or other
electrical disturbances. If this should happen, take out the batteries
and use a pin or a similar sharp object to press into the hole marked
ACL in the base of the unit for at least one second. This resets the
computer.
4.2 Care and Maintenance
Your chess computer is a precision electronic device, and should
not be subjected to rough handling or exposed to extreme
temperatures or moisture. Do not use chemicals to clean your unit as
they may damage the plastic.
Weak batteries should be replaced promptly, since they can leak
and damage the computer. Please also note the following regarding the
use of batteries.
batteries. Do not mix different types of batteries or new and used
batteries. Do not recharge non-rechargeable batteries. Use only
the recommended batteries or equivalent. Be sure to observe the
correct polarity when inserting batteries. Worn out batteries
should be removed from the unit promptly. Do not short circuit the
supply terminals.
4.3 Technical Specifications
Clock Frequency: 4.2MHz
Keys: 15
LCD Display: Viewing area 30 x 13 mm
Sound: Mylar speaker
Batteries: 3 AA/AM3/R6 (1.5V) cells
Power Consumption: 40 mW
Dimensions: 173 X 136 X 30 mm
Warning: Use only alkaline or zinc carbon
Saitek reserves the right to make technical changes without notice in the interest
of progress.
14
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
SYMPTOMS
Computer doesn’t react or
“freezes” during a game
Display is dim
Computer will not play a
move
Computer will not accept your
move
The computer seems to be
making illegal moves
The computer is silent
POSSIBLE CAUSES
• Batter ies not inserted properly
• Batter ies are weak or bad
• Static discharge has caused a lockup
• Batter ies are weak
• Non Auto mode activated
• High skill level - computer still thinking
• Is it your turn? Is your King in check? Will
your move leave your King in check? Did
you move the Rook first to initiate castling?
Are you moving to an illegal square?
• The computer is thinking
• You have entered the computer’s last move
incorrectly (pressed the wrong squares)
• The computer has made one of the special
moves such as en passant, castle, or pawn
promotion
• Your board position is incorrect
• The Sound key has been pressed to turn
the sound off
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
• Re-install batteries as shown in Section 1.1
• Replace batter ies
• Use ACL reset as described in Section 1.1
• Replace batter ies
• Press NON AUTO to de-select
• You may force the computer to make a move
by pressing PLAY
• A low tone/“Illegal move” indicates you are
making an error. Check the chess rules.
Use TAKE BACK to reconstruct the last
move
• To interrupt the computer, press PLAY
• Check the displayed move. Press the correct
square to complete the move
• Check the rules
• Verify the board as described in Section 3.13
• Press SOUND to turn it on
ENGLISH
15
QUICK STAR T
To play a game of chess right away, without reading the entire manual first, simply follow these Quick Start steps!
Open the battery
1
compartment at the back of
the computer by pushing the
tab. Insert 3 “AA” (Type
AM3/R6) batteries into the
computer, making sure that
you observe the correct
polarity. Reinstall the
battery door. (Details at
Paragraph 1.1)
Press GO/STOP to turn the
2
game on. If the computer
does not respond, press a
paper clip or similar sharp
object into the hole marked
ACL in the base of the unit
as described in Paragraph
4.1.
Set up the chess pieces in
3
the initial starting position
for a new game, with the
White pieces closest to you.
Press the NEW GAME key
4
to reset the computer for a
new game of chess.
3 x AA/AM3/R6
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Enter moves by executing
5
them on the board, pressing
the chess pieces down
gently into the hole of the
‘from’ and ‘to’ squares for
each move.
As soon as the computer
6
makes a move, that move is
shown in the display
window. Press the
computer’s piece lightly into
the indicated ‘from’ and ‘to’
squares to complete the
computer’s move. That’s all
there is to it!
Make your next move as
described above. Press
GO/STOP at any time to
turn the computer off. Enjoy
your game!
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