CXG Sphinx, User Manual

Page: 8 / 19

9. LEVELS OF PLAY
The operating key marked LEVEL - which can be used any time when it is
your turn to move - enables you to alter the speed and strength of the
computer's play. When you press this key, the corresponding light on the
control panel comes on. You can now choose between sixty-four different
"levels". On level 1, the computer takes an average of five seconds per
move. On higher levels, it takes more time and its playing strength is
correspondingly increased; the average for level 64 is 20 to 25 seconds per
move.
You select the level by pressing the appropriate square on the chessboard.
This is explained by the table on Pages 6 to
7.
On some levels (as indicated in the table), the computer will warn you of
attacks on your pieces, as described in Section 6. On other levels, it will
only warn you of check.
Also note that on some levels, whenever you make your move, the
machine automatically responds by computing a move for the other side -
as we have already seen. These levels are indicated by "AUTOMATIC
RESPONSE" in the table. On other levels, the machine
will not compute
a move unless you use the MOVE key to instruct it to do so. See Section
11.
LEVEL SETTING
1.
Press LEVEL key once. A "beep" should occur.
2.
Press a square corresponding to the desired level, e.g.
"HI"
once. A
"beep" should follow.
s. Press LEVEL key again once. A "beep" acknowledges acceptance of
the entry.
4. Commence playing.
6