14
5.4
Menu: Level
The computer’s levels of playing strength fall into 8 categories: ‘Normal’, ‘Easy’, ‘Fun’, ‘Blitz’, ‘Tournament’,
‘User’, ‘Fixed depth’ and ‘Find mate’.
When you select ‘Level’ from the menu, the current level is displayed. Initially the computer is set to play on
‘Easy’ level 4. On this level it will cut short its calculations after examining 2000 positions.
German:
English:
•
To alter the level category: Press
ñ
or
ò
as many times as necessary until the desired category is
shown.
•
To alter the level number within the category: press
ï
or
ð
as many times as necessary.
(The ‘User’
category is a special case, in which you have to specify a range of parameters.)
•
When the desired level is displayed, press GREEN to select it and return to the ‘info’ screen. (Instead,
a press on RED would return to the menu while leaving the level unchanged.)
5.4.1
Normal levels
On these levels, the computer takes a certain average amount of time per move
–
ranging from 1 second on
Normal level 0, to 3 minutes on Normal level 9. (The average is measured over a 10-move sequence.)
5.4.2
Easy levels
In this category of 8 levels, the computer plays at reduced strength, to give practice to inexperienced
opponents. It cuts short its calculations after examining a certain number of positions (125 on the lowest of
the ‘Easy’ levels; 16,000 on the highest).
One way to make the game even easier is to switch off the openings books (see Sections 5.11.3 and 5.1.4)
–
while increasing the Randomness (see 5.11.6) to ensure variety. You can also reduce the speed of the
processor (see 5.18.8).
On the ‘Easy’ levels, the “Permanent Brain’ is never active even if it has been switched ‘on’. See Section
5.11.5).
5.4.3
Fun levels
These are similar to ‘Easy’ levels 0-5, but in addition the computer deliberately plays some moves it
considers inferior. From ‘Fun 0’ to ‘Fun 5’, the seriousness of the errors decreases.
Like the ‘Easy’ levels, the ‘Fun’ levels don’t use the ‘Permanent Brain’ (see 5.11.5) even when it is ‘on’.
On the ‘Fun’ levels, the ‘Tutor’ (see Section 5.11.2) is also inactive because The King cannot properly assess
the position.
5.4.4
Blitz levels
These levels simulate a game of ‘bullet’, ‘blitz’ or ‘rapid’ chess: the computer and the user have to play all
their moves within a specific amount of time. The allotted time ranges from 2 minutes on Blitz level 0, to 1
hour on Blitz level 8.
If a player exceeds the time limit, the ‘clock’ screens show the following:
