6
assistance!
To accept the hint as your move, simply make the
suggested move on the board. If you would rather make a
different move, disregard the hint and press another piece
to make a move of your own.
2.6 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 feature can be very useful on the higher
levels, where the computer can take a long time to move,
and on the Infinite Level, where the computer keeps
thinking indefinitely unless you stop it!
On the Mate Finder Level or Combination Level press-
ing PLAY does not cause the computer to make a move.
Instead, the computer sounds a double beep to indicate it
was interrupted before it found a mate or solution. To
continue your game, switch to another playing level.
2.7 Changing Sides with the Computer
To change sides with the computer, press PLAY when
it is your turn to move. The computer will make the next
move for your side. Change sides as often as you wish!
To see the computer play chess against itself, simply
press PLAY after each move—watch as it plays for both
sides of the board, one move after another. Study its
strategies—you might improve your own game!
2.8 Game Information
In a normal game of chess, you would never ask your
opponent what move he was thinking about, nor would
you question him as to how he would evaluate the current
position. When playing against this chess computer,
however, you can do just that! Upon request, it will show
you the move it is considering and evaluate the position
for you. Studying this information can help you to learn
more about chess!
Position Evaluation: You may get the computer’s
evaluation of your position by pressing EVALUATE
while
the computer is thinking
at a level other than Mate Finder
or Combination Finder Levels.
Positions are evaluated on
a scale from 1 to 8, as indicated by board lights 1 through
8. In a balanced position, for example, board lights 4 or 5
may be on. If the side playing from the bottom improves
its position, board lights 6, 7, or 8 may come on. Light 8
represents a great material advantage for the side playing
from the bottom—most probably a won position! When
the computer thinks the side playing from the top has a
won position, board light 1 turns on. Watch the evaluation
change as the computer searches deeper and considers
more moves!
Note: Evaluation is not valid at Mate Finder or Combi-
nation Finder Levels as the computer uses special search
algorithms.
Display Computer’s Current Best Move:
Whenever
the computer is thinking at a level other than Mate Finder
or Problem Levels,
press and hold down DISPLAY MOVE
to see the move the computer currently considers the
best. The move is indicated with flashing board lights—
the from square and the to square alternately. Watch
carefully, and you may see the computer change its mind
about a move!
Note: No move will be displayed if DISPLAY MOVE is
held down while the computer is considering at Mate
Finder Level or Combination Finder Level.
2.9 Verifying Piece Positions
If you should knock over the pieces, or if you think the
position might be wrong, you can have the computer
verify the piece locations for you! On your turn, press one
of the Piece Symbol keys. The computer will identify that
piece by name, and it will also use the board lights to
show you where the first piece of that type is located.
Steadily lit board lights indicate White pieces, and flash-
ing lights indicate Black pieces.
Press the same Piece Symbol key repeatedly to see
the locations of more pieces of that same type. When
there are no more pieces of that type, a beep will sound.
Repeat this procedure using the other Piece Symbol
keys, verifying the entire board, if desired!
Since the voice announces the pieces as you move
them during the game, this feature can also be used for a
quick verification! Pressing any one of
your
pieces when it
is your turn to move identifies that piece (e.g.,
Queen
). If
the piece you have pressed is not the piece you are
currently intending to move, simply press that piece again
to turn its board lights off; then make another move of
your choice.
Pressing down on any one of
your opponent’s
pieces
also identifies that piece, along with its color (e.g.,
Black
Bishop - illegal move
).
2.10 Non Auto Mode
Normally, the computer automatically answers with a
countermove whenever you enter a move. If you press
NON AUTO to enter Non Auto Mode, however, you can
enter any number of moves one by one, without allowing
the computer to answer! This feature can be used in a
number of unique ways:
• Play through master chess games. 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 by checking the legality of all moves. If
you need help with a move, simply press PLAY and
the computer will make the next move. After it has
moved, Non Auto Mode remains in effect, and you
TIPS ON CHOOSING A PLAYING LEVEL!
• Are you a beginning player?
Start out with the
Fun Levels, the Beginner Levels, or the lower
Fixed Depth Levels. These levels all restrict the
computer’s search depth, resulting in weaker
play, and giving you the chance to learn about the
game and perhaps even win!
• Are you an intermediate or more advanced
chess player?
Try the Normal Levels or the
higher Fixed Depth Levels. The Normal Playing
Levels range from easy all the way up to a more
difficult three-minute response time on Level H8.
The Fixed Depth Levels allow you to set your
desired search depth—after you beat the com-
puter on one level, go on to the next!
• Learn by watching the computer!
Study the
different styles of play based on the type of
search (Tactical vs. Normal Levels), and the type
of play (Quiet vs. Aggressive Levels)!
• Want to practice your offense?
Try out the
Practice Levels, where the computer will very
conveniently and obligingly position its pieces so
that they may be easily attacked!
• Want to experiment?
Use the Mate Finder Level
to solve problems up to mate in four—try search-
ing from a position in one of your own games!