• On NORMAL playing style the computer will concentrate equally on attacking and
defending.
• On AGGRESSIVE playing style the computer will concentrate on attacking the opponent,
and will normally avoid exchanging pieces if possible.
• On DEFENSIVE playing style the computer will concentrate on building a solid defensive
position, it will make many pawn moves, and it will normally exchange pieces
whenever possible.
• On RANDOM playing style the computer will make many pawn moves, and will
sometimes make a strange move rather than always playing the best move.
The first time you turn the computer on, the level is level 6 and the playing style is NOR-
MAL. After that the computer retains the current level and playing style, even if you turn the
computer off or press the NEW GAME key.
To change the level or the playing style:
1. Press the LEVEL key to enter the level setting mode. The computer shows the current
level and playing style (A6 for level 6 and NORMAL playing style).
2. Look in the table above, and find the square that corresponds to the level and playing
style, you want to select. Press that square on the board.
3. Press the LEVEL key again to exit from the level setting mode. Then make a move by
entering the FROM and TO squares, or press the PLAY key and let the computer make
a move.
To check the level number or playing style WITHOUT changing the level:
1. Press the LEVEL key to enter the level setting mode. The computer will show the current
level (A6 for level 6 and NORMAL playing style).
2. Press the LEVEL key again to exit from the level setting mode.
You can change or check the level and playing style at any time during the game, when
it is your time to move.
XI. MATE PROBLEMS
Level 15 is a special MATE LEVEL for solving mate problems up to mate in 5 moves, if
given enough time. To solve a mate problem:
The computer has 13 different levels of difficulty plus 3 special levels:
• Levels 1-5 are special beginner levels for children and beginners, where the computer
sometimes makes mistakes on purpose, by overlooking threats or by placing pieces on
squares where they can be immediately captured. On level 1 the computer will make lots
of mistakes, and even sometimes place a piece on a square where it can be
immediately captured by a pawn. Playing on this level is a good way to learn how the
pieces move. You can also switch to level 1 if you are losing a game and want the
computer to make a few mistakes. On level 2 the computer will also make lots of
mistakes, but it will never place a piece on a square where it can be immediately
captured by a pawn. On level 3 the computer will make a couple of mistakes per game.
On level 4 the computer will on average make only one mistake per game, and it will
place the queen on a square where it can be immediately captured. On level 5 the
computer will overlook certain forks and mate threats, but it will never place pieces on
squares where they can be immediately captured. The computer moves almost
instantly on all these levels.
• Levels 6-13 give a range of time settings from 5 seconds per move to 2 hours per move.
The playing strength on these levels ranges from beginner to intermediate. Level 6 is for
blitz chess (5 seconds per move), level 8 is for fast chess (30 seconds per move), and
level 10 is for tournament chess (3 minutes per move). The times are approximate
average response times. The computer will spend more time in complicated positions
and less time in simple positions and in the endgame. The computer thinks in your time
too, so sometimes it will be able to move instantly, because you made the move it had
anticipated! The program also moves instantly when it plays a move from the opening
library.
• Level 14 is a special analysis level that will analyze the position for around 24 hours or
until you terminate the search by pressing the PLAY key (see TERMINATING SEARCH
later). This is very useful for analyzing a position or for playing postal chess against the
computer.
• Level 15 is a special MATE LEVEL for solving mate problems (see MATE PROBLEMS
later).
• Level 0 is a special MULTI MOVE mode that allows two persons to play against each
other, while the computer checks that the moves are legal (see MULTI MOVE later).
The computer also has 4 different playing styles:
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