Mega 2050X Chess Computer
(600-2441) Play Levels Faxback Doc. # 33670
When you play against the computer you can select a play level that matches
your skill level. You can also select from many time-controlled play
levels, including several that simulate tournament play. Some of the levels
even let you use the computer to learn chess strategies or analyze chess
problems.
The 64 different play levels (from left to right) include:
(See Faxback Doc. # ______ )
15 normal play levels (A1 through G2)
1 indefinite response time level (H2)
8 tournament levels (A3 through H3)
8 sudden death levels (A4 through H4)
8 beginner levels (A5 through H5)
8 mate search levels (A6 through H6)
16 training levels (A7 through H8)
When you install batteries or press ACL to reset the computer, it resets
itself to level D1. After that, the computer remains on the last selected
level.
To see the current level, press LEVEL. The computer beeps and the display
shows the code of the current level.
LEVEL CODE DISPLAYS (See Faxback Doc. # ______ )
When you select a level, the display shows information about that level.
For example, if you choose level B2, the display shows L 1:00. L means that
the computer is set to a normal play level, and 1:00 (one minute) is the
average amount of time the computer has to calculate each move during a
game. See "Normal Play Levels (A1 through G2)", below.
CHANGING THE LEVEL
To change the current level, press LEVEL, then press the square on the game
board that corresponds to the level you want. Or. press (BLACK [] ) / > or
(WHITE [] ) / < until the display shows the level you want. Then press
ENTER to select the displayed level.
To quickly move through the levels, repeatedly press LEVEL to skip over 8
levels at a time.
When the computer displays the level you want, simply press ENTER, then
continue the current game. Or press CLEAR to remain on the last selected
level. You can change the level at any time during a game.
CHOOSING A LEVEL
If you are a beginner, start out with the beginner levels (A5 through H5)
or training levels (A7 through H8). The computer purposely makes mistakes
on the beginner levels so you can beat the computer and learn while you
play. The training levels restrict the computer's search depth, resulting
in weaker play.
If you are an intermediate or advanced player, try the normal play levels
(A1 through G2). These range from easy all the way up to difficult.
NOTE: When you set the level, keep in mind that when the computer has more
time to think about its moves, it plays better.
Beginner Levels (A5 through H5)
The eight beginner levels let beginners and average players play (and win)
more easily than in other levels. The computer makes common mistakes such
as leaving pieces unprotected, failing to capture unprotected pieces, and
capturing pieces while leaving the king unprotected.
Level A5 is the easiest, and the computer's playing strength increases
gradually up through level H5.
The following table shows:
The square you press to select the level (after you press LEVEL)
The average amount of time the computer takes to determine its move
What the computer displays when you select the level
Square Time Per move Display
A5 1 Second bEG: 1
B5 2 Seconds bEG: 2
C5 3 Seconds bEG: 3
D5 4 Seconds bEG: 4
E5 5 Seconds bEG: 5
F5 6 Seconds bEG: 6
G5 7 Seconds bEG: 7
H5 8 Seconds bEG: 8
NOTE: The time-per-move figure is the average amount of time the computer
takes to make a move. During the opening moves of a game, the
computer might move more quickly.
Training Levels (A7 through H8)
The 16 training levels are designed especially for beginners. At the lower
training levels, the computer moves almost instantaneously, not allowing
itself to study a move in any depth.
Level A7 is the easiest, and the computer's playing strength increases
gradually up through Level H8.
The following table shows:
The Square you press to select the level (after you press LEVEL)
The number of ply the computer will search to find a move
Square Display
A7 PLY: 1
B7 PLY: 2
C7 PLY: 3
D7 PLY: 4
E7 PLY: 5
F7 PLY: 6
G7 PLY: 7
H7 PLY: 8
A8 PLY: 9
B8 PLY: 10
C8 PLY: 11
D8 PLY: 12
E8 PLY: 13
F8 PLY: 14
G8 PLY: 15
H8 PLY: 16
NOTE: A ply is one of your moves or one of the computer's moves. The
number after PLY: shows the number of moves the computer will search
ahead to find a move.
Normal Play Levels (A1 through G2)
The 15 normal play levels increase in difficulty from level A1 (the
easiest) to level G2 (the most difficult).
The following table shows:
The square you press to select the level (after you press LEVEL)
The average amount of time the computer takes to determine is move
What the computer displays when you select the level
Square Time Per Move Display
A1 1 second L 0:01
B1 2 seconds L 0:02
C1 3 seconds L 0:03
D1 5 seconds L 0:05
E1 10 seconds L 0:10
F1 15 seconds L 0:15
G1 20 seconds L 0:20
H1 30 seconds L 0:30
A2 45 seconds L 0:45
B2 1 minute L 1:00
C2 1 minute, L 1:30
30 seconds
D2 2 minutes L 2:00
E2 3 minutes L 3:00
F2 5 minutes L 5:00
G2 10 minutes L 10:00
NOTE: The time-per-move figure is the average amount of time the computer
takes to make each move. During the opening moves of a game, the
computer might move more quickly.
Tournament Levels (A3 through H3)
At these levels, you must make a specified number of moves within a given
amount of time. If you exceed the allotted time before making the specified
number of moves, the computer beeps and time flashes on the display with
the elapsed time.
NOTES: When you play at a tournament level, you can set the computer's
chess clock to display the countdown time instead of the elapsed
time. See "Countdown Clock (E1)", on Faxback Doc. # 33673.
When you play at a tournament level, the computer times itself and
you. See "Computer's Remaining time in a Sudden Death/Tournament
Game" and "Your Remaining Time in a Sudden Death/Tournament Game",
on Faxback Doc. # 33672.
The following table shows:
The square you, press to select the level (after you press LEVEL)
The number of moves you must make within the allotted time
The allotted time for the game
What the computer displays when you select the level
Square Moves Time Per Game Display (Alternating)
A3 40 1 Hour 30 Minutes tr40/1:30:00
B3 35 1 Hour 45 Minutes tr35/1:45:00
C3 40 1 Hour 45 Minutes tr40/1:45:00
D3 35 1 Hour 30 Minutes tr35/1:30:00
E3 40 2 Hours tr40/2:00:00
F3 45 2 Hours 30 Minutes tr45/2:30:00
G3 50 2 Hours tr50/2:00:00
H3 40 3 Hours tr40/3:00:00
Sudden Death Levels (A4 through H4)
At these levels, you must finish the game within a given amount of time.
If you exceed the allotted time, the computer beeps and time flashes on the
display with the elapsed time.
NOTES: When you pay at a sudden death level, you can set the computer's
chess clock to display the countdown time instead of the elapsed
time. See "Countdown Clock (E1)", on Faxback Doc. # 33673.
When you play at a sudden death level, the computer times itself
and you. See "Computer's Remaining Time in a Sudden Death
Tournament Game" and "Your Remaining Time in a Sudden Death/
Tournament Game", on Faxback Doc. # 33672.
The following table shows:
The square you press to select the level (after you press LEVEL)
The maximum amount of time allowed for the game
What the computer displays when you select the level
Square Time Per Game Display
A4 5 Minutes bL : 5
B4 10 Minutes bL :10
C4 15 Minutes bL :15
D4 20 Minutes bL :20
E4 30 Minutes bL :30
F4 45 Minutes bL :45
G4 60 Minutes bL :60
H4 90 Minutes bL :90
Mate Search Levels (A6 through H6)
The eight mate search levels allow you to set up a position (see "Problem
Setup", on Faxback Doc. # 33671) and let the computer try to checkmate the
opponent's king within 1 to 8 moves, regardless of the opponent's defense.
The computer searches for the shortest possible solution to checkmate
problems. If no checkmate is possible or the computer cannot find a
checkmate, it sounds an error beep. Then you must change levels to return
to normal play.
The following table shows
The square you press to select the level (after you press LEVEL)
The mate problem the computer will try to solve
What the computer displays when you select the level
Square Problem Display
A6 Mate in 1 -/+ in: 1
B6 Mate in 2 -/+ in: 2
C6 Mate in 3 -/+ in: 3
D6 Mate in 4 -/+ in: 4
E6 Mate in 5 -/+ in: 5
F6 Mate in 6 -/+ in: 6
G6 Mate in 7 -/+ in: 7
H6 Mate in 8 -/+ in: 8
Indefinite Response Time Level (H2)
At H2 (the indefinite response time level), the computer searches until it
finds a forced mate or you stop the search by pressing ENTER. Use this
level to have the computer analyze complicated positions for hours or even
days.
When you select this level, the computer displays 9:99:99.
To stop the search and force the computer to make a move, press ENTER.
(WL/EB 5/30/96)
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