Champion 2250 XL Chess Computer
(600-2215)                 Play Level                 Faxback Doc. # 46723

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 include:

  16 normal play levels (A1 through B8)

  8 tournament levels (C1 through C8)

  8 speed levels (D1 through D8)

  7 fun levels (E1 through E7)

  1 indefinite response time level (E8)

  8 problem levels (F1 through F8)

  16 training levels (G1 through H8)

Note: Select your playing level from the 64 board squares.

When you replace batteries or press ACL to reset the computer, it resets
itself to level A5.  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 for the current level.

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 WHITE/- or
BLACK/+ until the display shows the level you want.  To quickly move
through the levels, repeatedly press LEVEL to skip over eight 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 fun levels (E1 through E7) or
training levels (G1 through H8).  The computer purposely makes mistakes
on the fun 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 B8).  These range from easy all the way up to difficult.

Note: When you set the level, keep in mind that the more time the computer
      has to think about its moves, the better it plays.

Fun Levels (E1 - E7)

The seven fun 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 E1 is the easiest, and the computer's playing strength increases
gradually up through level E7.

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

E1                    1 second                       Fun L 1

E2                    2 seconds                      Fun L 2

E3                    3 seconds                      Fun L 3

E4                    4 seconds                      Fun L 4

E5                    5 seconds                      Fun L 5

E6                    6 seconds                      Fun L 6

E7                    7 seconds                      Fun L 7

Note: The time-per-move figure is the average time the computer takes to
      make a move.  During the opening moves of a game, the computer might
      move more quickly.

Training Levels (G1 - 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 G1 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

G1                           train L PLY: 1

G2                           train L PLY: 2

G3                           train L PLY: 3

G4                           train L PLY: 4

G5                           train L PLY: 5

G6                           train L PLY: 6

G7                           train L PLY: 7

G8                           train L PLY: 8

H1                           train L PLY: 9

H2                           train L PLY: 10

H3                           train L PLY: 11

H4                           train L PLY: 12

H5                           train L PLY: 13

H6                           train L PLY: 14

H7                           train L PLY: 15

H8                           train L PLY: 16

Note:  A ply is one of your moves or one of the computer's moves.

Normal Play Levels (A1 - B8)

The 16 normal play levels increases in difficulty from level A1 (the
easiest) to level B8 (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 its moves.

  What the computer displays when you select the level.

Square                  Time Per Move                  Display

A1                      1 second                       Nor _ L 0:01/1

A2                      2 seconds                      Nor _ L 0:02/1

A3                      3 seconds                      Nor _ L 0: 03/1

A4                      5 seconds                      Nor _ L 0: 05/1

A5                      10 seconds                     Nor _ L 0: 10/1

A6                      15 seconds                     Nor _ L 0: 15/1

A7                      20 seconds                     Nor _ L 0: 20/1

A8                      30 seconds                     Nor _ L 0: 30/1

B1                      45 seconds                     Nor _ L 0: 45/1

B2                      1 minute                         Nor _ L 1/1

B3                      2 minutes                        Nor _ L 2/1

B4                      3 minutes                        Nor _ L 3/1

B5                      4 minutes                        Nor _ L 4/1

B6                      5 minutes                        Nor _ L 5/1

B7                      10 minutes                       Nor _ L 10/1

B8                      15 minutes                       Nor _ L 15/1

Note:  The time-per-move figure is the average time the computer takes to
       make each move.  During the opening moves of a game, the computer
       might move more quickly.

Tournament Levels (C1 - C8)

At these levels, you must make a specified number of moves within a given
amount of time.  If you exceed the allotted time making the specified
number of moves the computer beeps, the flag symbol flashes on the display
with the elapsed time (0:00:00), and the game is over.

Note:  When you play at a tournament level, you can set the computer's
       chess clock to display the count-down time instead of the elapsed
       time.  See "Count-Down Clock" in Faxback Doc. # 46725.

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 to complete the selected number of moves.

  What the computer displays when you select the level.

Square        Moves         Time to Make Moves          Display

C1            40            1 Hour 30 Minutes           tourn L 1:30/40

C2            35            1 Hour 45 Minutes           tourn L 1:45/35

C3            40            1 Hour 45 Minutes           tourn L 1:45/40

C4            35            1 Hour 30 Minutes           tourn L 1:30/35

C5            40               2 Hours                  tourn L 2:00/40

C6            45            2 Hours 30 Minutes          tourn L 2:30/45

C7            50               2 Hours                  tourn L 2:00/50

C8            40               3 Hours                  tourn L 3:00/40

Speed Levels (D1 - D8)

At these levels, you must finish the game within a given amount of time.
If you exceed the allotted time, the computer beeps, the flag symbol
appears on the display, and the elapsed time (0:00:00) flashes until you
press any key or board square.

Note:  When you play at a speed level, you can set the computer's chess
       clock to display the count down time instead of the elapsed time.
       See "Count-Down Clock" in Faxback Doc. # 46725.

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

D1                  5 Minutes                 SPEED L 0:05/99

D2                 10 Minutes                 SPEED L 0:10/99

D3                 15 Minutes                 SPEED L 0:15/99

D4                 20 Minutes                 SPEED L 0:20/99

D5                 30 Minutes                 SPEED L 0:30/99

D6                 45 Minutes                 SPEED L 0:45/99

D7                 60 Minutes                 SPEED L 1:00/99

D8                 90 Minutes                 SPEED L 1:30/99

Problem Levels (F1 - F8)

The eight problem levels allow you to set up a position (see "Problem
Setup" in Faxback Doc. # 46724) 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

F1                     Mate in 1               Prob L in 1

F2                     Mate in 2               Prob L in 2

F3                     Mate in 3               Prob L in 3

F4                     Mate in 4               Prob L in 4

F5                     Mate in 5               Prob L in 5

F6                     Mate in 6               Prob L in 6

F7                     Mate in 7               Prob L in 7

F8                     Mate in 8               Prob L in 8

Indefinite Response Time Level (E8)

At E8 (the indefinite response time level), the computer searches until
it finds a forced mate, finds a move in its book memory, fully searches
to a depth of 16 ply, or you stop the search by pressing ENTER.  Use this
level to have the computer analyze complicated positions for hours or even
days.

Note:  If you select the indefinite response time level, we recommend that
       you power your chess computer with an AC adapter to save the
       batteries.

When you select this level, InF in L 9:99/1 appears on the display.

To stop the search and force the computer to make a move, press ENTER.

(LB/eb 3/6/98)

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