Master Chess Computer
(600-2217) Play Levels Faxback Doc. # 62199
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 (illustrated in Faxback Doc. # 62206)include:
16 training levels (A7 through H8)
8 mate search levels (A6 through H6)
8 beginner levels (A5 through H5)
8 sudden death levels (A4 through H4)
8 tournament levels (A3 through H3)
1 indefinite response time level (H2)
15 normal play levels (A1 through G2)
Note: For more details on various levels, see "Choosing a Level" below.
When you install batteries or press ACL to reset the computer, it resets
itself to level D1 (a normal play level). Otherwise, 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.
For example, if level B2 is selected, 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 maximum amount of time the computer has to calculate each move during
a game. See "Choosing a Level" below.
The table on Faxback Doc. # 62207 shows the code that appears for each
play level.
Changing The Level
Follow these steps to change the current play level at any time during a
game.
1. Press LEVEL.
2. Press the square on the game board that corresponds to the level you
want. Or, repeatedly press </WHITE or BLACK/> until the display shows
the level you want.
To quickly skip through eight levels at a time, press LEVEL.
3. 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.
Choosing A Level
If you are a beginner, start out with the beginner levels (A5 through H8)
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.
Hint: When you set the level, keep in mind that the more time the computer
has to think about its moves, the better it plays.
Beginner Levels (A5-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 on the board you press to select the 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 time the computer takes to
make a move. During the opening moves of a game, the computer might
move more quickly.
Training Levels (A7-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. The number of plays the computer
will search to find a move (a play is one of your moves or one of the
computer's moves).
Square Display
A7 PLAY: 1
B7 PLAY: 2
C7 PLAY: 3
D7 PLAY: 4
E7 PLAY: 5
F7 PLAY: 6
G7 PLAY: 7
H7 PLAY: 8
A8 PLAY: 9
B8 PLAY: 10
C8 PLAY: 11
D8 PLAY: 12
E8 PLAY: 13
F8 PLAY: 14
G8 PLAY: 15
H8 PLAY: 16
Normal Play Levels (A1-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.
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
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 time the computer takes to
make each move. During the opening moves of a game, the computer
might move more quickly.
Tournament Levels (A3-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, tInE (time) flashes on the
display with the elapsed time, and the game is over.
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 "Count-Down Clock (E1)" in Faxback Doc. # 62202.
When you play at a tournament level, the computer times both itself
and you. See "Remaining Time in a Sudden Death/Tournament Game" in
Faxback Doc. # 62201.
The following table shows:
The square you press to select the 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 tr 40/1:30:00
B3 35 1 Hour 45 Minutes tr 35/1:45:00
C3 40 1 Hour 45 Minutes tr 40/1:45:00
D3 35 1 Hour 30 Minutes tr 35/1:30:00
E3 40 2 Hours tr 40/2:00:00
F3 45 2 Hours 30 Minutes tr 45/2:30:00
G3 50 2 Hours tr 50/2:00:00
H3 40 3 Hours tr 40/3:00:00
Sudden Death Levels (A4-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 tInE (time)
flashes on the display with the elapsed time.
Notes: When you play at a sudden death level, you can set the computer's
chess clock to display the count-down time instead of the elapsed
time. See "Count-Down Clock (E1)" in Faxback Doc. # 62201.
When you play at a sudden death level, the computer times itself
and you. See "Remaining Time in a Sudden Death/Tournament Game" in
Faxback Doc. # 62201.
The following table shows:
The square you press to select the 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-H6)
The eight mate search levels allow you to set up a position (see "Problem
Setup" in Faxback Doc. # 62200) 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.
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 ( T ) in: 1
_
B6 Mate in 2 ( T ) in: 2
_
C6 Mate in 3 ( T ) in: 3
_
D6 Mate in 4 ( T ) in: 4
_
E6 Mate in 5 ( T ) in: 5
_
F6 Mate in 6 ( T ) in: 6
_
G6 Mate in 7 ( T ) in: 7
_
H6 Mate in 8 ( T ) in: 8
Indefinite Response Time Level (H2)
At level H2, 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 during play at this level and force the computer to
make a move, press ENTER.
(BR EB 9/28/00)
Privacy Policy