Master Chess Computer
(600-2217)                 Game Options               Faxback Doc. # 62202

The computer's game options let you select the computer's optional 
features any time before or during a game.   These options control how the 
computer works, selects moves, and displays information during play.

The game options (as illustrated on Faxback Doc. # 62205) are divided into 
the following groups:

  Operation mode

  Playing mode 

  Rotating display

The chart shows the default setting that each option is set to when you 
install batteries or press ACL to reset the computer.

Each group of game options contains 8 different settings. The Playing Mode 
group includes opening book options.

Notes: When the computer displays an option, it also displays (+) or (-)
       before the option.  (+) shows that the option is on, and (-) that
       it is off.

       The only two options that reset to the default when you start a new
       game are Auto Answer (A1) and Play White from the Top (H1).

Selecting And Changing Options

1.  Choose the option group containing the setting you want to change by
    pressing OPTION.

      Once to select the Operation Mode group (see "Operation Mode Options
      (A1-H1)").

      Twice to select the Playing Mode group (see "Playing Mode Options
      (A2-C2)" below).

      Three times to select the Rotating Display group (see "Rotating
      Display Options (A3-H3)" below).

    The display shows the first option in the option group you selected.

2.  Repeatedly press </WHITE or BLACK/> until the display shows the option
    you want to change.  For example, if you want to change option C1
    (silent mode), press BLACK/> twice.

    The display shows (+) (if the option is on) or (-) (if the option is
    off).

3.  To change the option's setting, either press ENTER or the board square 
    corresponding to the option.

4.  Press CLEAR to continue a game, or repeat Steps 1-3 to select and
    change another option.

Operation Mode Options (A1-H1)

Playing Against Another Person (A1)

The computer is preset to display a countermove when you enter a move.
However, you can set the computer so it will not answer with a countermove 
when you make a move by setting this option to (-).

This option lets you use the computer as a referee when you play against 
another person, enter a series of moves, or replay a part of a game.

Notes: If you are playing against another person and set this option to
       (-), either player can still have the computer suggest a move by
       pressing INFO.

       If you are playing against another person and set this option to
       (-), either player can have the computer enter a move for them by
       pressing ENTER. The display shows the move entered by the computer.

Sound (B1)

The computer is preset to beep whenever you press a key or square.
However, you can set the computer so it does not beep by setting this 
option to (-).

Note: Regardless of the setting, the computer beeps when it moves or when
      you make an illegal move or press a wrong key (unless you set silent
      mode to (+).  See "Silent Mode (C1)").

Silent Mode (C1)

The computer is preset to beep whenever you make an illegal move or press 
any square or key.  However, you can set the computer so it does not beep 
at all by, setting this option to (+).

Ticking Clock (D1)

The computer's clock is preset to make no sound.  However, you can set the 
computer so the clock ticks like a real chess clock by setting this option 
to (+).

Note: The computer's clock continues to tick even if you turn on one of
      the rotating display options. See "Rotating Display Options (A3-H3)"
      below.

Count-Down Clock (E1)

The computer's clock is preset to count up the elapsed time as you play.
However, if you are playing at a tournament or sudden death level (for 
example), you can set the clock so it counts down instead of counting up, 
by setting this option to (+).

Text Program (F1)

This option is designed for use by service personnel, who use it to 
display troubleshooting information.

If you accidentally bring up this display, press ENTER and CLEAR at the 
same time to clear it.

Automatic Power-Off (G1)

The computer is preset to stay on until you press GO/STOP.  However, by 
setting this option to (+), you can set the computer so it turns itself 
off after 15 minutes if you do not press a key or make a move.

Notes: The computer saves game information when it turns itself off (if
       batteries are installed).

       The computer will not turn itself off while it is computing a move.

After the computer turns itself off, press GO/STOP to turn it back on and 
continue playing the same game.

Playing White from the Top of the Game Board (H1)

The computer is preset to play the black pieces on the top of the game 
board and have you play the white pieces on the bottom.  However, by 
setting this option to (+) you can play the white pieces from the top of 
the game board.  After setting the option, you need to press CLEAR to 
begin a new game.

With this option set to (+):

  Set up the board with the black pieces closest to you.

  The display shows the rank and file coordinates in reverse.  However the
  rank and file indicators along the sides of the board show the correct 
  coordinate.  For example, if the display shows a move to E3, the actual
  coordinate on the board is D6.

Playing Mode Options (A2-C2)

The computer's playing mode options lets you control how the computer 
selects moves during play.

Search Algorithms (A2)

The computer contains two types of search algorithms it can use to search 
for moves during play: selective search and brute force.

The selective search algorithms help the computer limit its search for 
moves to only those most likely to be successful.

The brute force algorithm allows the computer to check every move 
possibility during play, but results in slower play.

The computer is preset to use the selective search algorithm (except 
during mate search play).  To set the computer so it uses the brute force 
algorithm to search for moves, set this option to (-).

Easy Mode (B2)

The computer is preset to use the time during your move to compute its own 
move. However, you can set the computer so it computes only during its own 
turn, by setting this option to (+).  This makes it easier for you to beat 
the computer by giving it less time to search for moves.

Random Mode (C2)

The computer is preset to select moves that are similar in type and 
difficulty during a game.  However, you can set the computer so it chooses 
moves randomly during its own turn, by setting this option to (+).  This 
lets you see and react to a greater variety of moves during a game, and 
results in more difficult play.

Opening Books (D2-H2)

The computer's opening book memory contains most major opening strategies 
so the computer can respond more rapidly during a game's opening moves.
The computer has the following opening books:

  Passive      Normal
  Active       Abnormal 

You can influence the computer's style of play by changing any of these 
options.  When you select an option, the computer selects positions more 
often from that option.  When you deselect an option, the computer selects 
fewer positions from that option.

Note: After you play through the computer's opening book, changing these 
      options has no effect on how the computer plays.  However, the
      computer will continue to play in response to the style of your
      opening moves.

Passive Book (D2)

The computer is preset to chose opening moves that follow active openings 
and open positions.  However you can set the computer so it will choose 
moves that follow more passive and closed strategies, by setting this 
option to (+).

Note: If you set this option to (+), the computer automatically sets
      option E2 (Active Book) to (-).

Active Book (E2)

The computer is preset to choose opening moves that stress active plays 
and gambits.  However, you can set the computer so it will choose moves 
that stress more passive plays and gambits by setting this option to (-).

Note: If you set this option to (-), the computer automatically sets
      option D2 (Passive Book) to (+).

Complete Book (F2)

The computer is preset to choose only some of the moves from its opening 
book.  However, you can set the computer so it can chose any move from its 
opening book by setting this option to (+).

Note: If you set this option to (+), the computer might make questionable
      or illogical moves during play.  This is because its opening book
      contains responses to many known lines of play (even illogical ones)
      in case the opponent plays them.

Tournament Book (G2)

The computer is preset to choose from wide variety of moves, ranging in 
difficulty from easy to difficult.  However, you can set the computer so 
it will choose only the most efficient moves, by setting this option to 
(+).

Note: If you set this option to (+), the computer plays extremely well and
      is almost unbeatable.  However, this option also narrows the
      computer's choice of moves, and makes the computer's responses to
      moves more limited.

Book On/Off (H2)

The computer is preset to select moves from one or more opening books 
during the first few moves of a game.  However, you can set the computer 
so it cannot use any of its opening books by setting this option to (-).

Note: If you set this option to (-), the computer must compute a response
      to an opponent's move "from scratch," resulting in slower play.

Rotating Display Options (A3-H3)

The computer's rotating display option lets you continuously see the game 
information described in "Viewing Game Information" in Faxback Doc. # 
62201 while it computes a move, without interrupting the game in progress.

Follow the steps in "Selecting and Changing Options" above to select the 
statistics you want the computer to display.  As it computes its move, the 
computer displays each statistic you select, one at a time, at 1-second 
intervals.

Notes: The computer does not display the count-up game clock while it
       rotates display information.

       The computer displays ----- if it has not yet computed the option.

You can select any of the following statistics for display:

  Principal Variation, First Move (A3) - the first countermove and the 
  first play the computer is currently considering (see "Principal 
  Variation" in Faxback Doc. # 62201).

  Principal Variation, Second Move (B3) - the second countermove and the 
  second play the computer is currently considering.

  Principal Variation, Third Move (C3) - the third countermove and the 
  third play the computer is currently considering.

  Principal Variation, Fourth Move (D3) - the fourth countermove and the 
  fourth play the computer is currently considering.

  Position Evaluation (E3) - the computer's current evaluation rating (see 
  "Search Information" in Faxback Doc. # 62201).

  Note: The computer will not display an evaluation rating while set to a 
        mate search level.

  Current Search Depth (F3) - the computer's current search depth.

  Note: The computer will not display search depth information while set 
        to a mate search level.

  Position Total (G3) - the current number of positions per second that 
  the computer is checking while determining its countermove.

  Elapsed Time Per Move (H3) - the elapsed time since the last move (see
  "Chess Clocks" in Faxback Doc. # 62201).

If the computer displays the statistics too quickly, press INFO to freeze 
the display, then repeatedly press </WHITE or Black/> to view each 
statistic.  To unfreeze the display, press OPTION, then press CLEAR.

(BR EB 9/28/00)

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