User manual SAITEK CENTURION

QUICK START KEYS AND FEATURES INTRODUCTION 1. LET'S GET STARTED! 1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter 1.2 Ready to Play? Here's How to Move! 1.3 Now It's the Computer's Turn 1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back! 1.5 Game Over? Why Not Play Again! 1.6 Too Easy/Hard? Change the Level! 2. MORE FEATURES TO EXPLORE 2.1 Whose Move? Check the Display! 2.2 Special Chess Moves 2.3 Illegal Moves 2.4 Check, Mate, and Draw 2.5 Interrupting the Computer's Search 2.6 Changing Sides with the Computer 2.7 Built-In Openings 2.8 Thinking on the Opponent's Time 2.9 Game Memory 3. THE PLAYING LEVELS Setting a Playing Level 3.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B7) 3.2 Infinite Level (Square B8) 3.3 Tournament Levels (Squares C1-C8) 3.4 Blitz Levels (Squares D1-D8) 3.5 Fun Levels (Squares E1-E8) 3.6 Mate Search Levels (Squares F1-F8) 3.7 Training Levels (Squares G1-G8) 3.8 Self-Adaptive Weak Levels (Squares H1-H8) 4. INFO MODE: WATCH THE COMPUTER THINK! Using Info Mode 4.1 Principal Variation 4.2 Search Information 4.3 Chess Clock Information 4.4 Move Count/Game Moves 4.5 Want a Hint? Just Ask! 5. OPTIONS FOR FUN AND VARIETY Selecting Game Options 5.1 Operation Mode Options (Squares A1-H1) 5.2 Rotating Display Options (Squares A3-H3) 5.3 Bronstein Clock Options (Square A4) 6. TEACH MODE: LEARN ABOUT TACTICS! Using the Teach Modes 7. STUDY MODE: TRY RATING YOURSELF! Understanding ELO Ratings Using Study Mode 8. VERIFYING/SETTING UP POSITIONS 8.1 Verifying Positions 8.2 Changing and Setting Up Positions 9. TECHNICAL DETAILS 9.1 The ACL Function 9.2 Care and Maintenance 9.3 Technical Specifications TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE APPENDIX: 20 STUDY GAMES Tip: To conserve energy and extend battery life, turn on the Auto Power Down option (see Section 5.1). 1.2 Ready to Play? Here's How to Move! Okay, now it's time to start a game! It's so easy--just follow these steps: a. Press GO/STOP to turn the computer on, if you haven't already done so. b. Press the CLEAR and ENTER keys together to reset the computer for a NEW GAME of chess. Set up the pieces in their starting positions, with the White pieces nearest to you, as shown in the Quick Start. c. To make a move, lightly press down on the piece you want to move until you hear a beep and two board lights turn on to indicate that square. The sensory board will recognize your piece automatically. Don't believe it? Just look at the display window, which is suddenly full of information--it shows your piece, along with the piece color and the square you just pressed! d. Take that piece and gently press it down on the square to which you are moving. You'll hear a second beep as the computer confirms your move. That's it--you've just made your first move of the game! Next, it's Black's turn--and the computer will make its first move. You'll notice that the computer often moves instantly at the beginning of a game, instead of taking time to think. This is because it is playing from memory, using a built-in "book" of opening moves (for more information, see Section 2.7). 1.3 Now It's the Computer's Turn INTRODUCTION We'd like to welcome you to the exciting world of computer chess! Whether you're just starting to learn about this great game or you're already a seasoned player, using your new chess computer will give you the opportunity to discover so much more about chess than you ever thought possible! Take a look through this manual to get an overview of your computer's capabilities--all the special features and modes, all the unique options and playing levels. And take advantage of them over time, one by one! You'll have great fun--and you'll never look at chess the same way again! Your computer knows all the rules of chess--and it will never cheat! For those of you who haven't played before, we have included a brief overview of the rules to get you started. For more detailed information, why not visit your local library, where you're sure to find lots of interesting chess books! When the computer makes its move, it beeps and turns on two board lights indicating the square of the piece it wants to move. It also shows its full move in the display window. Check it out--you'll see the from and to squares of the computer's move, along with the color and type of piece it is moving. Notice that the from square is flashing in the display. Press the indicated piece down on the from square until you hear a beep. The to square is now flashing in the display-- move that same piece to the indicated to square and press it down to complete the computer's move. And it's your turn again... By the way, while you're thinking about your next move, notice that the chess piece symbols are displayed, one by one, counting "up" from pawn to King. This means the built-in chess clock is in normal mode, counting your elapsed time. If the Countdown Clock is activated, as noted in Section 5.1, the displayed symbols will reverse direction. You'll find details on all the chess clock features in Section 4.3! 1. LET'S GET STARTED! 1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter Your computer runs on four "C" (Type AM2/R14) batteries. 1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back! When you're playing chess against this computer, nothing is "set in stone"--you can change your mind or decide to play 1 ENGLISH TABLE OF CONTENTS Insert the batteries into the compartment in the base of the unit, making sure to observe the correct polarity. Use fresh alkaline batteries for longer battery life! If you would rather not power your unit with batteries, you may purchase an optional AC-DC adapter. Please use only the adapter specified in Section 9.3. Using any other adapter could damage the computer and will invalidate your warranty. Please also read the precautionary information regarding adapter use in Section 9.2. When using an adapter, first plug it into a wall outlet, and then into your computer. Important: To ensure that the computer's memory contents are not lost, keep good batteries installed in the unit even when you are using an AC-DC adapter. Turn the computer on by pressing GO/STOP, and a beep will signal that the game is ready to play. If the computer fails to respond (static discharge may cause it to lock up), use a paper clip or another sharp object to press down into the hole marked ACL in the base of the unit for at least one second. This will reset the computer. a different move whenever you want! When it's your turn to move, simply press TAKE BACK. The display shows the move to be taken back, with the original to square flashing and indicated by board lights. Press the piece down gently on the indicated square, and the computer shows you where that piece came from by flashing that display and using board lights to point to that square. Press the piece down on the from square to complete the take-back. Repeat this as often as you'd like, taking back up to 50 individual moves (or 25 moves for each side). To continue playing at any point, just make another move on the board! After taking back a capture, the computer will make sure your board is still set up correctly by reminding you to put the captured piece back on the board! It does this by displaying the piece symbol and its location, along with a "+" symbol, and turning on the board lights for that square. Put the indicated piece back on the board and press that square to complete the take-back. MAKING THE COMPUTER'S MOVE: AN EXAMPLE! 1.5 Game Over? Why Not Play Again! Whenever you finish a game (or if you give up on your current game), it's easy to start over again! Reset the computer for a NEW GAME by pressing the CLEAR and ENTER keys together, and a series of beeps tells you the computer is ready. The same playing level will be in effect, but you can change it if you'd like, as explained in Section 3. IMPORTANT: Resetting the computer for a new game clears your current game from the computer's memory--be careful not to press these keys by mistake! After the computer moves, it's up to you to make its move on the board! Here, the display indicates the computer wants to move its Black pawn (]!) from d7 to d5. Pick up the d7 pawn (indicated by the board lights) and press it down lightly on Square d7. The board lights now point to Square d5. Press the pawn down on Square d5 to complete the computer's move. Now it's your turn again! 1.6 Too Easy/Hard? Change the Level! When you first turn your computer on, it's automatically set to Normal Playing Level A4 (five seconds a move). However, you have 64 different levels to choose from--you'll want to try them all out! For descriptions of the playing levels and how to change levels, see Section 3. 2. MORE FEATURES TO EXPLORE 2.1 Whose Move? Check the Display! When the computer plays Black, it flashes a black square in the display while it is thinking. After it has moved, a white square shows that it is now White's turn to move. You can tell at a glance if the computer is currently thinking, and which side is to move! 2.2 Special Chess Moves Captures: To capture, press down on the piece you want to move, remove the captured piece from the board, and press your piece down on the square of the captured piece. Captures are displayed as in E5·F4. En Passant Captures: In this type of capture, the computer reminds you to remove the captured pawn by displaying the pawn's position, along with a minus sign, and using two board lights to indicate that square. Press down on the captured pawn before removing it from the board. Castling: The computer automatically recognizes castling after the King is moved. After you have pressed the King down on its from and to squares, the computer uses the display and board lights to remind you to move the Rook. Press down on the Rook's from and to squares to complete the move. Note that Kingside castling is displayed as 0-0, and Queenside castling as 0-0-0. Pawn Promotions: When you promote a pawn, first make your move as usual, pressing your pawn down on its from and to squares. Next, press the Piece Symbol Key for your desired promotion piece (%, $, #, or @). The computer recognizes your new piece immediately, and begins thinking about its next move. Remember to change your piece on the board! When the computer promotes a pawn, the display shows both the pawn and the promoted piece. Don't forget to replace the computer's pawn with its new piece. 2.3 Illegal Moves Your computer will never accept an illegal move! If you try to make one, you'll hear a low double beep, and the board lights and display will simply continue to show the square the piece came from. Either move that same piece to another square, or press the piece back down on the original from square and move a different piece. If you don't make the computer's move correctly, you'll also get an error beep. This means you are either moving the wrong piece, or moving the computer's piece to the wrong square. If the computer wants to move its pawn from C7 to C5, for example, and you press down on C7 and then C6, the display shows :C5 briefly, pointing out your error. The display then returns to showing the move again (C7-C5), and the computer expects you to press C5 to complete its move. If you press down on a piece and the from square is displayed, but you decide not to make that move, simply press down on that same square again to cancel. Then make another move. If you change your mind after entering your whole move, take the move back as described in Section 1.4. 2.4 Check, Mate, and Draw When a King is in check, the computer first displays its move as usual. After the move is made, CHECK flashes in the display for a few seconds, along with the checking move. The display then goes back to showing the clock. If the computer discovers a forced mate against its opponent, it first displays its move as usual. After the move has been made on the board, the computer flashes a mate announcement along with the move for several seconds (e.g., =in 2 for a mate in two moves). The display then goes back to showing the clock. When a game ends in checkmate, the display flashes MATE (along with the mating move) for a short time after the move is made. The display then goes back to showing the clock. The computer recognizes draws by stalemate, three-fold repetition, 50-move rule and insufficient material. After a draw has occurred, the display flashes End,EnD:3,End:50,or End:In (along with the drawing move) for a brief time after the move has been made. The display then goes back to showing the clock. 2 2.5 Interrupting the Computer's Search Think the computer is taking too long to move? You can interrupt it any time! Simply press ENTER while the computer is thinking, and it will stop and play the best move it has found so far. This feature can be handy on the higher levels, where the computer can take a long time to move, and on the Infinite Level, where the computer thinks indefinitely unless you stop it. On the Mate Search Levels, pressing ENTER won't force the computer to make a move. Instead, the computer will sound an error beep and display ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ to indicate that it was interrupted before it found a mate. To continue play, switch to another level. 2.6 Changing Sides with the Computer To change sides with the computer, simply press ENTER when it's your turn--and the computer will make the next move for your side. Change sides as often as you wish! Noted that if you press ENTER at a new game, computer will play White from top (see also Section 5.1). 2.7 Built-In Openings At the beginning of a game, the computer will often move instantly on many levels. This is because it is playing from memory, using its own built-in "book" of opening chess moves. This book contains thousands of positions, including most major openings and many positions from grandmaster play. If the current board position is in its book, the computer plays a response to that position automatically, instead of having to think about the move! A special feature of this computer's opening book is its ability to handle transpositions. A transposition occurs when a position reached by a certain set of moves can also be reached when those same moves occur in a different order. The computer's integrated Automatic Transposition Manager handles these cases with ease! Note that the opening book is not used in the Teach Mode games (see Section 6). 2.8 Thinking on the Opponent's Time As you play, you may notice that the computer sometimes replies to your moves immediately, even in the middle of games played on the higher levels. This is because the computer thinks on your time, using the time you are taking for your move to think ahead and plan its own strategies. It tries to guess the move you are likely to make, and then calculates its responses for that particular move while you are still thinking. If the computer has guessed right, there's no reason for it to keep on calculating--it immediately plays the move it has already found! 2.9 Game Memory Press GO/STOP at any time to interrupt a game. Play is then suspended, and the computer stores your current game in memory (up to 50 individual moves). When you switch back on again, you can continue right where you left off! To preserve the memory in case the unit is unplugged, keep batteries installed even when using an adapter. · Are you a beginning player? You have lots of choices! Check out the Fun Levels, the lower Training Levels, or the Self-Adaptive Weak Levels. These levels all restrict the computer's search depth in different ways, resulting in weaker play and giving you the chance to learn more about the game and perhaps even beat the computer occasionally! · Are you an intermediate or more advanced player? Try the Normal, Training, or Tournament Levels. The Normal Levels range from easy all the way up to a difficult 10-minute response time, and the Tournament Levels are extremely challenging. And don't forget to try the Blitz Levels for some fast and exciting games of Speed Chess! By the way, for Tournament and Blitz Games, you can activate the built-in Bronstein Clock, as you'll see in Section 5.3! · Want to experiment? Use the Mate Search Levels to solve problems up to mate in eight--try searching from a position in one of your own games, or set up an actual mate problem. Choose the Infinite Level to have the computer analyze complicated positions for hours or even days! 3. THE PLAYING LEVELS Your chess computer offers 64 different levels of play! When you set the level, keep in mind that when the computer has more time to think about its moves, it becomes stronger and plays better--just like a human chess player! For an overview of all the levels, refer to the Level Chart. The levels are also described individually in this section. Setting a Playing Level See "USE THIS CHART TO SELECT A PLAYING LEVEL!" for an illustrated look at how to set a level and a chart showing all the levels at a glance. There are two methods of setting levels--by using the game keys or pressing the board squares. Whichever method you use, always press LEVEL first to enter Level Mode, and the computer will display the current playing level. When you enter Level Mode the first time, the computer is set on Normal Playing Level A4 (with an average response time of five seconds a move), and the display shows L 0:05. · To select a level by using game keys: After entering Level Mode by pressing LEVEL, change levels one at a time by using the BLACK/> and to increase levels by one. Press SEARCH INFO: INFO x2 · Evaluation of current position · 2 numbers: Search depth + number of moves examined so far · Current move under consideration · Number of positions being searched per second < / WHITE BLACK / > See "INFO MODE AT A GLANCE!" for a chart summarizing all the Info Mode displays. Game information is divided into four groups, and pressing INFO cycles from one group to another. The BLACK/> and repeatedly to cycle forwards all the moves: · Move 1 (predicted line of play) · Move 2 (predicted line of play) · Move 3 (predicted line of play) · Move 4 (predicted line of play) · Move 5 (predicted line of play) · Move 6 (predicted line of play) Press repeatedly to cycle forwards these four displays: · Evaluation of the current position (based on a pawn being worth 1.0 points; a positive number indicates White is ahead) CHESS CLOCK INFO: INFO x3 · Elapsed time since last move · · · · Total elapsed time for White Total elapsed time for Black Remaining time for White* Remaining time for Black* *Blitz/Tournament Levels only < / WHITE BLACK / > MOVE COUNT INFO: INFO x4 · Current move number made so far < / WHITE BLACK / > · Moves of the current game · Two numbers: The first is the current search depth, or the number of individual moves the computer is looking ahead; the second is the number of moves the computer has examined so far · The move currently being considered · The search speed, or number of positions (nodes) being searched every second Press repeatedly to cycle forwards the clock displays: · Elapsed time since the last move was made · Total elapsed time for White · Total elapsed time for Black · Remaining time for White (Blitz/Tournament Levels only) · Remaining time for Black (Blitz/Tournament Levels only) Press to go forward through the moves again at any point. Press CLEAR to return to the normal clock display. 4.5 Want a Hint? Just Ask! In case you missed this feature when it was mentioned in Section 4.1, we wanted to point it out again--if you ever need advice on a move, you can always ask the computer for a hint. Simply press INFO when it's your turn to move, and the computer will show a suggested move for your side! When the computer plays White from the top of the board (Section 5.1, Option G1), be sure to set up the pieces correctly! Notice that the Kings and Queens are positioned differently, and the board notation is reversed. When the computer is first powered on, certain default options are set. Options which are automatically in effect at the first startup are shown in the chart with a plus, and options which are off are shown with a minus. Whenever you reset the computer for a new game, most of your selected options are carried over to your next game. Some exceptions are Auto Answer, which is automatically set back to ON when you start a new game, and Play White from the Top, which is automatically set back to OFF. 5.1 Operation Mode Options (Squares A1-H1) Press OPTION once to select the Operation Mode Options. Then use the BLACK/> and and to cycle > forward. Press +b0:02 >+b0:03 >+b0:05 >+b0:10 >+b0:20 >+b0:30 B4 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 H4 -bron A4 ROTATING DISPLAY OPTIONS Variation to ply 1 Variation to ply 2 Variation to ply 3 Variation to ply 4 Position Evaluation Depth & Moves Nodes Searched Time per Move -rd:1 A3 -rd:2 B3 -rd:3 C3 -rd:4 D3 -rd:E E3 -rd:d F3 -rd:n G3 -rd:t H3 NO A2 B2 OPTIONS C2 D2 ON THESE E2 F2 SQUARES G2 H2 OPERATION MODE OPTIONS Auto Answer Sound with Keypress Silent Mode Coach Mode Ticking Clock Countdown Play White Auto Power from Top Down Clock +AuTo A1 +SNd B1 -SIL C1 -Co:ch D1 E1 -tic -c:dn F1 G1 -toP -aPd H1 3. Finally, press CLEAR to exit Option Mode, using your new option(s)! For more details, see Section 5. On:+Co:ch Off:-Co:ch Selecting +Co:ch turns on special coaching features that encourage you to concentrate on your strategic planning! In Coach Mode, the computer looks over your shoulder while you play, watching what you do and helping you when you need assistance! In this unique "Guardian Angel" capacity, the computer will warn you with a Capture Alert if you are in danger of losing a piece. If one of your pieces is threatened by a lesser valued piece, for example, the computer will sound a series of warning beeps and flash the board lights of the threatened piece for a few seconds. To continue the game, make your next move (or take back your last move and make a different one). With Coach Mode on, the computer will also sound a Tactical Alert if it thinks you have committed a blunder and your move is about to lead to an avoidable material loss. It does this by sounding a series of warning beeps and flashing the move it intends to make. You can either enter the computer's move, or take back your own move and make another one. championship chess tournament in your own living room! f. Countdown Clock (Square F1) On:+c:dn Off:-c:dn Turning this option on causes the computer to display the countdown time instead of the elapsed time. Notice that the piece symbols also reverse direction, counting "down" from King to pawn. This option is only available in combination with the Tournament and Blitz Levels. g. Play White from the Top (Square G1) On:+toP Off:-toP Want to depart from the usual standard and let the computer play the White pieces from the top of the board? Then try out this interesting option! Choose +toP at the beginning of a game (new game or a new teach mode game), and set up the board with the Black pieces closest to you. Pieces set up for a new game with White play from top is shown in the diagram in this section. Then, press ENTER to start the game. Watch as the computer makes the first move for White from the top of the board! See "PLAYING BLACK FROM THE BOTTOM? HERE'S THE POSITION!" for a diagram showing the correct piece set-up when using this option. When the computer plays White from the top, board nota- e. Ticking Clock (Square E1) On:+tic Off:-tic When you turn this option on, you activate a ticking sound that makes the computer's clock sound like a real chess clock! Just imagine--you can create the atmosphere of a 8 h. Auto Power Down (Square H1) On:+aPd Off:-aPd Auto Power Down option is a handy battery-saving feature. With this option activated, the computer will automatically turn itself off if no keypresses or moves are made for about 15 minutes. To continue the game where you left off, press GO/STOP to turn the computer back on. Note that the computer will not turn itself off while it is thinking about a move. 5.2 Rotating Display Options (Squares A3-H3) Normally, the computer's display shows the time for the player to move. However, the computer can also display other information, as described in Section 4 (Info Mode). The Rotating Display feature works hand-in-hand with Info Mode, since it allows you to choose which of the Info Displays you want to see, and then cycles your choices in about onesecond increments. You may turn on any or all of the Rotating Display options, as desired. LEVEL 1. Press LEVEL, and the current playing level is displayed. 2. If you want to change levels, press a square to select a different level. 3. To enter Teach Mode, press any PIECE SYMBOL KEY (except KING): Press To study Pieces on the board Display QUEENS ROOKS BISHOPS KNIGHTS PAWNS Queens + Kings Rooks + Kings Bishops + Kings Knights + Kings Pawns + Kings %& $& #& @& !& IMPORTANT: The Rotating Display feature is only activated WHILE THE COMPUTER IS THINKING. Press OPTION twice to select the Rotating Display Options. Then use the BLACK/> and and to cancel Teach Mode and continue level selection. · If you accidentally press a PIECE SYMBOL KEY in Level Mode, you will lose your current game after exiting Level Mode. To prevent this and retain your current board position, press CLEAR to cancel. · If you reset for a new game by pressing CLEAR and ENTER together, the computer will switch back to the standard game, with the current level still in effect. · The KING key is reserved for the standard game, using all 32 pieces. If & is pressed in Teach Mode, all six piece symbols are displayed, indicating the 32-piece board. Pressing ENTER to exit Teach Mode at this point simply returns you to a new game, playing with all the pieces. · The computer will not make use of its openings library in Teach Mode games. STARTING UP STUDY MODE! 1. Set up the pieces for a new game. STUDIES 2. Press STUDIES. Display shows the current Study Game (tst:1 = Study Game 1). 3. Press BLACK/> or < / WHITE ENTER 5. Make each move on the board as it is shown. When you come to the first puzzle move, the clock will start a 3-minute countdown. Try to guess the correct move! 6. At the end of the game, you'll get a point score and your very own ELO rating! For all the details, see Section 7. 7. STUDY MODE: TRY RATING YOURSELF! Want to try out a fascinating learning tool? Then Study Mode is exactly what you're looking for! Twenty famous and exciting games from the history of chess are built into your computer, incorporating 413 different chess puzzles. It's up to you to play through the games and make the correct moves that were played for the winning side in the original games! This feature offers great potential for improving your chess knowledge, while allowing you to practice your skills and learn all about making the best move in a particular position! And, to make this feature even more exciting, you'll actually be able to determine your own ELO rating after completing each Study Game! Understanding ELO Ratings Before we explain how to use Study Mode, just a few words regarding the concept of chess ratings. A "rating" is a way to measure chess performance or describe relative playing ability. The international body which governs chess is called FIDE, or Fédération Internationale des Échecs, and FIDE ratings are sometimes referred to as ELO ratings. The United States Chess Federation (USCF) uses a similar rating system. Ratings are usually four-digit numbers, with stronger players having higher ratings. On the high end of the scale, masters rank in at 2200 and above, and international grandmasters are rated at 2500+. Want to know where you stand? Go ahead and try out Study Mode! Using Study Mode See "STARTING UP STUDY MODE!" for an example of Study Mode basics. Set up the pieces for a new game, and press STUDIES to enter Study Mode. The display will show the current Study Game (as in tst:1 for Study Game 1). Press BLACK/> or or or