Chess Trainer Instructions Bedienungsanleitung Mode d'emploi Instrucciones de Funcionamiento Istruzioni d'uso Handleiding QUICK START Want to play a game without reading the entire manual first? Little Alec will be glad to help! Simply follow these Quick Start steps... 1 2 3 4 First, insert two "AA" (AM3/R6) batteries into the computer (alkaline recommended). Be sure to observe the correct polarity! 5 2 x AA/AM3/R6 Next, press GO/STOP to turn the computer on, and you'll see Alec's animated face in the display! If the unit doesn't respond, reset it as noted in Section 1.1. Set up the chess pieces in the initial starting position for a new game, with the White pieces closest to you, as shown in this diagram. Press NEW GAME to reset the computer. Now you're ready to play your very first game against Alec! Enter moves by making them on the board, pressing the pieces down gently on the from and to squares for each move. The board automatically senses which piece you are moving--it's just like magic! As soon as the computer makes its move, that move is displayed, with the from square flashing. Press the indicated piece down on the flashing from square (Square d7, in our example), and the display will now flash the to square. Press down on the flashing to square (d5, here) to complete the computer's move. That's all there is to it! Press GO/STOP at any time to turn the computer off...and Alec will be ready to continue when you turn it back on! PRESS PRESS GO/STOP 6 NEW GAME KEYS AND FEATURES 1. DISPLAY WINDOW: Used to show moves, information, and chess clocks, as well as Alec's animated expressions and antics! Also used to select playing levels and Teach Modes, and to verify pieces. 2. ACL (Reset): In base of unit. Used to eliminate static discharge after inserting new batteries. 3. GAME KEYS · GO/STOP: Press to turn the computer on and off. Current position is retained in memory when turned off. · NON AUTO: Press to enter Non Auto Mode, which allows moves to be entered manually. · NEW GAME: Press to reset for a new game of chess. · PIECE SYMBOL KEYS: Used to verify piece positions and select Teach Modes. Also used for pawn promotions. · LEVEL: Press to enter Level Mode. · SOUND: Press to turn the sound on and off. · TEACH MODE: Press to enter Teach Mode. · HINT: Press and hold down to get a suggested move. A N I M AT E D D I S P L AY 7 6 8 LEVEL SETTINGS SMART HINT FUNCTION EXTENDED TEACH MODES GO/STOP NON AUTO NEW GAME LEVEL SOUND TEACH MODE HINT TAKE BACK PLAY · TAKE BACK: Press to take back the last individual move made. You may take back two individual moves, or a move for each side. · PLAY: Press to change sides with the computer; press while the computer is thinking to force it to move. 4. BATTERY COMPARTMENT: In base of unit. Uses two "AA" (AM3/R6) batteries (alkalines recommended for longer battery life). 5. PIECE STORAGE COMPARTMENT: In base of unit. Handy compartment stores your chess pieces when they're not in use. 6. SENSORY CHESSBOARD: Each square contains a sensor that automatically registers piece movement. TABLE OF CONTENTS QUICK START KEYS AND FEATURES INTRODUCTION 1. LET'S GET STARTED! 1.1 First, Install the Batteries 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. ADDITIONAL FEATURES 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 Need Help? Ask for a Hint! 2.8 Chess Clocks 2.9 Built-In Openings 2.10 Auto Power Down 2.11 Game Memory 3. THE PLAYING LEVELS 3.1 Fun Levels 3.2 Fixed Depth Levels 3.3 Casual Levels 4. SPECIAL MODES TO EXPLORE 4.1 Verify Mode 4.2 Non Auto Mode 4.3 Teach Mode 5. TECHNICAL DETAILS 5.1 The ACL Function 5.2 Care and Maintenance 5.3 Technical Specifications TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE should fail to respond (static discharge can sometimes 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. 1.2 Ready to Play? Here's How to Move! Okay, 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. You'll see Little Alec's face appear in the display--he'll be your constant playing companion from now on! b. Press NEW GAME 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 the sensory board will recognize your piece automatically. Check out the display--it now shows the square that you pressed, along with the piece and color symbols for your chosen piece! This information flashes alternately with the clock display. d. Take your piece and gently press it down on the square you are moving to. You'll hear a second beep as the computer confirms the move. You've just made your first full move of the game! Next, it's the computer's turn to move for Black. At the start of a game, the computer will often move instantly because it is playing from memory, using its built-in "book" of opening moves. For details, see Section 2.9. 1.3 Now It's the Computer's Turn When the computer moves, it beeps and displays its move, with the from square flashing. Press the indicated piece down on the flashing from square until you hear a beep. The display now flashes the square the piece is moving to. 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... Note that the following may sometimes occur while the computer is thinking: · Game keys may need to be pressed down for two to three seconds before the computer responds. · The clock display may occasionally skip a few seconds, and the duration between consecutive seconds may appear to be uneven. Game play will not be affected. 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 a different move whenever you want! You can take back two individual moves, or one move for each side. To take back the last move played, press TAKE BACK. The display will show the piece symbol, the color symbol, and the move to be taken back, with the original to square flashing. Press the piece down on that square. You now see the from square flashing. Press the piece down on the flashing from square to complete the take-back. If the move taken back was a capture, the computer reminds you to put the captured piece back on the board by displaying the piece type and color, and flashing the square location. Press this piece down on the indicated square. To take back another move, press TAKE BACK again. To continue the game, either make your next move or press PLAY to have the computer move next. 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! Simply press NEW GAME, and the computer will reset itself, putting all the pieces back in their initial starting positions. The same ENGLISH INTRODUCING... ALEC, THE LITTLE ALCHEMIST! So happy to meet you--and so glad that we'll be enjoying the wonderful world of chess together! You might ask yourself, "What is this little guy doing inside my computer?" It's simple: I LOVE CHESS! And, what better way to enjoy the game whenever possible, than to be here every single time you turn your computer on! Chess is truly a magical game--it's fun, exciting, and intellectually stimulating. You simply couldn't ask for a better way to spend your time! So, my goal in life is to be your constant companion, ready and willing to play whenever you are! If you see me grinning, don't worry--I'm not making fun of you... I'm just delighting in my own chess abilities! And, when you see me cry after I lose a game, don't feel too sorry for me-- I might just beat you the next time around! Have a fabulous time, and be sure to explore this manual to discover all the great features your chess computer has to offer. Plus, watch out for the "stars" throughout the manual-- they'll alert you to charts and diagrams that will help you to understand your computer better! As for me, I'll look forward to enjoying many great games with you, now and for a long time to come...! Have fun! 1. LET'S GET STARTED! Whether you're just starting to learn about chess or you've already discovered this great game, you're going to benefit from your new chess computer in so many ways! After all, it's a very unique combination of opponent and tutor! And, by the way, your computer knows and follows the rules of chess--and you can be sure that it will never cheat! For those 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! 1.1 First, Install the Batteries Your chess computer runs on two "AA" (AM3/R6) batteries. Insert the batteries into the compartment in the base of the unit, as shown in the Quick Start. Use fresh alkaline batteries for longer battery life! Turn the computer on by pressing GO/STOP, and a beep will signal that the game is ready to play. If the computer 3 playing level will be in effect, but you can change it if you'd like, as explained in Section 3. TYPICAL DISPLAYS AT A GLANCE! King is in check (White/Black) Checkmate (for White/Black) IMPORTANT: Pressing NEW GAME clears the current game from memory--be careful not to press this key by mistake! 1.6 Too Easy/Hard? Change the Level! Your computer offers 64 levels of skill, each of which corresponds to one of the 64 board squares--making level selection so easy! Together with the built-in Teach Modes, you have a choice of 768 level setting combinations! For complete details on all the playing levels, along with instructions on selecting levels, see Section 3. Game has ended in a draw Clock showing Minutes/Seconds: Steady colon, with leading zero Clock showing Hours/Minutes: Flashing colon, no leading zero 2. ADDITIONAL FEATURES 2.1 Whose Move? Check the Display! You can always tell at a glance if the computer is currently thinking, and which side is to move--just by taking a look at the color symbols (] for Black and [ for White)! Whenever the computer is thinking, the color symbol for the side it is playing flashes in the display. When it is your turn to move, the color symbol for your side shows steadily. 2.2 Special Chess Moves Captures: To capture, press down lightly on the piece you want to move, take the captured piece off the board, and press your piece down on the square of the captured piece. En Passant: In an en passant capture, the computer reminds you to remove the captured pawn from the board by flashing the pawn's location in the display. 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 displays the Rook's move, with the from square flashing. Press down on this square, and the display flashes the square the Rook should move to. Press down on the Rook's to square to complete the move. Pawn Promotion: When you promote a pawn, first press your pawn down on the from square, as usual. The computer will flash the from square and the symbols for the pawn and Queen, along with the clock display. You now have two choices: (a) To promote to a Queen, simply complete your move by pressing your pawn down on the to square. The promotion will take place automatically, accompanied by a series of beeps. (b) To underpromote to a Knight, Bishop, or Rook, press the PIECE SYMBOL KEY for your desired promotion piece (@, #, or $). That symbol will be displayed, and pressing your pawn down on the to square will complete your move. When promoting, always remember to change your piece on the board! When the computer promotes a pawn, the display shows its move, as usual, with the from square flashing. You'll notice, though, that the display shows the symbol for the pawn plus the symbol for the computer's promoted piece. Press on the from square, and the to square flashes. Press down on the to square, change the computer's piece on the board, and continue your game! 2.3 Illegal Moves Your computer will never accept an illegal move! If you try to make one, you'll hear a low beep and the display will alternate between showing the from square and the time. Either move that same piece to another square, or press the piece back down on its original from square and move a different piece. If you don' ...