Saitek Expert Travel Chess Info Mode Watch the Computer Think, Mate Search Levels Squares F1-F8

Try out all the Fun Levels—as you beat each one, go on to the next! By the time you reach Levels E7 and E8, your improved chess skills should make them much easier to handle.

3.6 Mate Search Levels (Squares F1-F8)
LEVEL	PROBLEM	DISPLAY
F1	Mate in 1	=in:	1
F2	Mate in 2	=in:	2
F3	Mate in 3	=in:	3
F4	Mate in 4	=in:	4
F5	Mate in 5	=in:	5
F6	Mate in 6	=in:	6
F7	Mate in 7	=in:	7
F8	Mate in 8	=in:	8
Selecting one of these levels activates a special Mate Finder Pro-
gram. If you have a position where there may be a mate and you would
like the computer to find it, set the computer on one of the Mate Search
Levels. Your computer can solve mates in up to eight moves. Mates in
one to five are usually found quite quickly, whereas solutions taking six
to eight moves may take quite some time. If there is no mate present or
the computer can’t find a mate, it will sound an error beep and display a
series of dashes (– – – – –). To continue play, switch to another level.
3.7 Training Levels (Squares G1-G8)
LEVEL	SEARCH DEPTH	DISPLAY
G1	1 move	PLY:	1
G2	2 moves	PLY:	2
G3	3 moves	PLY:	3
G4	4 moves	PLY:	4
G5	5 moves	PLY:	5
G6	6 moves	PLY:	6
G7	7 moves	PLY:	7
G8	8 moves	PLY:	8
On the Training Levels, the computer’s search depth is limited to a
certain number of moves, as shown above. As you cycle through the
levels, the computer displays PLY:# for each level. A “ply” is an indi-
vidual move (a move for either side), and “#” is the number representing
the search depth. For example, on Level G1, the computer searches to
a depth of one ply (PLY: 1), and thus looks ahead only one individual
move. On this level, therefore, it will often overlook a mate in one. This

produces weaker play, giving beginners a better chance of winning.

3.8 Self-Adaptive Weak Levels (Squares H1-H8)				ENGLISH
LEVEL	TYPE	DISPLAY
H1	Self-Adaptive 1	Adt:	1
H2	Self-Adaptive 2	Adt:	2
H3	Self-Adaptive 3	Adt:	3
H4	Self-Adaptive 4	Adt:	4
H5	Self-Adaptive 5	Adt:	5
H6	Self-Adaptive 6	Adt:	6
H7	Self-Adaptive 7	Adt:	7
H8	Self-Adaptive 8	Adt:	8
The Self-Adaptive Weak Levels are perfect for players who are just
starting out. Here, beginners have the chance to interact with the
computer on eight weakened levels of varying ELO rating strengths, and
the computer’s strength is adjusted to match that of the player. Not sure
what an ELO rating is? It’s a way of measuring chess performance.
Chess ratings are usually four-digit numbers, with stronger players
having higher ratings. Towards the upper end of the scale, masters rank
in at 2200 and above. Just for your information, on some of its stronger
levels, your computer is rated at over 2000 ELO.
Since these Self-Adaptive Weak Levels are meant especially for
beginners, however, here the computer will set its playing strength to a
deliberately weakened setting of about –350 ELO on the lowest level
(H1). On the other end, Level H8 matches the player’s strength by
putting the ELO difference at zero. As you play, the computer will try to
keep this difference constant. That is, if you play badly, the computer will
not play well either—but it will fight to win back material it has lost to
you, if necessary. On the other hand, if you play stronger, the computer
will also play stronger. Work your way up!

4. INFO MODE: WATCH THE COMPUTER THINK

Imagine this: You’re playing chess against a friend, and it’s his move. You’d love to know what move he’s thinking about, and you’d really like to get his opinion of the board position. But, of course, you won’t ask— because that’s just not done. Well, guess what—when you play against this chess computer, you can ask anything you want, and you’ll get all the answers! In fact, you can get an incredible amount of information

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