Fun Levels, Casual Levels | Saitek Talking Chess Trainer specification

•Fixed Depth Levels: G1 to G8. Computer skill is limited by not being able to look ahead more than the selected number of moves.

•Tactical Levels: H1 to H8. Computer skill is limited by not being able to look ahead more than the selected number of moves, and by not evaluating strategic advan-

tage.

Whenever you set the level, bear in mind that when the computer has more time to think about its moves, it gets stronger and plays better—just like a human player! Sharpen your chess skills—as you beat the computer on each level, graduate to the next. Keep challenging yourself and learn more about the game!

3.2 Fun Levels

Selecting any square from A1 to A8 will give you one of the Fun Levels. In this range, the computer does not make an exhaustive search for the best available move. Instead, it disregards scores, and the program also makes use of randomizers which cause the computer to occasionally make a move that is not the best one it has found. This introduces an interesting variability in the computer’s responses, and sometimes it will seem to make quite human errors of judge- ment. A1 is the lowest skill level, and A8 is somewhat higher.

3.3 Casual Levels

When the Casual Levels are selected, you are controlling the skill level of the computer by limiting the average amount of time it can take to select its move. As the skill level is increased, the computer will think ahead progressively more deeply, and consequently play a more skillful game. When one of these levels is selected from the B or C squares, the display will alternate between the level selection and the computer’s average response time, as shown below:

Chessboard Square	Time per Move	Display
B1	1 second	L:B1/00:01
B2	2 seconds	L:B2/00:02
B3	3 seconds	L:B3/00:03
B4	5 seconds	L:B4/00:05
B5	10 seconds	L:B5/00:10
B6	15 seconds	L:B6/00:15
B7	20 seconds	L:B7/00:20
B8	30 seconds	L:B8/00:30
C1	45 seconds	L:c1/00:45
C2	1 minute	L:c2/01:00
C3	2 minutes	L:c3/02:00
C4	3 minutes	L:c4/03:00
C5	4 minutes	L:c5/04:00
C6	5 minutes	L:c6/05:00
C7	10 minutes	L:c7/10:00
C8	15 minutes	L:c8/15:00

3.4 Blitz Levels

The levels on the D squares are the Blitz Levels. If you wish to play speed chess, or instant death, you can select from a range of times allowed for the game to be completed. You may choose between a 5-minute “pressure cooker” of a game, up to a more relaxed 1-1/2 hour game. When you select one of these squares, the display will alternate be- tween the square you have selected and the corresponding time limit for the game.

Chessboard Square	Time per Move	Display
D1	5 minutes	L:D1/05:00
D2	10 minutes	L:D2/10:00
D3	15 minutes	L:D3/15:00
D4	25 minutes	L:D4/25:00
D5	30 minutes	L:D5/30:00
D6	45 minutes	L:D6/45:00
D7	60 minutes	L:D7/1:00
D8	90 minutes	L:D8/1:30

3.5 Bronstein Levels

By selecting a square from E1 to E4, you can choose a time limit for the game following the Bronstein system. A basic time is selected for the game, and an increment of a

few seconds is then added to that time whenever a move is made. The increment is either the free time shown in the table below, or the actual time taken to move, whichever is shorter. When you choose one of these levels, the display cycles through three different pieces of information, each of which is shown for one second. For example, if you choose

E2 you would see:
• The selected square		L:E2	and then…
•	The base time in minutes	10:00	and then…
•	The free time in seconds	00:05


Chessboard		Time for	Free Time	Display
Square		Game	per Move
E1	.... 5 minutes ...... 3 seconds ..... L:E1/05:00/00:03
E2	... 10 minutes ..... 5 seconds ..... L:E2/10:00/00:05

E3 ... 15 minutes .... 10 seconds .... L:E3/15:00/00:10

E4 ... 20 minutes .... 10 seconds .... L:E4/20:00/00:10

3.6 Bonus Timer Levels

Selection of a square from E5 to E8 gives you the Bonus Timer Levels. These levels are similar to the Bronstein Lev- els, except the time increment is always 2 seconds, and it is added to the time before the move is made.


Chessboard		Time for	Free Time	Display
Square		Game	per Move
E5	.... 3 minutes ...... 2 seconds ..... L:E5/03:00/00:02
E6	... 10 minutes ..... 2 seconds ..... L:E6/10:00/00:02
E7	... 20 minutes ..... 2 seconds ..... L:E7/20:00/00:02
E8	... 50 minutes ..... 2 seconds ..... L:E8/50:00/00:02

3.7 Tournament Levels

The F1-F8 squares provide 8 Tournament Levels. When one of these is selected, you and the computer are each required to make a prescribed number of moves within a given amount of time. For example: If you select Level F3, you will be required to make 40 moves within 2 hours under the Primary Time Control. If the game is not finished within that time, the Secondary Time Control period will begin, and you will be required to make 20 moves within 1 hour. If this secondary period does not produce a result, it is repeated until a conclusion is reached.

In accordance with tournament regulations, any time remaining at completion of the moves of the Primary Time Control is carried forward and added to the time allowed for the Secondary Time Control. For example: If you selected Level F3 and completed the first 40 moves in just one hour, you would be allowed 2 hours for the next 20 moves. Surplus time, if any, is carried forward and accumulated in this way throughout the game.

When you select one of these Tournament Levels, the display will cycle through three pieces of information, each of

Chess-	Primary		Secondary
board	Time Control		Time Control		Display
Square	Moves	Time	Moves	Time

F1	30	30 min	30	30 min	L:F1/
					30/0:30

F2	30	1 hr	remaining	1 hr	L:F2/
		30 min			30/1:30

F3	40	2 hr	20	1 hr	L:F3/
					40/2:00


F4	40	2 hr	remaining	1 hr	L:F4/
					40/2:00

F5	40	2 hr	16	1 hr	L:F5/
		30 min			40/2:30

F6	45	1 hr	15	30 min	L:F6/
		30 min			45/1:30

F7	50	2 hr	20	1 hr	L:F7/
		30 min			50/2:30

F8	60	1 hr	30	30 min	L:F8/
					60/1:00

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