Info Mode AT a Glance, Principal Variation

After learning about Info Mode, take a look at Section 5.3 for a description of the Rotating Display. Selecting this feature makes the computer automatically cycle through the requested information in one- second intervals every time it thinks about its move—you can actually watch the computer think out loud! Whenever requested information is not available, the display will show dashes (– – – – –).

4.1 Principal Variation

Press INFO the first time to get information on the principal variation (the predicted line of play, or the sequence of moves the computer thinks will be made). The first display you will see is the move the computer is currently thinking of making. This principal variation is shown to a maximum depth of six individual moves. Press BLACK/> repeatedly to scroll forward through all the moves:

• Moves 1 through 6 of the predicted line of play.

Press WHITE/< to scroll backwards and see the previous displays again. Press CL to return to the normal clock display.

Since the first move of the predicted line of play is the move the computer assumes you will make, you can also consider this move as a hint. So—whenever you need help, press INFO on your turn.

4.2 Search Information

Press INFO a second time for information on the computer’s search. Press BLACK/> repeatedly to scroll forward through these displays:

•Evaluation of the current position (based on a pawn being worth 1.0 points; a positive number indicates White is ahead).

•Two numbers: (a) current search depth (number of individual moves the computer is looking ahead); and (b) number of moves the computer has examined so far.

•The move currently being considered.

•The search speed (number of positions or nodes searched every second).

Press WHITE/< to scroll backwards and see the previous displays again. Press CL to return to the normal clock display.

4.3 Chess Clock Information

Press INFO a third time for chess clock information. The clocks keep track of the time for both sides. Press BLACK/> repeatedly to scroll forward through the clock displays:

• Elapsed time since the last move was made.