Saitek III manual Introduction, Getting Started

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your purchase of the new and exciting Exclusive Senator Chess Computer System. This unique system, combining the elegant Exclusive Chessboard with the Senator and LCD Modules, has been designed to provide you with an extremely powerful chess oppo- nent—as well as one which offers a vast array of special features! Once the Senator Module is inserted into the Exclusive Board and turned on, the Senator’s strong chess program takes over. Backed by a powerful 32-bit RISC processor, the Senator will challenge even the most ad- vanced players—yet it also includes many features aimed specifically at beginners. The companion LCD Module gives you access to a great variety of additional game options. Working hand-in-hand with the Senator Module, the LCD Module will allow you to fully explore all of the Senator’s special features. This Chess Computer System is simply the perfect chess partner for anyone, and we guarantee that your games will never again be the same. Just a quick glance through the features and options described in this manual will give you a good idea of what’s in store for you!

1. GETTING STARTED

1.1 Power Off? Plug In the Modules

Plug your AC adapter into the back of the Exclusive Board and into your power supply. Always make sure your chess computer is OFF before inserting or removing modules.

CAUTION: NEVER INSERT OR REMOVE A MODULE WHILE THE COMPUTER IS ON. DOING SO COULD DAMAGE YOUR CHESS COMPUTER!

Open the drawer in the front of your computer, and swing the handle up. Insert the Senator and LCD Modules into any of the open slots, pushing them in until they are firmly seated.

1.2 Power On; Set Up the Pieces

Turn the chess computer on, and then activate the Senator Module by pressing its GO/STOP key for at least 1 second. Set up the pieces in their starting positions, with the White pieces nearest to you. Once the

computer recognizes that you are setting up the initial position, it automatically resets itself for a new game! You can also simultaneously press ENT and CL on the module to reset the computer for a NEW GAME of chess.

The computer will not play until all pieces are centered on their squares. If the H8 Rook is off the board, for example, or if it is too far off-center in its square, the H8 light will remain on until you center the Rook correctly.

1.3 Ready? Try Out Your New Opponent!

Begin playing chess as you normally would—pick up your piece and make your move on the board. After you have moved, the computer will beep and start thinking for Black.

You may notice that the computer often moves instantly at the begin- ning 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 2.9).

1.4 Now It’s the Computer’s Turn

When the computer makes its move, it beeps and turns on board

lights to indicate its move—the lights in the from and to squares flash alternately. The computer’s move is also shown in the display window on LCD module. 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. Pick up the indicated piece and move it on the board to complete the computer’s move. And it’s your turn again…

1.5 Change Your Mind? Take Back

When you’re playing against this module, nothing is “set in stone”— you can change your mind or decide to play a different move whenever you want! When it’s your turn, simply press TAKE BACK. Then press WHITE/<, and the display and board lights will indicate the move to be taken back. Pick up the indicated piece, and move it back to the square it came from to complete the take-back. Press WHITE/< again if you want to take back another move. You can take back up to 200 individual moves (100 moves for each side). To resume play at any point, press CL and make another move.

After taking back a capture, the computer reminds you to put the captured piece back on the board—the lights for the capture square and the original location of the captured piece will come on. The LCD also

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