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Novag sapphire II Instruction Manual

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NOVAG
SAPPHIRE II
• INSTRUCTION

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Summary of Contents for Novag sapphire II

  • Page 1  NOVAG SAPPHIRE II • INSTRUCTION...
  • Page 2 INSTRUCTIONS INTRODUCTION PLAYING THE SAPPHIRE II III. GAME FEATURES Making moves Capturing a piece Illegal moves Castling En passant Pawn Promotion / Underpromotion Stalemate / Draw Check and Checkmate Early Mate Announcements Resignation IV. MAJOR FUNCTION KEYS NEW GAME Key...
  • Page 3 VI. OPTION I/II KEYS ( * these functions require the NOVAG Distributor and a PC to be useful) A. OPTION I KEYS *PRINT MOVES (Key A1) *AUTOCLOCK (Key B2) AUTOPLAY/DEMO (Key C3) *HUMAN MODE (Key D4) *VIDEO MODE (Key E5)
  • Page 4 II. PLAYING THE SAPPHIRE II If you wish a quick game of chess without having to use all the special functions of the SAPPHIRE II, you may refer to the following instructions: Step l : The power switch is a 2-position switch and is located at the right side panel.

  • Page 5: Game Features

    Capturing a Piece If the SAPPHIRE II makes a capturing move it will show on the LCD the symbol "x" and in cases of en passant pawn captures it will also show "ep". Please remove the captured piece from the chessboard.
  • Page 6 Pawn Promotion / Underpromotion If one of your pawns reaches the 8th rank, the SAPPHIRE II will allow you to promote or underpromote it to any desired piece. As soon as this happens the computer will prompt you for the piece that you wish to promote to and the word [Pro ?] will be shown on the LCD.

  • Page 7: Major Function Keys

    Early Mate Announcements The SAPPHIRE II will always announce mate if it sees it and will show the number of moves to mate on the LCD. Example : [nAtE 2 ] Resignation The SAPPHIRE II will recognise positions which are lost or seriously behind in material and will resign the game showing [ rESiGn] on the LCD.
  • Page 8 Important for analysis purpose. The computer will only compute up to the depth selected. This provides a means of limiting the SAPPHIRE II play to suit a wide range of opponent's abilities. • Analysis Level AN 1 - AN 8...
  • Page 9 The solution to this position is Rb8 and takes about 46 seconds on Find Mate level 6 but takes a couple of hours on regular search! Whilst the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II is searching it will show the main variations which it is presently considering and will rotate a variety of informations on the LCD display in the following order: Time used up so far (example : “...
  • Page 10 GO Key The GO Key is used in conjunction with many of the SAPPHIRE II special functions and normally acts as an Exit key. Please note that in many cases when Error appears, the GO key has not been pressed to exit the last function used.
  • Page 11 All features are available whilst REFEREE mode is on. HINT Key The SAPPHIRE II can suggest moves if you are not sure how to continue your game. This is a great tutoring feature. When pressing the HINT key you may recall the following information: ON YOUR MOVE : Pressing the HINT key when it is your turn to move will show the move which the computer thinks is your best move.
  • Page 12 TAKE BACK Key (key is marked ) Use this key to retract a bad move or just try a different line of play. Wait until it is your turn to move. Press the TAKE BACK key and the move to be taken back will be alternately flashed on display along with the captured piece and square if any (remember to replace this piece).
  • Page 13 • Enter the square you wish to verify and the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II will show the symbol of the piece which is occupying this square and its colour. If the square is empty the left side of the LCD display will be blank. (Only the entered square position will be displayed).
  • Page 14 SOUND Key The NOVAG SAPPHIRE II has four different sound settings, which will be indicated on the LCD display. a) Setting 1 [Sound ] : There will be no acoustic signals at all. This is useful for those late night games when you don't want to bother anyone.
  • Page 15 EASY Key The NOVAG SAPPHIRE II always uses the opponent’s time to compute its best response which is quite an advantage as it will sometimes reply instantly (even if the move appears difficult) since it has predicted your move and completed its assessment of your move.
  • Page 16 Note: Press the RANDOM key to select one of the four Random levels. The RANDOM setting mode will be terminated automatically after 2 seconds. PRO PRINT Key (this function requires a PC and the NOVAG Distributor) This function prints the user's programmable opening book via the serial interface.
  • Page 17 ANALYSE Key (this function requires a PC and the NOVAG Distributor) By using this feature you can ask the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II to play through a game in memory and suggest alternative moves. The computer can be set to analyse for White, Black or both colours.
  • Page 18 The following functions can be accessed by pressing OPTION-I/II once (the LCD will show [oPt 1]) followed by the appropriate key. Whenever this function is activated press GO to return to the playing mode. Note: All functions marked "*" only apply when the SAPPHIRE II is connected to the NOVAG Distributor and a PC. *PRINT MOVES (Key A1) This function determines to send moves to the interface whilst the game is in progress.
  • Page 19 Press the OPTION I/II key once and then press the Ver/Set key to obtain the current rating. The SAPPHIRE II will assign you with 1400 ELO points (shown on the LCD as [rt 1400]) to start with and your rating will be adjusted whilst you are playing games.
  • Page 20 This makes the search faster in most positions but means the computer may miss some important tactical threat. *TEST (Key H8) This function is mainly provided for the authorised NOVAG service technician. Pressing the TAKE BACK key twice will cause the internal test to be performed which checks the hardware of your computer and reports any problems to the interface.
  • Page 21 VII. LCD DISPLAY OF THE NOVAG SAPPHIRE II/ EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS LCD Display of the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II The LCD display of the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II has a 6-digit display. The listed symbols below are used on the display. Figures Letters and symbols...
  • Page 22 Examples & Explanations The following are examples of the most important displays of the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II. This display indicates that the computer is ready and its your move or the move for White. Display after input of the first half move, the location where you wish to move FROM.
  • Page 23 The EASY Mode is activated. The computer asks into which piece your pawn will be promoted/underpromoted. The SAPPHIRE II wishes to promote its pawn which has just moved onto the square a1 and request a Rook in its place. Shows that the game is set back to the beginning of the game by activating the RESTORE...
  • Page 24 Analysis level 3 is selected and is now effective. Easy level 5 is selected and is now effective. Novice playing level 4 is selected and the SAPPHIRE II will play less strongly. A mate-in-4 is entered by using the SOLVE MATE Function.
  • Page 25 Certain opening book lines which are more ACTIVE in nature have been selected. The NOVAG SAPPHIRE II will consult the opening book. The NOVAG SAPPHIRE II learning mode is has been selected. The extensive search algorithm will be employed by the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II. To start the NOVAG SAPPHIRE II self-test function.

  • Page 26: Troubleshooting

    Please check that the key board lock switch has not been accidentally left in the LOCK position. This switch is on the left side panel of the SAPPHIRE II. When using the computer, please ensure that this switch is always set to NORMAL.
  • Page 27 Connection to the NOVAG UNIVERSAL CHESSBOARD: Challenge your NOVAG SAPPHIRE II on this beautiful, full-sized wooden auto-sensory chessboard. It also can be connected to any PC and therefore it is compatible with most of the popular chess software-programs: WChess, Chess Genius, Fritz, Mephisto Advantage, Rebel 7 etc.

  • Page 28: Rules Of Chess

    X. RULES OF CHESS GENERAL MOVES The two players must alternate in making one move at a time. The player with the white pieces moves first to start the game. With the exception of castling (section II.1.), a move is the transfer of a piece from one square to another square which is either vacant or occupied by an enemy piece.
  • Page 29 Fax: (852) 2810 8177 E-Mail: sales@novag.com Web Site: http://www.novag.com Copyright © 2000 Perfect Technology Ltd., Hong Kong. This chess computer has been manufactured under the traditionally high quality and safety standards of Perfect Technology Ltd. and complies with the European standard which is guaranteed by the importer whose name is marked on the enclosed warranty card. Not suitable for children under 36 months...