Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-G2); Infinite Level (Square H2) - Saitek Chess Explorer Instructions Manual

• To verify the level without changing it: If you press LEVEL to
verify the level but you don't want to actually change levels, press
CLEAR. This returns you to normal play without changing the level
or clock settings, even while the computer is thinking.
Other important points to remember regarding levels:
• Changing the level always resets the chess clocks.
• We do not recommend changing levels while the computer is
thinking. If you must do this, first press ENTER to abort the
computer's search, and make its move on the board. Then, take
back the computer's move and change the level. Finally, press
ENTER to make the computer start thinking on the new level.
• If you change the level while the computer is thinking, the clock is
reset and the current search is aborted.
• If you press LEVEL while the computer is thinking but the level is
not changed (if you press CLEAR instead of ENTER), the com-
puter will also abort its search.

3.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-G2)

LEVEL TIME PER MOVE
A1 .................... 1 second .................... L 0:01
B1 .................... 2 seconds .................. L 0:02
C1 .................... 3 seconds .................. L 0:03
D1 .................... 5 seconds .................. L 0:05
E1 .................. 10 seconds .................. L 0:10
F1 .................. 15 seconds .................. L 0:15
G1 .................. 20 seconds .................. L 0:20
H1 .................. 30 seconds .................. L 0:30
A2 .................. 45 seconds .................. L 0:45
B2 .................... 1 minute .................... L 1:00
C2 .................... 1.5 minutes ............... L 1:30
D2 .................... 2 minutes ................... L 2:00
E2 .................... 3 minutes ................... L 3:00
F2 .................... 5 minutes ................... L 5:00
G2 .................. 10 minutes ................... L10:00
When you choose one of the Normal Playing Levels, you are select-
ing an average response time for the computer. Note that the times are
averaged over a large number of moves. In the opening and endgame,
the computer tends to play faster, but in complicated middlegame
positions, it may take longer to move.

3.2 Infinite Level (Square H2)

finds a forced mate or forced move; until it has fully searched the
position to its maximum depth; or until you stop the search by pressing
ENTER. If you halt the search, the computer makes the move it cur-
rently thinks is best. Try experimenting with this level—set up interest-
ing board positions and let the computer analyze them for you! It will
think for hours or even days on end, trying to come up with the best
possible move. And don't forget to watch the computer as it thinks—
take advantage of the Rotating Display feature (see Section 5.3).
3.3 Tournament Levels (Squares A3-H3)
LEVEL
DISPLAY
moves within a given amount of time. If a player exceeds the allotted
time for a given number of moves, the computer flashes TImE along
with the elapsed time to show that the game is over. If you wish, you
can continue to play even after the time has run out.
clocks to display countdown time instead of the elapsed time (see
Section 5.1). When the game time runs out, the countdown clock
automatically reverts back to the normal clock display.
3.4 Blitz Levels (Squares A4-H4)
8
LEVEL TIME
H2 ................. No time limit ................. 9:99:99
On the Infinite Level, the computer will search indefinitely, until it
MOVES/TOTAL TIME
A3 ..... 40 moves in 1 hr. 30 min. ................. tr40
B3 ..... 35 moves in 1 hr. 45 min. ................. tr35
C3 ..... 40 moves in 1 hr. 45 min. ................. tr40
D3 ..... 35 moves in 1 hr. 30 min. ................. tr35
E3 ..... 40 moves in 2 hrs. ............................. tr40
F3 ..... 45 moves in 2 hrs 30 min. ................. tr45
G3 .... 50 moves in 2 hrs. ............................. tr50
H3 ..... 40 moves in 3 hrs. ............................. tr40
The Tournament Levels require you to make a certain number of
If you choose a Tournament Level, you may want to set the chess
LEVEL TIME PER GAME
A4 .................... 5 minutes ................... bL: 5
B4 .................. 10 minutes ................... bL:10
C4 .................. 15 minutes ................... bL:15
D4 .................. 20 minutes ................... bL:20
DISPLAY
ALTERNATING DISPLAY
1:30:00
1:45:00
1:45:00
1:30:00
2:00:00
2:30:00
2:00:00
3:00:00
DISPLAY