Playing Mode Options (Squares A2-H2) - Saitek Mephisto Expert Travel Chess Instructions Manual

e. Ticking Clock (Square E1)
On:+tic Off:-tic
When you turn this option on, you activate a ticking sound that makes
the computer's clock sound like a real chess clock. Just imagine—you
can create the atmosphere of a championship chess tournament in your
very own living room!
f. Countdown Clock (Square F1)
On:+c:dn Off:-c:dn
Turning this option on causes the computer to display the countdown
time instead of the elapsed time. Notice that the piece symbols also
reverse direction, counting "down" from King to pawn. This option is only
available in combination with the Tournament and Blitz Levels.
g. Play White from the Top (Square G1)
On:+toP Off:-toP
Want to depart from the usual standard and let the computer play the
White pieces from the top of the board? Then try out this interesting
option. Choose +toP at the beginning of a new game, and set up the
board with the Black pieces closest to you, as shown in the diagram in
this section. Then, press ENTER to start the game. Watch as the
computer makes the first move for White from the top of the board.
See "PLAYING BLACK FROM THE BOTTOM? HERE'S THE
POSITION" for the correct piece set-up when using this option.
When the computer plays White from the top, the board notation is
automatically reversed. Additionally, this option will go back to its default
setting of OFF when you start a new game.
h. Auto Power Down (Square H1)
On:+aPd Off:-aPd
Auto Power Down option is a handy battery-saving feature. With this
option activated, the computer will automatically turn itself off if no
keypresses or moves are made for about 15 minutes. To continue the
game where you left off, press GO/STOP to turn the unit back on. Note
that the computer will not turn itself off while it is thinking about a move.

5.2 Playing Mode Options (Squares A2-H2)

Press OPTION twice to select the Playing Mode Options. Then
use the BLACK/+ and WHITE/– keys to select options within this group,
PLAYING BLACK FROM THE
BOTTOM?
HERE'S THE POSITION
When the computer plays White from
the top (Section 5.1, Option G1), be sure
to set up the pieces correctly! Notice that
the Kings and Queens are positioned
differently, and the board notation is
reversed.
and press ENTER to turn options on (+) or off (–). Or, simply press the
option squares to turn options on or off.
a. Selective Search (Square A2)
On:+SEL Off:-SEL
The program in this chess computer normally uses a Selective
Search algorithm. This allows the computer to see combinations that
would otherwise take much longer to compute. Turning this option off by
choosing -SEL makes the program switch to a powerful Brute Force
algorithm. This method minimizes the risk of an occasional oversight.
Note that the Mate Search Levels always use the Brute Force
method.
b. Easy Mode (Square B2)
On:+EAsy Off:-EASy
Want to win more games against the computer? Try turning on Easy
Mode, which prevents the computer from thinking on your time! This
weakens all the playing levels without affecting the computer's time
controls. Normally, as described in Section 2.8, the computer thinks on
your time, using the time you are contemplating your next move to think
ahead and plan its strategies. This is part of what makes your computer
such a tough opponent! By using Easy Mode to make all the levels
weaker, you effectively have many more levels to choose from.
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