Illegal Moves; Interrupting The Computer's Search; Changing Sides With The Computer; Getting Hints From The Computer - Saitek Alchemist Quick Start Manual

usual. After you press its 'from' square, the display
indicates the piece type that the pawn will be promoted
to by showing the piece symbol and the 'to' square.
Press down on the 'to' square with the indicated new
piece to complete the computer's promotion move.
d. CASTLING: The computer automatically recognizes
castling after the King is moved. After you have
pressed the King down on its 'from' and 'to' squares,
the computer displays the Rook's 'from' square. Press
down on this square. The computer then displays the
Rook symbol, along with the square the Rook should
move to. Press down on the Rook's 'to' square to
complete the move (see Figure 2-2).

2.3 Illegal Moves

Your computer will never accept an illegal move. If you
attempt an illegal move, the computer gives a low tone error
'beep' and the display keeps showing the 'from' square.
Press on that square to clear the illegal move; then move
again.
Also, if you should move the computer's piece incorrectly
you will also hear an error 'beep'. This can happen if you
move the wrong piece or move a piece to the wrong square.
Check the display and move again.
If you press a piece and the 'from' square shows in the
display, but you decide not to make that move, press that
same square once again to cancel. Be careful not to make
mistakes when the sound is off, as you will not be able to
hear the error 'beeps'.

2.4 Interrupting the Computer's Search

To interrupt the computer while it is thinking, press PLAY,
and the computer will play the best move it has found so far.
This can be most useful in games at a high level of play,
when an exhaustive search for the best move can be quite
time consuming.

2.5 Changing Sides with the Computer

To change sides with the computer, press PLAY when it is
your turn. The computer will make the next move for your
side. Change sides as often as you wish!

2.6 Getting Hints from the Computer

If you need help, you can have the computer show you
what it would do in your position! Press PLAY on your turn,
and the computer will make the next move for you.
To keep this move as your own, make the
displayed move on the board, press PLAY again
and the computer will make its next move; then
continue the game by making your own next move.
If you do not want to use the computer's move, first
make the displayed move on the board, and then
take it back. Once you have cleared the move in
this way, you can make your own move.

2.7 The Computer Plays Against Itself

To watch the computer play a game against itself,
press PLAY for every move. Study its playing
strategies to learn more about chess!

2.8 Game Memory and Automatic Power Down

You may interrupt a game by pressing GO/STOP
to turn the computer off. The computer will
"remember" your position for up to 600 hours (with
fresh alkaline batteries). When you switch on again,
continue where you left off!
If you do not press a key or make a move within
about 20 minutes when the computer is not
thinking, the computer will switch off to conserve
power, and will retain the game in memory. Press
GO/STOP to resume the unfinished game.

2.9 Openings Library

At the beginning of a game, the computer's reply
is usually instantaneous because the computer is
playing moves which are stored in its openings
library . If the current board position is in its openings library,
the computer plays a response to that position from its
collection of moves, instead of thinking about the move.

3. LEVELS AND SPECIAL MODES

3.1 Levels of Play

With 768 level settings to choose from (including the
Extended Teach modes), you can learn and grow with this
chess computer! As shown in the charts of playing levels in
the following paragraphs, each level corresponds to one of
the 64 board squares. The basic levels are categorized into
8 groups intended to suit users of different abilities:
• Fun Levels: A1 to A8. For the early beginner. A1 is
easiest.
• Casual Levels: B1 to C8. For games not against the
clock. Full range of difficulty from easy (B1) to
extremely challenging (C8). When you first power up
the computer B4 will be the selected level.
• Blitz: D1 to D8. Also known as "Sudden Death".
Game must be concluded within the selected time.
• Bronstein: E1 to E4. The game must be concluded
within the selected time, which is then increased by an
amount to compensate for each move. The
compensation is the actual time used or the allowed
time, whichever is shorter.
• Bonus Timer: E5 to E8. The game must be
concluded within the selected time, which is increased
by a prescribed amount to compensate for each move
before the move is made.
• Tournament: F1 to F8. A certain number of moves
must be made within the given amount of time.
• Fixed Depth: G1 to G8. Computer skill is limited by
not being able to look ahead more than the selected
number of moves.
• Tactical: H1 to H8. Computer skill is limited by not
being able to look ahead more than the selected
number of moves, and by not evaluating strategic
advantage.
When you set the level, bear in mind that when the
computer has more time to think about its moves, it gets
stronger and plays better – just like a human player!
Sharpen your chess skill – as you beat the computer on
each level, graduate to the next. Keep challenging yourself
and learn more about the game!
CHOOSE A LEVEL FROM THE 64 BOARD SQUARES
H8 H16 B8 B16
8
H7 H15 B7 B15
7
H6 H14 B6 B14
6
H5 H13 B5 B13
5
H4 H12 B4 B12
4
H3 H11 B3 B11
3
H2 H10 B2 B10
2
H1 H9 B1 B9
1
A B C
5
I8 I16 A8
I7 I15 A7
I6 I14 A6
I5 I13 A5
I4 I12 A4
I3 I11 A3
I2 I10 A2
I1 I9 A1
D E F G
A16
A15
A14
A13
A12
A11
A10
A9
H