Casual Levels; Special Modes To Explore; Verify Mode; Non Auto Mode - Saitek Alchemist Plus Quick Start Manual

conquer each level, graduate to the next!
The levels marked with plus signs (+ and ++) indicate
small, incremental jumps in the search depth. On these
levels, the computer will look ahead that particular number of
ply, plus a few extra moves (+), or a few more selected extra
moves (++).
Note that the computer may take a long time to move on
some of the Fixed Depth Levels. On Levels C6 and above,
for instance, it might not be unusual for the computer to think
for an hour or more. Please be assured that this is normal for
these particular levels! To interrupt the computer and force it
to make a move, simply press PLAY.
3.3 Casual Levels (Squares E1-H8)
LEVEL SQUARE TIME PER MOVE
E1 .............. 1 second ............... L:E1 / 00:01
E2 .............. 2 seconds ............. L:E2 / 00:02
E3 .............. 3 seconds ............. L:E3 / 00:03
E4 .............. 4 seconds ............. L:E4 / 00:04
E5 .............. 5 seconds ............. L:E5 / 00:05
E6 .............. 6 seconds ............. L:E6 / 00:06
E7 .............. 7 seconds ............. L:E7 / 00:07
E8 .............. 8 seconds ............. L:E8 / 00:08
-------------------------------------------------------------
F1 .............. 9 seconds ............. L:F1 / 00:09
F2 ............ 10 seconds ............. L:F2 / 00:10
F3 ............ 11 seconds ............. L:F3 / 00:11
F4 ............ 12 seconds ............. L:F4 / 00:12
F5 ............ 13 seconds ............. L:F5 / 00:13
F6 ............ 14 seconds ............. L:F6 / 00:14
F7 ............ 15 seconds ............. L:F7 / 00:15
F8 ............ 16 seconds ............. L:F8 / 00:16
-------------------------------------------------------------
G1 ............ 20 seconds ............. L:G1 / 00:20
G2 ............ 25 seconds ............. L:G2 / 00:25
G3 ............ 30 seconds ............. L:G3 / 00:30
G4 ............ 35 seconds ............. L:G4 / 00:35
G5 ............ 40 seconds ............. L:G5 / 00:40
G6 ............ 45 seconds ............. L:G6 / 00:45
G7 ............ 50 seconds ............. L:G7 / 00:50
G8 ............ 55 seconds ............. L:G8 / 00:55
-------------------------------------------------------------
H1 .............. 1 minute ................ L:H1 / 01:00
H2 .............. 2 minutes .............. L:H2 / 02:00
H3 .............. 3 minutes .............. L:H3 / 03:00
H4 .............. 4 minutes .............. L:H4 / 04:00
H5 .............. 5 minutes .............. L:H5 / 05:00
H6 .............. 6 minutes .............. L:H6 / 06:00
H7 ............ 10 minutes .............. L:H7 / 10:00
H8 ............ 15 minutes .............. L:H8 / 15:00
The Casual Levels allow you to control the computer's
strength by limiting the time it has to think for each move.
When you choose one of these levels, you are selecting the
computer's average response time per move. As the levels
go up, the computer becomes stronger—and the more time
you give the computer, the better it will play!
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.

4. SPECIAL MODES TO EXPLORE

4.1 Verify Mode

See "IT'S EASY TO VERIFY PIECES!" for a step-by-
step example of using Verify Mode.
If you should knock over the chess pieces or if you think
your board position may be incorrect, the computer can
verify all the piece locations for you!
When it's your turn, press one of the PIECE SYMBOL
KEYS. The computer will show the symbol for that piece,
along with the square location of the first piece of that type.
Press that same PIECE SYMBOL KEY repeatedly to see the
ALTERNATING DISPLAY
6
IT'S EASY TO VERIFY PIECES!
1. Press NEW GAME and set up the pieces in the
NEW GAME
initial starting position.
2. Press ROOK.
Display: White Rook on Square A1.
3. Press ROOK again.
Display: White Rook on Square H1.
4. Press ROOK again.
Display: Black Rook on Square A8.
5. Press ROOK again.
Display: Black Rook on Square H8.
6. Press ROOK again. Display: No more
Rooks. Repeat for any other piece! To
continue, make the next move.
board locations of all pieces of that same type. All the White
pieces ([) are shown first, and then all the Black pieces (]).
When there are no more pieces of that type, the computer
will sound a double beep and show two dashes, along with
the piece symbol and the symbol for White. When there are
no more Bishops on the board, for example, you'll see :__
displayed, along with [ and #. The computer will then return
to your previous game display.
To verify other pieces, repeat the same steps using the
other PIECE SYMBOL KEYS. When you're finished, simply
make your next move.
Note that the computer will e xit Verify Mode automatically
if no keypresses are made for about three seconds.

4.2 Non Auto Mode

Normally, the computer automatically answers with a
countermove whenever you enter a move. If you press NON
AUTO to enter Non Auto Mode, however, you can enter any
number of moves one by one, without allowing the computer
to answer!
Since you won't be playing against Alec in this mode,
he'll disappear as soon as you press NON AUTO! Don't
worry, though—when you return to normal play, Little
Alec will be back!
This feature can be used in a number of ways:
• Play through master chess games. Press PLAY to see
what the computer would do in any position!
• Study opening book lines by entering them man ually.
• Replay to any board position for further study.
• Play chess against a friend, with the computer acting as
referee. It will monitor your game, checking all moves for
legality and keeping track of the time for both sides! If
you should need help with a move, press PLAY and the
computer will mak e the next move for your side. After the
computer has mo ved, Non Auto Mode remains in effect,
and you can continue your game!
To exit Non Auto Mode and return to normal game play at
any time, press NON AUTO again. A double beep will verify
that this mode has been cancelled, and Alec will reappear in
the display! Note that Non Auto Mode is also automatically
cancelled whenever you press NEW GAME.

4.3 Teach Mode

See "SELECTING A TEACH MODE GAME!" for an
illustrated look at trying out Teach Mode!
Your computer offers 11 Teach Modes, which allow you to
study basic moves and master the tactics of the individual
chess pieces, one by one! For each Teach Mode game, the
only pieces on the board will be Kings, Pawns, and your
For more details, see Section 4.1.