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*Increase as user's time per move.
Are you a novice or beginning chess player? If so, these levels are
especially for you! Here, the computer restricts its search so that it
deliberately plays weaker and gives you a better chance to win!
The Fun Levels start out easy and get a little harder as you go. The
computer's playing strength goes up gradually from Levels E1 to E6—
but be prepared for some stiffer competition when you reach Levels E7
and E8! These two highest Fun Levels represent a much greater jump
in playing strength, and you'll notice that they're quite a bit more chal-
lenging. Try out all the Fun Levels—as you beat each one, go on to the
next! By the time you reach Levels E7 and E8, your improved chess
skills should make them much easier to handle!
3.6 Mate Search Levels (Squares F1-F8)
LEVEL
PROBLEM
F1 .................... Mate in 1 ................... =in: 1
F2 .................... Mate in 2 ................... =in: 2
F3 .................... Mate in 3 ................... =in: 3
F4 .................... Mate in 4 ................... =in: 4
F5 .................... Mate in 5 ................... =in: 5
F6 .................... Mate in 6 ................... =in: 6
F7 .................... Mate in 7 ................... =in: 7
F8 .................... Mate in 8 ................... =in: 8
Selecting one of these levels activates a special Mate Finder Pro-
gram. If you have a position where there may be a mate and you would
like the computer to find it, set the computer on one of the Mate Search
Levels. Your computer can solve mates in up to eight moves. Mates in
one to five are usually found quite quickly, whereas solutions taking six
to eight moves may take quite some time. If there is no mate present or
the computer can't find a mate, it will sound an error beep and display a
series of dashes (– – – – –). To continue play, simply switch to another
level.
3.7 Training Levels (Squares G1-G8)
LEVEL
SEARCH DEPTH
G1 ................... 1 move ........................PLY: 1
G2 ................... 2 moves ......................PLY: 2
G3 ................... 3 moves ......................PLY: 3
G4 ................... 4 moves ......................PLY: 4
G5 ................... 5 moves ......................PLY: 5
certain number of moves, as shown above. As you cycle through the
levels, the computer displays PLY: # for each level. A "ply" is an indi-
vidual move (a move for either side), and "#" is the number representing
the search depth. For example, on Level G1, the computer searches to
a depth of one ply (PLY: 1), and thus looks ahead only one individual
move. On this level, therefore, it will often overlook a mate in one. This
produces weaker play, giving beginners a better chance of beating the
computer!
3.8 Self-Adaptive Weak Levels (Squares H1-H8)
DISPLAY
starting out! Here, beginners have the chance to interact with the
computer on eight weakened levels of varying ELO rating strengths,
and the computer's strength is adjusted to match that of the player. Not
sure what an ELO rating is? It's a way of measuring chess performance!
Chess ratings are usually four-digit numbers, with stronger players
having higher ratings. Towards the upper end of the scale, masters rank
in at 2200 and above. Just for your information, on some of its stronger
levels, your computer is rated at over 2000 ELO!
beginners, however, here the computer will set its playing strength to a
deliberately weakened setting of about –350 ELO on the lowest level
DISPLAY
(H1). On the other end, Level H8 matches the player's strength by
putting the ELO difference at zero. As you play, the computer will try to
keep this difference constant. That is, if you play badly, the computer
will not play well either—but it will fight to win back material it has lost to
you, if necessary. On the other hand, if you play stronger, the computer
9
G6 ................... 6 moves ......................PLY: 6
G7 ................... 7 moves ......................PLY: 7
G8 ................... 8 moves ......................PLY: 8
On the Training Levels, the computer's search depth is limited to a
LEVEL
TYPE
H1 ............... Self-Adaptive 1 ............. Adt: 1
H2 ............... Self-Adaptive 2 ............. Adt: 2
H3 ............... Self-Adaptive 3 ............. Adt: 3
H4 ............... Self-Adaptive 4 ............. Adt: 4
H5 ............... Self-Adaptive 5 ............. Adt: 5
H6 ............... Self-Adaptive 6 ............. Adt: 6
H7 ............... Self-Adaptive 7 ............. Adt: 7
H8 ............... Self-Adaptive 8 ............. Adt: 8
The Self-Adaptive Weak Levels are perfect for players who are just
Since these Self-Adaptive Weak Levels are meant especially for
DISPLAY
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