Table of Contents
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK START
KEYS AND FEATURES
INTRODUCTION
1. LET'S GET STARTED!
1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter
1.2 Ready to Play? Here's How to Move!
1.3 Now It's the Computer's Turn
1.4 Change Your Mind? Take Back!
APPENDIX: 20 STUDY GAMES
INTRODUCTION
We'd like to welcome you to the exciting world of computer
chess! Whether you're just starting to learn about this great
game or you're already a seasoned player, using your new
chess computer will give you the opportunity to discover so
much more about chess than you ever thought possible! Take
a look through this manual to get an overview of your
computer's capabilities-all the special features and modes,
all the unique options and playing levels. And take advantage
of them over time, one by one! You'll have great fun-and
you'll never look at chess the same way again!
Your computer knows all the rules of chess-and it will
never cheat! For those of you who haven't played before, we
have included a brief overview of the rules to get you started.
For more detailed information, why not visit your local library,
where you're sure to find lots of interesting chess books!
1. LET'S GET STARTED!
1.1
First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter
Your computer runs on four "C" (Type AM2/R14) batteries.
Insert the batteries into the compartment in the base of the
unit, making sure to observe the correct polarity. Use fresh
alkaline batteries for longer battery life!
If you would rather not power your unit with batteries, you
may purchase an optional AC-DC adapter. Please use only
the adapter specified in Section 9.3. Using any other adapter
could damage the computer and will invalidate your warranty.
Please also read the precautionary information regarding
adapter use in Section 9.2. When using an adapter, first plug
it into a wall outlet, and then into your computer.
Important: To ensure that the computer's memory con-
tents are not lost, keep good batteries installed in the unit
even when you are using an AC-DC adapter.
Turn the computer on by pressing GO/STOP, and a beep
will signal that the game is ready to play. If the computer fails
to respond (static discharge may cause it to lock up), use a
paper clip or another sharp object to press down into the hole
marked ACL in the base of the unit for at least one second.
This will reset the computer.
Tip: To conserve energy and extend battery life, turn on
the Auto Power Down option (see Section 5.1).
1.2
Ready to Play? Here's How to Move!
Okay, now it's time to start a game! It's so easy-just follow
these steps:
a. Press GO/STOP to turn the computer on, if you haven't
already done so.
b. Press the CLEAR and ENTER keys together to reset
the computer for a NEW GAME of chess. Set up the
pieces in their starting positions, with the White pieces
nearest to you, as shown in the Quick Start .
c. To make a move, lightly press down on the piece you
want to move until you hear a beep and two board lights
turn on to indicate that square. The sensory board will
recognize your piece automatically. Don't believe it?
Just look at the display window, which is suddenly full of
information-it shows your piece, along with the piece
color and the square you just pressed!
d. Take that piece and gently press it down on the square
to which you are moving. You'll hear a second beep as
the computer confirms your move. That's it-you've just
made your first move of the game! Next, it's Black's
turn-and the computer will make its first move.
You'll notice that the computer often moves instantly at the
beginning of a game, instead of taking time to think. This is
because it is playing from memory, using a built-in "book" of
opening moves (for more information, see Section 2.7).
1.3
Now It's the Computer's Turn
When the computer makes its move, it beeps and turns on
two board lights indicating the square of the piece it wants to
move. It also shows its full move in the display window.
Check it out-you'll see the from and to squares of the
computer's move, along with the color and type of piece it is
moving. Notice that the from square is flashing in the display.
Press the indicated piece down on the from square until you
hear a beep. The to square is now flashing in the display-
move that same piece to the indicated to square and press it
down to complete the computer's move. And it's your turn
again...
By the way, while you're thinking about your next move,
notice that the chess piece symbols are displayed, one by
one, counting "up" from pawn to King. This means the built-in
chess clock is in normal mode, counting your elapsed time. If
the Countdown Clock is activated, as noted in Section 5.1,
the displayed symbols will reverse direction. You'll find details
on all the chess clock features in Section 4.3!
1.4
Change Your Mind? Take Back!
When you're playing chess against this computer, nothing
is "set in stone"-you can change your mind or decide to play
1
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Related Manuals for Saitek Centurion
Summary of Contents for Saitek Centurion
-
Page 1: Table Of Contents
Insert the batteries into the compartment in the base of the TABLE OF CONTENTS unit, making sure to observe the correct polarity. Use fresh alkaline batteries for longer battery life! QUICK START If you would rather not power your unit with batteries, you KEYS AND FEATURES may purchase an optional AC-DC adapter. -
Page 2: Game Over? Why Not Play Again
a different move whenever you want! When it’s your turn to move, simply press TAKE BACK. The display shows the MAKING THE COMPUTER’S MOVE: move to be taken back, with the original to square flashing AN EXAMPLE! and indicated by board lights. Press the piece down gently on the indicated square, and the computer shows you where that piece came from by flashing that display and using board lights to point to that square. -
Page 3: Interrupting The Computer's Search
2.5 Interrupting the Computer’s Search Think the computer is taking too long to move? You can NEED HELP CHOOSING A LEVEL? interrupt it any time! Simply press ENTER while the computer SOME TIPS FOR YOU! is thinking, and it will stop and play the best move it has found so far. -
Page 4: Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B7)
D6 ....45 minutes ....0:45;99 D7 ....60 minutes ....1:00;99 3.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B7) D8 ....90 minutes ....1:30;99 LEVEL TIME PER MOVE DISPLAY A1 ....1 second ....L 0:01 On the Blitz Levels (also called Speed Chess or “Sudden A2 .... -
Page 5: Self-Adaptive Weak Levels (Squares H1-H8)
USE THIS CHART TO SELECT A PLAYING LEVEL! LEVEL Press LEVEL to enter Level Mode. Next, select your level, using the chart below. There are two ways to do this. • Cycle through the levels until your level is displayed: Press BLACK/>... -
Page 6: Info Mode: Watch The Computer Think
For more information on ELO ratings, see Section 7. INFO MODE AT A GLANCE! For details, see Section 4. 4. INFO MODE: WATCH THE COMPUTER THINK! Imagine this: You’re playing chess against a friend, and PRINCIPAL VARIATION INFO: it’s his move. You’d love to know what move he’s thinking about, and you’d really like to get his opinion of the board INFO •... -
Page 7: Move Count/Game Moves
CLEAR and ENTER together, the chess clocks are always reset. PLAYING BLACK FROM THE BOTTOM? During the game, a clock showing elapsed time will display HERE’S THE POSITION! the piece symbols one by one, from pawn to King. A clock showing countdown time will show the symbols going in the When the computer plays opposite direction, from King to pawn. -
Page 8: Operation Mode Options (Squares A1-H1)
THE BASICS OF OPTION MODE: HERE’S HOW! OPTION Press repeatedly to select a Mode: x1 = OPERATION MODE (Auto...) x2 = ROTATING DISPLAY MODE (rd:1...) x3 = BRONSTEIN CLOCK MODE (bron) x4 = back to OPERATION MODE... Next, select your option(s), using the chart below. There are two ways to do this. •... -
Page 9: Teach Mode: Learn About Tactics
tion is automatically reversed. Additionally, this option will go back to its default setting of OFF when you start a new game A LOOK AT THE TEACH MODES! or a teach mode game. 1. Press LEVEL, and the current playing level LEVEL h. -
Page 10: Study Mode: Try Rating Yourself
you choose—just like in a normal game. After deciding on the level, you are ready to activate Teach Mode! STARTING UP STUDY MODE! Selecting a piece to study is easy—simply press any PIECE SYMBOL KEY (%, $, #, @, or !) except KING (&). 1. -
Page 11: Verifying/Setting Up Positions
doesn’t give you as high a rating as you’d like, just keep working on the Study Games—and watch your rating go up IT’S EASY TO VERIFY PIECES! as you learn and improve! Bonus: The Appendix at the end of this manual gives a 1. -
Page 12: Technical Details
• To exit Position Mode, press CLEAR. You will return to normal game play, with your new board position! Note that any legal position can be set up using the above procedures. The computer will not permit you to set up an illegal position, such as one where there are more than the prescribed number of pieces for a normal game, or one where a King is in check and is not to move. -
Page 13: Troubleshooting Guide
TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE SYMPTOMS POSSIBLE CAUSES ACTION TO TAKE The computer doesn’t react, • Batteries are not installed correctly. • Reinstall the batteries, making sure to observe behaves erratically, or the correct polarity. “freezes” during a game. • Batteries are weak or bad. •... - Page 14 APPENDIX: 20 STUDY GAMES (See Section 7) 10. Bf1-b5 Ke8-f8 10. Qd1-b3 Nd7-f6 12. Ne4-g3 e6-e5 9. Bc1-d2 Bb4xd2+ Game #1 – tst: 1 11. Bb5xc6 b7xc6 11. Bc1-d2 Nf6-e4 13. 0-0 e5xd4 10. Qd1xd2 0-0 Morphy - Count 12. d4xe5 d6xe5 12.
- Page 15 14. Qc2-e2 Bb4-d6 21. Rb1-d1 Kc8-b7 22. Qg4-g3 Qf6-e6 17. Rb1-e1 Nd7-f8 15. e2-e4 e6-e5 15. Bc1-b2 Qc3-a5 22. d3-d4 Qc5-d6 23. h2-h3 Ra8-d8 18. f2-f4 Bc8-e6 16. c4-c5 Bd6-f8 16. Rf1-d1 Rh8-d8 23. Rf2-c2 e5xd4 24. Re2-d2 Re4-e5 19. f4-f5 Bg7-h6 17.