Saitek Mephisto Talking Chess Trainer - Manual (Page 7)

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ENGLISH
Chess- Primary Secondary
board Time Control Time Control Display
Square Moves Time Moves Time
F1 30 30 min 30 30 min
L:F1 /
30 / 0:30
F2 30
1 hr
remaining 1 hr
L:F2 /
30 min 30 / 1:30
F3 40 2 hr 20 1 hr
L:F3 /
40 / 2:00
F4 40 2 hr remaining 1 hr
L:F4 /
40 / 2:00
F5 40
2 hr
16 1 hr
L:F5 /
30 min 40 / 2:30
F6 45
1 hr
15 30 min
L:F6 /
30 min 45 / 1:30
F7 50
2 hr
20 1 hr
L:F7 /
30 min 50 / 2:30
F8 60 1 hr 30 30 min
L:F8 /
60 / 1:00
• Fixed Depth Levels: G1 to G8. Computer skill is limited
by not being able to look ahead more than the selected
number of moves.
• Tactical Levels: 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 advan-
tage.
Whenever 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 skills—as you beat the computer on each level,
graduate to the next. Keep challenging yourself and learn
more about the game!
3.2 Fun Levels
Selecting any square from A1 to A8 will give you one of
the Fun Levels. In this range, the computer does not make
an exhaustive search for the best available move. Instead, it
disregards scores, and the program also makes use of
randomizers which cause the computer to occasionally make
a move that is not the best one it has found. This introduces
an interesting variability in the computer’s responses, and
sometimes it will seem to make quite human errors of judge-
ment. A1 is the lowest skill level, and A8 is somewhat higher.
3.3 Casual Levels
When the Casual Levels are selected, you are controlling
the skill level of the computer by limiting the average amount
of time it can take to select its move. As the skill level is
increased, the computer will think ahead progressively more
deeply, and consequently play a more skillful game. When
one of these levels is selected from the B or C squares, the
display will alternate between the level selection and the
computer’s average response time, as shown below:
Chessboard Square Time per Move Display
B1 ................. 1 second ................ L:B1 / 00:01
B2 ................ 2 seconds ............... L:B2 / 00:02
B3 ................ 3 seconds ............... L:B3 / 00:03
B4 ................ 5 seconds ............... L:B4 / 00:05
B5 ............... 10 seconds .............. L:B5 / 00:10
B6 ............... 15 seconds .............. L:B6 / 00:15
B7 ............... 20 seconds .............. L:B7 / 00:20
B8 ............... 30 seconds .............. L:B8 / 00:30
C1 ............... 45 seconds .............. L:c1 / 00:45
C2 ................. 1 minute ................. L:c2 / 01:00
C3 ................. 2 minutes ................ L:c3 / 02:00
C4 ................. 3 minutes ................ L:c4 / 03:00
C5 ................. 4 minutes ................ L:c5 / 04:00
C6 ................. 5 minutes ................ L:c6 / 05:00
C7 ................ 10 minutes ............... L:c7 / 10:00
C8 ................ 15 minutes ............... L:c8 / 15:00
3.4 Blitz Levels
The levels on the D squares are the Blitz Levels. If you
wish to play speed chess, or instant death, you can select
from a range of times allowed for the game to be completed.
You may choose between a 5-minute “pressure cooker” of a
game, up to a more relaxed 1-1/2
hour game. When you
select one of these squares, the display will alternate be-
tween the square you have selected and the corresponding
time limit for the game.
Chessboard Square Time per Move Display
D1 ................. 5 minutes ................ L:D1 / 05:00
D2 ................ 10 minutes ............... L:D2 / 10:00
D3 ................ 15 minutes ............... L:D3 / 15:00
D4 ................ 25 minutes ............... L:D4 / 25:00
D5 ................ 30 minutes ............... L:D5 / 30:00
D6 ................ 45 minutes ............... L:D6 / 45:00
D7 ................ 60 minutes ................ L:D7 / 1:00
D8 ................ 90 minutes ................ L:D8 / 1:30
3.5 Bronstein Levels
By selecting a square from E1 to E4, you can choose a
time limit for the game following the Bronstein system. A
basic time is selected for the game, and an increment of a
few seconds is then added to that time whenever a move is
made. The increment is either the free time shown in the
table below, or the actual time taken to move, whichever is
shorter. When you choose one of these levels, the display
cycles through three different pieces of information, each of
which is shown for one second. For example, if you choose
E2 you would see:
• The selected square L:E2 and then…
• The base time in minutes 10:00 and then…
• The free time in seconds 00:05
Chessboard Time for Free Time Display
Square Game per Move
E1 .... 5 minutes ...... 3 seconds ..... L:E1 / 05:00 / 00:03
E2 ... 10 minutes ..... 5 seconds ..... L:E2 / 10:00 / 00:05
E3 ... 15 minutes .... 10 seconds .... L:E3 / 15:00 / 00:10
E4 ... 20 minutes .... 10 seconds .... L:E4 / 20:00 / 00:10
3.6 Bonus Timer Levels
Selection of a square from E5 to E8 gives you the Bonus
Timer Levels. These levels are similar to the Bronstein Lev-
els, except the time increment is always 2 seconds, and it is
added to the time before the move is made.
Chessboard Time for Free Time Display
Square Game per Move
E5 .... 3 minutes ...... 2 seconds ..... L:E5 / 03:00 / 00:02
E6 ... 10 minutes ..... 2 seconds ..... L:E6 / 10:00 / 00:02
E7 ... 20 minutes ..... 2 seconds ..... L:E7 / 20:00 / 00:02
E8 ... 50 minutes ..... 2 seconds ..... L:E8 / 50:00 / 00:02
3.7 Tournament Levels
The F1-F8 squares provide 8 Tournament Levels. When
one of these is selected, you and the computer are each
required to make a prescribed number of moves within a
given amount of time. For example: If you select Level F3,
you will be required to make 40 moves within 2 hours under
the Primary Time Control. If the game is not finished within
that time, the Secondary Time Control period will begin, and
you will be required to make 20 moves within 1 hour. If this
secondary period does not produce a result, it is repeated
until a conclusion is reached.
In accordance with tournament regulations, any time
remaining at completion of the moves of the Primary Time
Control is carried forward and added to the time allowed for
the Secondary Time Control. For example: If you selected
Level F3 and completed the first 40 moves in just one hour,
you would be allowed 2 hours for the next 20 moves. Surplus
time, if any, is carried forward and accumulated in this way
throughout the game.
When you select one of these Tournament Levels, the
display will cycle through three pieces of information, each of