Saitek Mephisto Maestro Chess Mode D'emploi page 7

extends the battery life of the set, as well as expanding
the playing range to a total of 256 level settings.
Setting a Playing Level
There are two methods of setting the playing level. You
can choose levels by using the game keys or the board
squares. Whichever method you use, you must always
press LEVEL first to enter Level Mode. Note that chang-
ing a level always resets the chess clocks.
To select a level using the game keys, first press
LEVEL, and the computer displays the current playing
level. For an overview of all 64 levels, please refer to the
Level Chart. The levels are also described individually in
this section.
When you enter Level Mode the first time, the com-
puter is automatically set on Level 4 (with an average
response time of five seconds a move), and the display
shows L0:05. Change levels one at a time by using the
BLACK/+ and WHITE/– keys. As a shortcut, press
LEVEL repeatedly to skip over eight levels at a time.
When the display shows the desired level, press ENTER
to enter your selection into the computer and exit Level
Mode.
Note: If you press LEVEL to verify the level but do not
want to actually change levels, press CLEAR. This allows
you to exit Level Mode without changing the level or clock
settings, even while the computer is thinking.
Another method of changing levels is to use the board
squares. As indicated in the Level Chart, each of the 64
squares corresponds to one level. Press LEVEL to enter
Level Mode, then press a square to activate a level, using
the chart as a guide. When you press down on the de-
sired square and the level shows in the display, press
ENTER to enter your selection into the computer and exit
Level Mode. When making your selection via the board
squares, press CLEAR which has the same effect as
pressing ENTER—it enters your level into the computer.
Note that changing the level always resets the chess
clocks. It is not recommended that you change the playing
level while the computer is thinking. If you want to change the
level, press ENTER to force the computer to abort the search
and make the computer's move, if any. After taking back the
computer's move and changing the level, press ENTER to
have the computer start thinking on a new playing level.
3.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B8)
LEVEL TIME PER MOVE
1 ................ 1 second .......... L 0:01
2 ................ 2 seconds ........ L 0:02
3 ................ 3 seconds ........ L 0:03
4 ................ 5 seconds ........ L 0:05
5 .............. 10 seconds ........ L 0:10
6 .............. 15 seconds ........ L 0:15
7 .............. 20 seconds ........ L 0:20
8 .............. 30 seconds ........ L 0:30
9 .............. 45 seconds ........ L 0:45
10 ............... 1 minute ........... L 1:00
11 ............ 1.5 minutes ......... L 1:30
12 ............... 2 minutes ......... L 2:00
13 ............... 3 minutes ......... L 3:00
14 ............... 5 minutes ......... L 5:00
15 ............. 10 minutes ......... L10:00
16 ............. 15 minutes ......... L15:00
When you select one of the Normal Playing Levels,
you are selecting an average response time for the com-
puter. Note that the times are averaged over a large
number of moves. In the openings and endgame, the
computer tends to play faster, but in complicated middle-
game positions, it may take longer to move.
• Are you a beginner? Start out with the Fun Levels or
• Are you an intermediate or advanced chess player?
• Want to experiment? Try the Speed Chess Levels for
3.2 Tournament Levels (Squares C1-C8)
The Tournament Levels require you to make a certain
number of moves within a specified amount of time. If a
player exceeds the allotted time for a given number of
moves, the computer beeps and flashes tinE along with
the elapsed time to signify the game is over. If you wish,
you may continue to play even after the time has run out.
Note: If you select a Tournament Level, you may want
to set the chess clocks to display countdown time instead
of the elapsed time (see Section 6.1). When the game
time runs out, the countdown clock automatically reverts
back to the normal clock display.
3.3 Speed Chess Levels (Squares D1-D8)
DISPLAY
On the Speed Chess Levels (also called "Sudden
Death" Levels), you set the total time for the whole game.
If the game time is exceeded, the computer beeps and
flashes tinE (along with the elapsed time) to show that
the game is over.
Note: If you select a Speed Chess Level, you may
want to set the chess clocks to display countdown time
instead of the elapsed time (see Section 6.1). When the
game time runs out, the countdown clock automatically
reverts back to the normal clock display.
3.4 Fun Levels (Squares E1-E7)
7
TIPS ON CHOOSING A LEVEL!
lower Training Levels. These levels restrict the computer's
search depth, resulting in weaker play, and giving you the
chance to learn about the game and perhaps even win! For
even more of a shot at winning, combine one of these
levels with the Power Saving option, so the computer thinks
for less time. For details, see Section 6.2.
Try the Normal or Tournament Levels, or the higher Train-
ing Levels. The Normal Levels range from easy all the way
up to a difficult 15-minute response time. The Training
Levels allow you to set your desired search depth—as you
conquer each level, go on to the next! The Tournament
Levels are the most challenging.
some fast and exciting games. Or use the Problem Solving
Levels to solve problems up to mate in eight—search from
a position in one of your games, or set up an actual mate
problem for the computer to solve!
LEVEL TIME
17 ...... 1 hour 30 min. ........... 40 .... 1:30;40
18 ...... 1 hour 45 min. ........... 35 .... 1:45;35
19 ...... 1 hour 45 min. ........... 40 .... 1:45;40
20 ...... 1 hour 30 min. ........... 35 .... 1:30;35
21 ...... 2 hours ...................... 40 .... 2:00;40
22 ...... 2 hours 30 min. ......... 45 .... 2:30;45
23 ...... 2 hours ...................... 50 .... 2:00;50
24 ...... 3 hours ...................... 40 .... 3:00;40
LEVEL TIME PER GAME
25 ........... 5 minutes ...... 0:05;99
26 ......... 10 minutes ...... 0:10;99
27 ......... 15 minutes ...... 0:15;99
28 ......... 20 minutes ...... 0:20;99
29 ......... 30 minutes ...... 0:30;99
30 ......... 45 minutes ...... 0:45;99
31 ......... 60 minutes ...... 1:00;99
32 ......... 90 minutes ...... 1:30;99
LEVEL TIME PER MOVE
33 .......... 1 second ........... Fun:1
34 .......... 2 seconds ......... Fun:2
MOVES DISPLAY
DISPLAY
DISPLAY