Saitek Mephisto Maestro Chess Mode D'emploi page 9

can still be a valuable training tool. A game can be
started on a Fun Level, for example, and, when the com-
puter makes a bad move, the player can switch to a
Normal Level and try to convert his advantage to a win,
playing against the stiffer opposition of a higher level.
3.5 Infinite Level (Square E8)
LEVEL TIME
40 .................. Infinite ........... 9:99;99
On the Infinite Level, the computer searches indefi-
nitely until it finds a forced mate (or forced move), until it
has fully searched the position to its maximum depth, or
until you stop the search by pressing ENTER. If the
search is halted, the computer makes the move it cur-
rently thinks is best. Use the Infinite Level to let the com-
puter analyze complicated positions for hours or days!
3.6 Problem Solving Levels (Squares F1-F8)
LEVEL PROBLEM
41 ................ Mate in 1 ............ =in:1
42 ................ Mate in 2 ............ =in:2
43 ................ Mate in 3 ............ =in:3
44 ................ Mate in 4 ............ =in:4
45 ................ Mate in 5 ............ =in:5
46 ................ Mate in 6 ............ =in:6
47 ................ Mate in 7 ............ =in:7
48 ................ Mate in 8 ............ =in:8
Selecting one of these levels activates a special mate
finder program. 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 Problem Solving Levels. Your
chess 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 com-
puter cannot find a mate, it will beep and display a series
of dashes (– – – – –). You may continue to play, if de-
sired, by switching levels.
3.7 Training Levels (Squares G1-H8)
LEVEL DISPLAY
49 ........... PLY:1
50 ........... PLY:2
51 ........... PLY:3
52 ........... PLY:4
53 ........... PLY:5
54 ........... PLY:6
55 ........... PLY:7
56 ........... PLY:8
On each of the Training Levels, the computer's search
depth is limited to a certain number of moves, as shown
above. As you cycle through the levels, the computer
displays PLY:n for each level. A "PLY" is an individual
move (a move for either side), and "n" is the number
representing the search depth. For example, on Level 49,
the computer searches to a depth of one individual move
(PLY:1), and thus looks ahead only one move. On this
level, therefore, it will often overlook a mate in one. This
produces weaker play, giving beginners a chance to win!
4. GAME INFORMATION
In a normal game of chess, you would never ask your
opponent what move he was considering, nor would you
ask his evaluation of the current position. However, when
you play against this chess computer, you can do just
that! In fact, you can get a wealth of information about the
computer's thought process—it shows you the move it is
currently considering, the continuation it expects after
DISPLAY
DISPLAY
LEVEL DISPLAY
57 .......... PLY: 9
58 .......... PLY:10
59 .......... PLY:11
60 .......... PLY:12
61 .......... PLY:13
62 .......... PLY:14
63 .......... PLY:15
64 .......... PLY:16
that, its evaluation of the current position, how deeply it is
searching, and more. Studying this information can help
you learn more about chess!
Using Info Mode
You may access game information at any time by
using Info Mode. If you do this while the computer is
thinking, you will see the information displays change as
the computer considers different moves and searches
deeper. Some of the displays may change even if you
access Info Mode during your turn.
Game information is divided into four groups, and
pressing INFO cycles from one group to another. The
BLACK/+ and WHITE/– keys can be used to cycle
through the information within each of the groups, as
described in the Info Mode Charts in this section.
After familiarizing yourself with Info Mode, refer to
Section 6.3 for a description of the user-programmable
Rotating Display feature. Selecting this feature makes the
computer automatically cycle through the information
described below in one-second intervals every time it
thinks about its move—you can actually watch the com-
puter "think out loud"!
Note: There may be instances when some game
information is not available. In such cases, the display will
show a series of dashes (– – – – –).
4.1 Principal Variation
Pressing INFO the first time shows you the first move
of the principal variation (the line of predicted play). This
first move is the move the computer is currently consider-
ing making. Use the BLACK/+ and WHITE/– keys to see
the rest of the moves. The principal variation is shown to
a maximum depth of six ply, or six individual moves.
4.2 Search Information
Pressing INFO a second time gives you information on
the computer's search. Use the BLACK/+ and WHITE/–
keys to cycle through the different displays, as described
in the Info Mode Charts in this section.
4.3 Chess Clocks
Pressing INFO a third time gives you access to the
chess clocks. Use the BLACK/+ and WHITE/– keys to
cycle through the five different clock displays, as shown
in the Info Mode Charts.
The chess clocks keep track of the time for both sides.
The clocks stop whenever you take back a move, verify a
level, select options, verify or set up a position, or turn the
unit off. In all of these cases, however, the times are
retained in memory, and the clocks resume as soon as
play is continued. Whenever you press CLEAR and
ENTER together to reset the computer for a new game,
the chess clocks are always reset to 0:00;00.
Note: Press CLEAR to restart the clock if it has
stopped after returning to Normal Mode.
4.4 Move Count
Pressing INFO the fourth time shows the number of
Black moves that have to be played in the game. At this
point, you may use the BLACK/+ and WHITE/– keys to
cycle through the last moves of the current game (up to
about 200 individual moves).
4.5 Move Suggestions
If you would like advice on any particular move, the
computer can give you a move suggestion. Press INFO
when it is your turn to move, and the computer will show
you its suggested move.
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