Saitek CENTURION Specifications download pdf (Page 1)

ENGLISH

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!

1.5 Game Over? Why Not Play Again!

1.6 Too Easy/Hard? Change the Level!

2. MORE FEATURES TO EXPLORE

2.1 Whose Move? Check the Display!

2.2 Special Chess Moves

2.3 Illegal Moves

2.4 Check, Mate, and Draw

2.5 Interrupting the Computer’s Search

2.6 Changing Sides with the Computer

2.7 Built-In Openings

2.8 Thinking on the Opponent’s Time

2.9 Game Memory

3. THE PLAYING LEVELS

Setting a Playing Level

3.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B7)

3.2 Infinite Level (Square B8)

3.3 Tournament Levels (Squares C1-C8)

3.4 Blitz Levels (Squares D1-D8)

3.5 Fun Levels (Squares E1-E8)

3.6 Mate Search Levels (Squares F1-F8)

3.7 Training Levels (Squares G1-G8)

3.8 Self-Adaptive Weak Levels (Squares H1-H8)

4. INFO MODE: WATCH THE COMPUTER THINK!

Using Info Mode

4.1 Principal Variation

4.2 Search Information

4.3 Chess Clock Information

4.4 Move Count/Game Moves

4.5 Want a Hint? Just Ask!

5. OPTIONS FOR FUN AND VARIETY

Selecting Game Options

5.1 Operation Mode Options (Squares A1-H1)

5.2 Rotating Display Options (Squares A3-H3)

5.3 Bronstein Clock Options (Square A4)

6. TEACH MODE: LEARN ABOUT TACTICS!

Using the Teach Modes

7. STUDY MODE: TRY RATING YOURSELF!

Understanding ELO Ratings

Using Study Mode

8. VERIFYING/SETTING UP POSITIONS

8.1 Verifying Positions

8.2 Changing and Setting Up Positions

9. TECHNICAL DETAILS

9.1 The ACL Function

9.2 Care and Maintenance

9.3 Technical Specifications

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

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

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Summary of Contents

Page 1 - 1. LET’S GET STARTED!

1ENGLISHTABLE OF CONTENTSQUICK STARTKEYS AND FEATURESINTRODUCTION1. LET’S GET STARTED!1.1 First, Install the Batteries/Optional AC-DC adapter1.2 Ready

Page 2 - MAKING THE COMPUTER’S MOVE:

10BLACK / >< / WHITEENTERSTUDIES1. Set up the pieces for a new game.STARTING UP STUDY MODE!For all the details, see Section 7.4. When the displa

Page 3 - SOME TIPS FOR YOU!

11ENGLISHdoesn’t give you as high a rating as you’d like, just keepworking on the Study Games—and watch your rating go upas you learn and improve!Bonu

Page 4

12• To exit Position Mode, press CLEAR. You will return tonormal game play, with your new board position!Note that any legal position can be set up us

Page 5 - *Increase as user’s time

13ENGLISHTROUBLESHOOTING GUIDESYMPTOMSThe computer doesn’t react,behaves erratically, or“freezes” during a game.The display is difficult to read.The c

Page 6 - INFO MODE AT A GLANCE!

14 Game #1 – tst: 1Morphy - CountIsouard + Duke ofBrunswickParis, 18581. e2-e4 e7-e52. Ng1-f3 d7-d63. d2-d4 Bc8-g44. d4xe5 Bg4xf35. Qd1xf3 d6xe56. Bf1

Page 7 - HERE’S THE POSITION!

15ENGLISH14. Qc2-e2 Bb4-d615. Bc1-b2 Qc3-a516. Rf1-d1 Rh8-d817. Qe2-h5 f7-f618. Qh5xh7 Ke7-f719. Bb5-e2 Qa5-g520. Bb2-c1 Bd6xh2+21. Kg1xh2 Qg5-e5+22.

Page 8 - NO OPTIONS ON THESE SQUARES

2a different move whenever you want! When it’s your turn tomove, simply press TAKE BACK. The display shows themove to be taken back, with the original

Page 9 - A LOOK AT THE TEACH MODES!

3ENGLISH2.5 Interrupting the Computer’s SearchThink the computer is taking too long to move? You caninterrupt it any time! Simply press ENTER while th

Page 10 - STARTING UP STUDY MODE!

43.1 Normal Playing Levels (Squares A1-B7)LEVEL TIME PER MOVE DISPLAYA1 ...1 second... L 0:01A2 ...2 seconds

Page 11 - TRY OUT POSITION MODE!

5ENGLISHlimited to a certain number of moves, as shown above. Asyou cycle through the levels, the computer displays PLY:#for each level. A “ply” is a

Page 12 - 9. TECHNICAL DETAILS

6For more information on ELO ratings, see Section 7.4. INFO MODE: WATCH THE COMPUTER THINK!Imagine this: You’re playing chess against a friend, andit’

Page 13 - TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE

7ENGLISHCLEAR and ENTER together, the chess clocks are alwaysreset.During the game, a clock showing elapsed time will displaythe piece symbols one by

Page 14 - APPENDIX: 20 STUDY GAMES

8A5A4A3A2A1B4B3B2B1C4C3C2C1D4D3D2D1E4E3E2E1F4F3F2F1G4G3G2G1H4H3H2H1CLEAROPTIONTHE BASICS OF OPTION MODE: HERE’S HOW!x1 = OPERATION MODE (Auto...)x2 =

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9ENGLISHtion is automatically reversed. Additionally, this option will goback to its default setting of OFF when you start a new gameor a teach mode g