CHESSMAN PRO - Jeu d'échecs électronique LEXIBOOK - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL CHESSMAN PRO LEXIBOOK

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INTRODUCTION Congratulations on choosing the LEXIBOOK CG1400 chess computer especially designed to teach children and beginners the rules of chess and to help them improve their game.

In addition, the game offers: A ‘TRAINING’ mode, which tells you if a move is correct. 64 difficulty levels on 4 different game settings (normal, aggressive, defensive and random) and includes: 5 ‘beginner’ levels aimed at children and beginners wherein the computer deliberately sacrifices chessmen. 8 normal game levels for more experienced beginners where the response time ranges from 5 seconds to several hours. 1 analysis level, which analyses the position of the pieces for 24 hours. 1 ‘CHECKMATE’ level designed to resolve checkmate problems in 5 moves. 1 ‘MULTI MOVE’ level allowing two players to play against each other while the computer acts as referee. A touch sensitive game board which automatically registers your move when you press the square that you’re moving a piece from and the square you’re moving it to. Lights which indicate the coordinates of your moves and those of the computer. ‘HINT’ function in which you ask the computer to suggest your next move. ‘TAKE BACK’ function which allows you to cancel up to two whole moves (or four half moves) ‘MOVE’ function, which helps you learn by watching the computer play against itself. ‘SET UP’ function to programme the positions of chessmen ready to resolve a problem or exercise in the book. A library containing 20 different openings. In addition the computer: Detects stalemate, draw by the 50 moves rule and draw by repetition. Recognises checkmate King and Queen against King, checkmate

King and Castle against King and checkmate King and Bishop against King.

Thinks while its opponent is playing.

I. POWER SUPPLY This chess computer requires 4 x 1.5V games adapter with positive centre of the EEC (EN standard 60-742).

AAA batteries or a 9V 300 mA in accordance with publication 15

Fit with specified batteries or adapter only.

Battery installation 1. Open the battery compartment. 2. Fit 4 x 1.5 V, AAA batteries according to the polarity indicated in the bottom of the compartment. 3. Close the battery compartment. You will then hear a tune announcing the start of a new game. If this does not happen, open the compartment again and check that the batteries are fitted correctly. Do not use rechargeable batteries. Do not recharge the batteries. Remove the storage batteries before recharging. Recharge storage batteries under adult supervision. Do not mix different types of battery and storage battery, or new and old batteries or storage batteries. Insert batteries and storage batteries according

to the polarity. Remove used storage batteries from game. Do not short-circuit the battery or storage battery terminals. Keep batteries away from fire. If game remains unused for an extended period, remove batteries.

Adapter This game also works with a 9 V positive centre .

To connect to the mains, follow these instructions:

1. Check the equipment is switched off. 2. Connect the adaptor to the point on the left side of the game. 3. Plug the other end of the adaptor in at the mains. 4. Switch the game on. An adapter is not a toy. If adapter remains unused for an extended period, unplug it to avoid overheating. When the game is powered by an adapter, do not play outside. Regularly check that the adapter and its lead are in good working order. In case of deterioration, do not use the adapter until it has been repaired. This game is not suitable for children under 3 years.

II. STARTING A NEW GAME Place the chessmen on the board and turn the computer on by pressing ON. Then press NEW GAME. You will hear a tune and a green light (corresponding to row

1) will light up at the bottom left indicating that White is to move. At any moment you can start a new game by pressing NEW GAME. If you do this, only the level and game setting are saved. N.B.: The computer saves the position of the chessmen when it is switched off. If you want to start a new game when you turn the computer on again, press NEW GAME.

III. MAKING A MOVE To make a move:

1. Press lightly on the square of the piece you want to move. The easiest way is to tilt the piece slightly and press its edge lightly on the centre of the square. You can also press on the square with your finger. You will hear a specific jingle and two lights will be illuminated. These two lights indicate the row and column (rank and file) of the square you are moving from. 2. Place the piece on the square you want to move it to and press lightly on the centre of the square. You will hear another beep indicating that the computer has recognised your move and that it is thinking about its response. N. B.: A light pressure is enough as long as you press in the centre of the square. If you press too hard on the squares, you risk long-term damage to the chessboard.

IV. THE COMPUTER’S MOVES At the beginning of the game, the computer will immediately indicate its move using the opening library of 20 different moves. Later on in the game, the green light at the top left (row 8’s light) will flash indicating that it’s Black’s move and that the computer is thinking.

When the computer makes its move, it will play a specific tune. 1. Two green lights will illuminate indicating the row and column of the square whose piece the computer wants to move. Press lightly on this square and take the piece. 2. Next, the lights show the coordinates of the square the piece is moving to. Place the piece on this square by pressing lightly. The light will illuminate again showing that it’s now your turn.

V. SPECIAL MOVES CAPTURING AN OPPONENT’S PIECE Capturing a piece works in the same way as any other move.

1. Press the square of the piece you want to move and pick up the piece. 2. Press the square you want to move to and place the piece on it. Remove the piece from the chessboard without pressing any other square. CAPTURING PIECES EN PASSANT The instructions above also apply to taking pieces en passant, except that the computer will tell you to remove the captured pawn. 1. Press the square you want to move from and pick up the pawn. 2. Press the square you’re moving to and put the pawn on it. 3. The computer will tell you to remove the captured pawn by illuminating the lights corresponding to the pawn captured en passant. Press this square and remove the pawn from the chessboard. CASTLING In order to castle you need first of all to move the King as usual. Once you have pressed the squares you want to move the King from and to, the computer will remind you to move the Castle. To castle short (castling with the King’s Castle) on the White side: 1. Press square E1 and pick up the King. 2. Place the King on G1 and press the square. 3. The computer will remind you to move the Castle by illuminating the lights corresponding to H1. Press the H1 Square and pick up the Castle. 4. The computer will illuminate the coordinates of F1. Place the Castle on F1 and press this square. To castle long (castling with the Queen’s Castle) on the White side: 1. Press square E1 and pick up the King.

2. Place the King on C1 and press the square.

3. The computer will remind you to move the Castle by illuminating the corresponding square. Press A1 and pick up the Castle. 4. The computer will illuminate the coordinates of D1. Place the Castle on D1 and press the square. PROMOTING PAWNS The computer automatically promotes pawns. 1. Press the square of the pawn you want to promote and pick up the piece. 2. Look for a Queen of the right colour among the captured chessmen (if there is no Queen of the right colour available, you can use a Castle and place it on the board upside down). Press the square you want the Queen on and place the piece on this square. The computer assumes that you will always choose a Queen when you promote your pawns. If you want to promote your pawn to a Castle, a Bishop or a Knight, you can do so by changing their positions (see paragraph XIX). The computer itself will always promote its pawn to a Queen.

VI. ILLEGAL MOVES If you try to make an illegal or impossible move, you will hear an error signal indicating that your move is not allowed and that the computer hasn’t counted it.

If you try to make an illegal move or try to move one of your opponent’s pieces, you will simply hear the error signal. You can then continue to play and make another move instead. If you hear the error signal, and the computer shows you a square by illuminating it’s coordinates, you must press the square indicated before continuing the game.

VII. CHECK, CHECKMATE AND DRAW When the computer announces check, you will hear a victorious ‘beep’ and the

‘CHECK’ light will illuminate. In case of checkmate, the computer will play a little tune and illuminate the

CHECK and DRAW/MATE lights. If the computer is in checkmate, the lights are constantly illuminated, if you are in checkmate, the lights flash on and off.

If stalemate occurs, the DRAW/MATE light will illuminate which indicates a draw. If the same position is repeated 3 times, or if 50 moves are made without taking any pieces or promoting any pawns, the DRAW/MATE light will illuminate but you can continue playing if you so wish.

VIII. OFF / SAVE When you finish a game, you can press NEW GAME to start another one or turn the computer off by pressing OFF / SAVE. In this case the computer is not really switched off. It will save the positions of the chessmen in the current game while using a minimum of power. In other words, you can interrupt the game in the middle, turn off the computer and then switch it back on again later to continue the game. You can also press NEW GAME when you switch the computer back on again if you want to start a new game.

IX. SOUND If you prefer to play in silence, press SOUND/COLOUR. The computer’s sound effects will be silenced. To reactivate the sound, press SOUND/COLOUR again.

The sound will be reactivated the next time you press NEW GAME.

X. LEVELS The computer offers 64 levels organised in the following way:

SETTING LEVEL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 0

RESPONSE TIME PER MOVE BEGINNER 1

BEGINNER 2 BEGINNER 3 BEGINNER 4 BEGINNER 5 5 secondes 10 secondes 30 secondes 1 minute 3 minutes 10 minutes 30 minutes 2 hours 24 hours

CHECKMATE MULTI MOVE NORMAL AGRESSIVE DEFENSIVE C1

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The computer offers 13 different levels and 3 special game levels:

• Levels 1 to 5 are aimed at children and beginners. The computer deliberately makes mistakes, for example moving chessmen to squares where they will be captured immediately. On level 1, the computer makes a lot of mistakes, such as moving a piece to a square where it will be captured by a pawn in the next move. This level helps the player to get used to how the pieces move. You can also use level 1 when you lose and you want to see the computer make a few mistakes!

On level 2, the computer makes a lot of mistakes as well, but it never moves a piece to a square where it could be captured by a pawn on the next move.

On level 3 the computer only makes a few mistakes per game. On level 4, the computer generally only makes one mistake per game when it moves its Queen to a square where she could be captured in the next move. On level 5, the computer allows a few forks and check threats, but will not sacrifice any chessmen. On these 5 levels, the computer reacts almost instantly. • Levels 6 to 13 offer a delayed response time of between 5 seconds and 2 hours per move. These levels are aimed at more experienced beginners. Level 6 is a blitz level (5 seconds per move), level 8 is a fast game level (30 seconds per move) and level 10 is a championship level (3 minutes per move). The delays indicated are average and approximate times. The computer will think longer over difficult cases and shorter over simple moves and at the end of the game. As the computer is able to think while you are making your move, if it has anticipated the move you make, it can react almost immediately. It also reacts immediately when it uses a move from the opening library. • Level 14 is an analysis level, which analyses the position of the pieces for about 24 hours or until stop its analysis by pressing the MOVE button (see paragraph XVII). • Level 15 is a CHECKMATE level designed to resolve checkmate problems (see paragraph XI). • Level 0 is a MULTI MOVE level, which allows two people to play against each other while the computer acts as referee by verifying that the moves are legal. The computer also has 4 different game settings: • In NORMAL mode, the computer does not favour either the defensive or offensive mode. • In AGGRESSIVE mode, the computer plays the game on the offensive and avoids surrendering pieces as much as possible.

• In DEFENSIVE mode, the computer’s priority is to construct a solid defence. It moves its pawns a lot and will surrender pieces as often as possible.

• In RANDOM mode, the computer moves its pawns a lot and sometimes prefers to make an unexpected move rather than always to make the best move. When you switch the computer on for the first time, the game will automatically start on level 6 and in NORMAL mode. After that, it saves the level and game mode when you switch it off and when you press NEW GAME. To change the level or game setting, follow these instructions: 1.Press LEVEL to enter level selection mode. The computer will illuminate the lights corresponding to the current level (for example, square A6 corresponds to level 6, normal game mode). 2.Consult the table above to find the square corresponding to the level and game mode you want. Press this square. 3.Press LEVEL again to exit level selection mode. Then start the game by making your first move, or press MOVE to allow the computer to move first. If you want to check the level and setting selected, without changing them, follow this procedure: 1. Press LEVEL. The computer will indicate the current level by illuminating the lights on the square corresponding to the level. 2. Press LEVEL a second time to return to the game. You can change or check the game level at any time during the game when it’s your turn.

XI. RESOLVING CHECKMATE PROBLEMS Level 15 is a CHECKMATE level on which you can resolve checkmate problems in up to five moves. To resolve checkmate problems:

1. Place the chessmen on the board and register their positions (see paragraph XIX).

2. Choose level 15 by pressing LEVEL, then square B7, D7, F7 or H7, then press LEVEL again.

3. Press MOVE. The computer will then begin its analysis. The computer will think until it finds a way to achieve checkmate, then it will make the first move towards the checkmate. You can then act as opponent and the computer will find the next move towards checkmate. If checkmate is not possible, the computer will analyse indefinitely. The approximate delays for resolving a checkmate problem are as follows: Checkmate in 1 move Checkmate in 2 moves Checkmate in 3 moves Checkmate in 4 moves Checkmate in 5 moves

1 minute 1 hour 1 day 1 month

XII. ‘MULTI MOVE’ MODE Level 0 is a MULTI MOVE level. In this mode, the computer does not play.

You can therefore act as two players. You can play using this function to play a predetermined opening, or to replay a game. You can also use the computer like a normal chessboard by playing against someone else with computer acting as referee verifying that the moves are legal. To choose MULTI MOVE mode: 1. Choose level 0 by pressing LEVEL, then pressing square B8, D8, F8 or H8, then press LEVEL again. 2. Make as many moves as you like for the two players. 3. When you have finished, exit MULTI MOVE by pressing LEVEL again and choosing another level.

XIII. CHANGING COLOUR If you press MOVE, the computer will play your turn. So if you want to swap colours with the computer, press MOVE. The computer will make its move and then wait until you take your turn.

If you press MOVE again, the computer will move again, so you can make the computer play alone, against itself. If you want to play the whole game as Black: 1. Press NEW GAME and place the white pieces at the top of the chessboard and the black ones at the bottom. Remember that the White Queen always starts on a white square and the Black Queen on a black square. 2. Then press MOVE to start the game. The computer will move a white piece at the top of the chessboard and will wait for you to move with the black pieces at the bottom.

XIV. CANCELLING MOVES If you press the square from which you want to move a piece, but you decide in the end that you want to make a different move, press the square again. The lights indicating the coordinates of the square will come on and you can make another move.

If you have made your move and the computer is thinking, or has already illuminated the coordinates of the square it’s going to move from: 1. Press TAKE BACK. 2. The computer will then interrupt it’s thinking and illuminate the lights of the square you last moved to. Press the square and pick up the piece. 3. The computer will then indicate the coordinates of the square you moved from. Press this square and put the piece back on it. 4. If you want to cancel a capture or a capture en passant, the computer will remind you to reinstate the captured piece on the chessboard by

indicating the coordinates of the square where the piece was. Press this square and replace the piece on the chessboard.

5. If you cancel after you have castled, you must first replace your King, then your Castle by pressing the squares of each. 6. If you cancel the promotion of a pawn, don’t forget to change your Queen back to a pawn. If you want to cancel your move, but you have already carried out the computer’s next move, press TAKE BACK and cancel the computer’s move following the procedure above. Then press TAKE BACK again to cancel your own move. If you have already pressed the square the computer wants to move from and it is showing what square it wants to move to, then press TAKE BACK once to cancel the computer’s move, and then a second time to cancel your own. If you want to cancel two moves, press TAKE BACK a third time to cancel the computer’s move before last. Then press TAKE BACK a fourth time to cancel your move before last. If you want to cancel any more moves, the computer will sound the error signal. If you want to cancel more than two moves, you must use the SET UP function to change the position of chessmen on the board (see paragraph XIX).

XV. ‘HINT’ FUNCTION To ask the computer to tell you what move it would make in your place:

1. Press HINT. 2. The computer will illuminate the coordinates of the square it suggests you move from. Press this square (or press HINT again). 3. The computer will then illuminate the coordinates of the square it suggests you move to. Press this square (or, again, press HINT). 4. You can then make the move the computer has suggested by pressing the squares you are moving from and to again. Or, if you don’t want to take its advice, you can make a different move.

The move the computer shows you is that which it would make in your place.

Each time it’s your turn and you think about the move you are going to make, the computer has already thought about what its response will be. If you make the move it is expecting, it will usually make its next move immediately. In order to follow the thoughts of the computer as it analyses a position: 1. Press HINT while the computer is thinking and light 8 is flashing. 2. The computer will illuminate the coordinates of the square it is thinking of moving from at that moment. Press that square (or press HINT again). 3. The computer will then illuminate the coordinates of the square it is thinking of moving to. Press this square (or, again, press HINT). The computer will then continue thinking. You now know what move the computer is probably going to make which allows you to make the most of the wait by starting to think about your response.

XVI. ‘TRAINING’ MODE The computer has a TRAINING mode, which allows you to improve your game by indicating whether the move you are going to make is good. A good move is one that, in the computer’s opinion, will improve your position, or is the best

‘playable’ move if it is impossible for you to improve your position. To enter TRAINING mode, press the TRAINING button once. The GOOD MOVE light will illuminate to tell you that TRAINING mode is on. To exit TRAINING mode, press the TRAINING button again. TRAINING mode is deactivated when you press NEW GAME; therefore, don’t forget to press TRAINING again if you want your moves to be evaluated during the next game. When TRAINING mode is on and the computer considers your move to be good, it will illuminate the GOOD MOVE light after having indicated the square it is about to move from.

If you think your move was good, but the light does not illuminate, then there was at least one other move you could have made which would have been better.

If you want to know what it was, press TAKE BACK to cancel your move, then press HINT. Then you can decide if you want to make the move recommended by the computer, or the one you had thought of originally, or even a completely different one! But you must press TAKE BACK before making the computer’s move, otherwise the HINT mode will not work when you cancel your move. TRAINING mode used in conjunction with the HINT function allows you to improve your game: TRAINING mode tells you if your move is not very good, and the HINT function offers you a better solution. But don’t forget: you should always try and find the best move possible!

XVII. INTERRUPTING THE COMPUTER’S ANALYSIS If you press MOVE while the computer is thinking, it will immediately interrupt its analysis and make the move it considers to be best at this stage of its thinking

(in other words, the move that would be indicated were you to press HINT).

XVIII. CHECKING THE POSITION In case of doubt, if, for example, you have accidentally knocked the chessboard, you can ask the computer to tell you the position of each piece.

1. Press the key corresponding to the chessman you are looking for. The computer will indicate the position of each chessman of this kind by illuminating one of the lights of the rank (row) and one or a number of files (columns). A constantly illuminated light indicates a white piece; a flashing light indicates a black piece. 2. Press the key again and the computer will tell you the position of each chessman of this kind on the next rank. 3. When the computer has told you the position of all the chessmen of this

kind (or if there are no pieces of this kind on the chessboard), it will exit from position checking mode and will illuminate the light corresponding to the colour that should move. You can then either press the key of another piece or press one of the squares to make your move.

XIX. PROGRAMMING POSITIONS To change the position of chessmen on the board, or programme completely new positions:

1. Press SET UP to enter position programming mode. The SET UP light will illuminate. 2. If you want to programme whole new positions, press TAKE BACK to empty the chessboard. The computer will play a tune announcing a new game. 3. Press one of the six chessmen keys. If there is one or more pieces of this kind on the chessboard, the computer will show you as it would in CHECKING mode explained above. 4. To remove a piece of this kind from the chessboard, simply press on the square containing that piece. The light of that rank will go off. 5. To move a piece of this type from one square to another, cancel the original position by pressing the square. Then press the square you want to move it to. The corresponding rank light will illuminate. 6. To add a piece of this kind to the chessboard, press an empty square. The corresponding rank light will illuminate. A white piece is indicated by a constant light; a black piece by a flashing light. If the colour indicated is wrong, remove the piece from the board by pressing the square again, then change the colour by pressing the SOUND/COLOUR button, then press the empty square once more to register the piece. To add another piece of the same colour and of the same kind, simply press the empty square where you want to place the piece. 7. When you have finished programming, check that the two Kings are on

the board and that the player whose turn it is cannot take his opponent’s

King. 8. The colour of the last piece moved, removed or added determines the player whose move it is. To change the colour, remove and add a piece of the colour you want, or press SOUND/COLOUR. 9. Finally, exit programming mode by pressing SET UP again. The SET UP light will go off. You can then either make a move or let the computer move first by pressing MOVE.

XX. MAINTENANCE Your chess computer needs very little maintenance. These instructions will help you keep it in good condition for many years:

Keep away from damp. If the computer gets wet, wipe dry immediately. Do not leave in direct sunlight, do not expose to heat. Handle with care. Do not drop. Do not try to dismantle. To clean, unplug the adapter, use a damp cloth. Do not use detergent. In case of malfunction, first replace the batteries. If the problem persists, re-read instructions carefully to ensure you have not overlooked anything.

XXI. GUARANTEE Please keep these instructions safe, they contain important information.

This product is covered by our two-years guarantee. To make use of the guarantee, or for after-sales service, return the product to place of purchase together with proof of purchase. Our guarantee covers material defects and assembly and manufacturing faults excluding all damage caused by disregard of the instructions or irresponsible use (such as dismantling, exposure to heat or damp, etc.) It is recommended that all packaging is kept for future reference. In our constant concern for improvement, the colours and detail of the product shown on the packaging may be modified.

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2, avenue de Scandinavie 91953 COURTABOEUF Cedex France Tel : +33 (0)1.73.23.23.23 Fax : +33 (0)1.73.23.23.00 Assistance Technique : 0821.23.3000 www.lexibookjunior.com Lexibook UK Ltd Unit 9 Highview, High Street Bordon Hamphire, GU35 OAX United Kingdom Tel : + 44 1420 477922 Fax : +44 1420 477929 Technical support : 0808 100 3015 www.lexibookjunior.com

C Ref : CG1400 - ZCG1400IMO102 - ©2002 LEXIBOOK®