1. I m considering buying a chess computer, what are some of the advantages of owning one?

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1 FAQ Answers to Your Most Frequently Asked Questions! 1. I m considering buying a chess computer, what are some of the advantages of owning one? 2. Are chess computers difficult to operate? 3. I see that Garry Kasparov endorses Saitek products. Can you tell me a little about him? 4. As a beginner to the world of chess, what should I look for in a chess computer? 5. I m an advanced player. How would a chess computer benefit me? 6. What is an Elo rating? What are the different rating systems? 7. Why do chess computers have level settings? What are some of the different playing levels? 8. How can I make my computer start up on a different level? 9. What is an opening? What does it mean when a chess computer has a library of openings? 10. I ve heard the word ply used in computer chess. What does it mean? 11. My chess computer is very strong, and I just can t seem to beat it. What should I do? 12. Why does it sometimes take my computer such a long time to make a move? 13. My computer is telling me to move a piece that s not there. What should I do? 14. My pieces just got knocked over. Do I have to abandon my game? 15. I need to turn my computer off, but I m in the middle of a good game. Will I have to start over again later? 16. Can I set my chess pieces up in special board positions? 17. I want to experiment with different moves. Can I change my mind after a move is made? 18. My computer seems to be making illegal moves. Is that possible? 19. Can I watch the computer think while it s considering its move? 20. I ve got a complicated position, and I m wondering what the computer would do in this case. Is there any way I can find out? 21. I m not sure who s winning. Can the computer evaluate the board position for me? 22. Do your chess computers have built-in chess clocks? 23. Do I always have to play White, or can I also play Black from the bottom of the board? 24. I haven t used my chess computer for quite some time. Now, when I turn it on, nothing happens. Why doesn t it work? 25. Can I use my computer to play against a friend instead of just playing against the machine?

2 1. I m considering buying a chess computer, what are some of the advantages of owning one? If you re new to the world of computer chess, you might be surprised at the many advantages to be gained by playing chess against a computer. The following are just a few points to consider: You ll always have a playing partner, no matter what time of day or night! And, with the portability of many Saitek chess computers, you can play chess practically anywhere you go. Newcomers to chess can learn so much about this exciting game by taking advantage of many builtin coaching and teaching features. Playing chess on Saitek s sensory boards is so easy and natural - simply press lightly on the squares to make your moves! Many models allow two-player games, so that you and a friend can use the computer s board to play against each other. The computer will act as referee, making sure that neither player makes an illegal move, and keeping track of the time for both sides. You can even ask for hints, if you d like! Some Saitek units allow you to study chess more deeply than you ever thought possible, by actually letting you look in on the computer s thought process as it determines which move to make! You ll see incredible computing abilities at work, as the computer searches deeply and investigates different lines of play, changing its mind right in front of your eyes. Watch and you will learn! A computer gives you so many more game options! Like verifying the board position if you should accidentally knock the pieces over, setting up positions for further study, taking back moves if you change your mind or make a mistake. There is also the luxury of selecting from a variety of skill levels, so you can continue to be challenged, even as your own chess skills improve! Whether you re just starting out or you re already an intermediate or advanced player, anyone with an interest in this very special Game of Kings will be thrilled with the benefits derived from owning a Saitek chess computer. You ll never look at chess the same way again! 2. Are chess computers difficult to operate? No! As a matter of fact, Saitek chess computers are extremely easy to learn and use. Basic game play is very straightforward, and the Quick Start section of the manual will always get you started right away. You ll also get complete, easy-to-understand details on everything you need to know about your chess computer, making all the special features and additional options a snap to master! 3. I see that Garry Kasparov endorses Saitek products. Can you tell me a little about him? Garry Kasparov is the current PCA (Professional Chess Association) World Chess Champion, and the strongest human chess player in history! Born in 1963, Kasparov stunned the chess world in 1985 by

3 beating fellow Russian Anatoly Karpov at the tender age of 22, thereby becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion. Garry Kasparov was also the first human player to face the infamous IBM Deep Blue computer in an U.S. chess match in 1996, and again in What brought Saitek and Kasparov together? Their shared enthusiasm for chess and their dedication to this great game! Kasparov has been endorsing Saitek s best-selling Kasparov line of chess computers since and over the years, our products have continued to delight and satisfy millions of chess players throughout the world! 4. As a beginner to the world of chess, what should I look for in a chess computer? You ll want to choose from the Saitek chess computers that offer special beginner levels, coaching features, and teaching functions - rather than putting immediate emphasis on maximum playing strength! The following are some specific features that will help you learn more about the game: Beginner and Fun Levels: These special levels allow those who might otherwise never beat the computer to come up on the winning side for a change! After all, if you re just learning about chess, you don t want the computer to win every single game! On the Beginner Levels, the computer helps you in this regard by restricting its search so that it deliberately plays weaker chess. And, on the Fun Levels, various handicaps are built in, making the computer seem much more human than most chess computers. This gives everyone a chance to win, in a world where chess computers are typically relentless and often quite difficult to beat. Wide Range of Playing Levels: Beginning players will benefit from the flexibility of our chess computers! Although certain units are meant specifically for beginners, many of our models allow you to learn and grow with your chess computer, investigating higher levels and more complicated features as you learn more about the game! In fact, all Saitek chess computers, no matter how advanced, have levels and/or features designed especially for the beginning player - and once you ve outgrown those novice levels, you ll have many other challenging playing levels to choose from! Coaching Functions: Many Saitek chess computers offer coaching features which encourage you to concentrate on your strategic planning - an ideal feature for beginners and intermediate players alike! In Coach Mode, the computer will warn you if it thinks you ve committed a blunder, or if you re in danger of losing a piece. Imagine how your chess skills will improve if you have your very own computer coach by your side as you play! Teach Modes: Some of our units feature Teach Modes, where players can learn basic chess moves and master the tactics of the different pieces. Simply decide which piece you d like to study, activate the Teach Mode for that piece and the only pieces on the board will be Kings, pawns, and your selected piece type. This will enable you to concentrate solely on one piece at a time, without losing focus or being distracted by other pieces on the board! Certain models also offer Extended Teach Modes, where you can study more than one piece at a time. Built-in Tutorials: For intensive and in-depth chess training, you might want to consider a Saitek chess computer that features built-in voice tutorials! You can select from a large variety of chess topics, from basic rules all the way up to advanced concepts and strategies. Simply choose a tutorial from the extensive list, and play along as the voice guides you and teaches you all about the selected topic - you ll be amazed at how much fun it is to learn about chess this way! Take Back Feature: While you re learning about chess, you ll probably make a few mistakes along the way, or occasionally change your mind about a move. No problem - simply use the Take Back feature, which allows you to retract moves whenever you wish! The number of moves that can be taken back will vary, depending on the model. By the way, this feature is also ideal for experimentation, since it will allow you to try out various strategies by testing different moves!

4 5. I m an advanced player. How would a chess computer benefit me? Skilled players can benefit greatly by using chess computers! Saitek has a large selection of powerful, feature-rich, and information-packed models that are perfect for even the most advanced player! The following are some ideas to try out and advanced features to investigate: Use the Tournament Levels to practice for upcoming chess tournaments! Built-in chess clocks will take care of the time controls for you, and some of our computers even incorporate the popular Bronstein Clock time controls as an additional option! Try out some fast and exciting speed chess games with the Blitz Levels - practice playing against the computer, and then go on to amaze your chess-playing buddies! Practice your favorite strategies and attacks over and over against an ever-patient, ever-willing chess opponent - one that will never complain or tire out! Obtain valuable information on the computer s search. You ll see several moves of its predicted variation, its current search depth, its evaluation of the current position, and more! Many Saitek chess computers feature powerful RISC-style processors that offer the most formidable opponents. These units have extremely high Elo ratings, and are incredibly fast and amazingly tough! Experience many different types of opponents by trying out the user-selectable playing styles, such as Selective/Brute Force Search and Active/Passive play! Gain complete control over opening play with user-selectable, multiple-style Openings Libraries, such as Active/Passive Book and Tournament Book! Experiment to your heart s content! Use the Mate Search or Problem Solving Levels to study mate problems in the greatest detail. Or, set up a complicated board position on the Infinite Level, and study the computer s thinking process as it relentlessly searches for the best move! 6. What is an Elo rating? What are the different rating systems? A rating is a means of measuring chess performance or describing relative playing ability. The Elo rating system, named after the Hungarian-American Dr. Arpad Elo, is the internationally recognized system for rating the strength of both chess computers and human players. There are two generally accepted Elo conventions: the original Swedish scale (certified by FIDE, or Federation Internationale des ƒchecs, the international organization which governs chess), and the U.S. Chess Federation (USCF) scale, which is used mainly in North America. Ratings are usually four-digit numbers, with the stronger players having the higher ratings. To earn an Elo rating, new players generally have to achieve a minimum of 2000 Elo points against other FIDE players in games played at FIDE-rated events. On the high end of the scale, a FIDE Master (FM) ranks in at 2300 and above, with the International Masters (IM) and Grandmasters (GM) having ratings of at least 2400 and 2500, respectively. Many Saitek chess computers boast extremely high Elo ratings, and are thus suitable for even top players. 7. Why do chess computers have level settings? What are some of the different playing levels? Saitek chess computers offer many levels to make them attractive to a variety of players. As a general rule, the more time the computer has to think on a level, the stronger it will play! Level settings are important in terms of playing strength, because they enable you to sharpen your skills steadily. After you conquer a level, try beating the computer at the next higher level!

5 Besides levels for casual chess play, our computers also offer many other types of playing levels. Look for levels that allow you to experiment, such as Mate Search or Problem Solving Levels. There s also a special Infinite Level, great for in-depth study - you can have the computer analyze complicated board positions for hours or even days! Other levels offer games with various time controls, such as Tournament and Speed Chess Levels. Certain models also have levels which feature different playing styles - you can choose to have the computer play aggressively, favoring complicated board positions, or you can select a passive level, where the computer will avoid attacks and favor a quiet, passive style of play. Some levels are meant especially for beginners, giving them the chance to learn more about chess and beat the computer occasionally. These would include Fun Levels, Beginner Levels and Training Levels. When buying a Saitek chess computer, compare the levels offered by each individual unit, and pick the one which suits you best! 8. How can I make my computer start up on a different level? When you buy your chess computer and turn it on for the first time, it s set to the factory default level. This level will vary according to the model, but will be specified in your manual. To make the computer start up on a different level, simply change the playing level according to the instructions. Once you ve done this, your currently selected level automatically becomes the new power-up default level! By the way, the computer will return to its factory settings whenever you change or remove the batteries, or when you use the ACL feature to reset the unit. To change the default level back to the level of your choice, simply select your desired level again, as noted above. 9. What is an opening? What does it mean when a chess computer has a library of openings? An opening in chess is the beginning or developing phase of the game - the first few moves made by each side. Chess computers often move instantly at the start of a game because they are playing from a built-in book or library of opening chess moves. This library contains many major chess openings and positions from grandmaster play. If the current board position is in the computer s library, it will play a response to that position automatically, instead of having to think about the move! Saitek chess computers use books of various sizes, depending on the model. Some units also include a unique user-selectable book feature, which allows you to choose from different types of opening books, or even turn the book off, if desired! For in-depth study of openings and opening training, you might want to consider a Saitek chess computer that offers built-in voice tutorials! You ll benefit from tutorials on opening rules and a variety of opening systems. Or, you can choose a particular opening and instruct the computer to play only from that library. It s a wonderful opportunity to study individual book openings in great detail! 10. I ve heard the word ply used in computer chess. What does it mean? A ply is an individual move, or a move for either side. A computer s search depth is described in terms of the number of ply it looks ahead. On a two-ply search, for example, the computer will look ahead two individual moves (one move for Black and one for White). For units which include Training Levels, you can actually set the number of ply you want the computer to look ahead on each move!

6 11. My chess computer is very strong, and I just can t seem to beat it. What should I do? All Saitek chess computers offer a broad range of playing capabilities, to suit players of different skill levels. Since our computers reflect the very latest in design and technology, however, some players (beginners, in particular) might find the computer too tough an opponent. If you re looking for an opponent that s easier to beat, first make sure that you re playing on a level that s suitable for your skills. If you re a beginning player, for example, you definitely don t want to start out on a Tournament Level! If your computer has Beginner, Training, or Fun Levels, try out one of those for a much tamer game. Check your manual for a complete listing of all levels, and experiment to find levels that match your current abilities. As you get better and your playing strength improves, you can go on to the stronger levels! Some of our computers also offer an option called Easy Mode, which can help out tremendously in this case! Part of what makes many chess computers such tough opponents is the fact that they think on your time, using the time you are contemplating your next move to think ahead and plan their own strategies. Turning on Easy Mode prevents the computer from thinking on your time, thus making it a weaker opponent, and one that s quite a bit easier to beat! Check your manual to see if you might have overlooked this special option. 12. Why does it sometimes take my computer such a long time to make a move? To understand this better, you have to realize that the computer s playing strength is directly related to the time it is allowed to think. In other words, the longer the computer thinks about a move, the stronger it gets and the better its move will be! You can control how long the computer thinks simply by setting the playing level. Check your manual for details on all the levels, including average computer response times. If you select a level where the computer s average response time is only 5 seconds, you ll never wait long for the computer to move. But if you choose a level that gives the computer 15 minutes to respond, be prepared to wait while the computer uses its allotted time to consider its move! Incidentally, if you ever get impatient and feel like the computer is taking too long to move, you can interrupt the computer at any time! On most models, you can accomplish this by pressing either PLAY or ENTER while the computer is thinking. This will force the computer to make the best move it has found up to that point. If you do this, just remember that your chess computer might have made a better move if you had let it think longer! 13. My computer is telling me to move a piece that s not there. What should I do? Sometimes, during the course of a game, pieces might accidentally be misplaced or knocked over, resulting in an incorrect board position. If this should happen, the computer may indicate moves that don t correspond to your current piece locations. Don t worry - our piece verification feature will come to the rescue! As you press each Piece Symbol Key, the computer will use its board lights and/or display window to show you where each individual piece is located. You can verify the entire board, if you like - it s so easy and convenient!

7 14. My pieces just got knocked over. Do I have to abandon my game? The piece verification feature, mentioned in question 13, will enable you to recover your position. As the computer verifies the board, you can set your pieces back up where they were. Then, simply continue with your game! 15. I need to turn my computer off, but I m in the middle of a good game. Will I have to start over again later? Definitely not! As long as you have a good set of batteries installed, (or as long as you keep the unit plugged in, if you re using an AC adaptor), you can interrupt a game at any time by turning the unit off. The computer s long-term memory will then store your current position (and, in some cases, your entire game). Once you turn the computer back on, you can resume your game right where you left off! 16. Can I set my chess pieces up in special board positions? Most Saitek chess computers will allow you to easily set up special positions to play from, or problems you d like the computer to solve for you! You can change or set up a board position at any time during a game, whenever it s your turn to move. You may choose to remove pieces from the board, move a piece from one square to another, or even add pieces to your current position! Make all the changes you wish, but remember that the computer won t allow you to set up an illegal position, such as one where there are more than the prescribed number of pieces for a normal game, or one where a King is in check and is not to move. 17. I want to experiment with different moves. Can I change my mind after a move is made? When you re playing against one of our chess computers, you always have the option of changing your mind about a move or correcting a move you made by mistake! All Saitek models include a Take Back feature which enables you to return to a previous position easily and quickly. The number of moves you can take back will vary, depending on the model. This handy feature also gives you the opportunity to experiment with different moves and strategies! 18. My computer seems to be making illegal moves. Is that possible? Absolutely not - Saitek computers will never accept or make illegal moves! If you think you see this happening, simply go back and check the rules. The game of chess contains many special rules and moves,

8 and if you re not familiar with them all, you might think the computer isn t moving correctly. In particular, some moves that tend to be a source of confusion are en passant captures, castling maneuvers, and pawn promotions or under-promotions. Once you ve learned to recognize these moves, you ll understand the game a lot better! 19. Can I watch the computer think while it s considering its move? Watching the computer think is a fabulous way to learn more about chess, and many of our computers offer this feature, in one manner or another! On some models, pressing a certain key causes the board lights and/or display window to indicate the move the computer is currently considering. On other units, you ll have the opportunity to study all sorts of information while the computer is thinking. You can ask to see the current line of play it s expecting, the current search depth, the number of positions it s searching per second, and more. You ll literally have a wealth of information at your fingertips! 20. I ve got a complicated position, and I m wondering what the computer would do in this case. Is there any way I can find out? Yes, and it s so easy! To switch sides with the computer at any time, simply press PLAY or ENTER when it s your turn to move. Watch as the computer immediately starts thinking about the next move for your side! This is a perfect way to discover game-changing moves that you may have overlooked! 21. I m not sure who s winning. Can the computer evaluate the board position for me? Yes, a position evaluation feature is available on many of our computers! With this feature activated, the computer can tell you if the position is equal, if one side has a slight advantage, or if one side is clearly winning. There are various ways of showing this, by using the board lights and/or the display window. If your chess computer has this capability, check your instruction manual for details. 22. Do your chess computers have built-in chess clocks? Chess clocks that keep track of the time for both sides are incorporated in a great number of Saitek chess computers. On some units, you can even cycle through detailed clock information, such as elapsed time since the last move, and total elapsed time/remaining time for both sides. Other clock options include a Countdown Clock for use with Tournament and Speed Chess Levels, a ticking clock option to simulate a tournament atmosphere in your very own living room, and even built-in Bronstein Clock time controls!

9 23. Do I always have to play White, or can I also play Black from the bottom of the board? Although you ll probably play White for the majority of your games, many of our chess computers also give you the option of playing Black from the bottom of the board. Your manual will give you instructions on how to do this, along with a diagram of the correct board position. You ll notice, in particular, that the Kings and Queens are positioned differently - make sure you set up the pieces correctly! 24. I haven t used my chess computer for quite some time. Now, when I turn it on, nothing happens. Why doesn t it work? Check the batteries first! If the batteries are weak or bad, or if they re not installed correctly, your computer will not function as it should. For optimum performance, make sure you have a fresh set of alkaline batteries installed. The computer can also lock up if it s stored for a long period of time, or if it s exposed to static discharge or some other type of electrical disturbance. If this occurs, reset the computer by using a pin or another sharp object to press into the hole marked ACL in the base of the unit for at least one second. Refer to your manual for other trouble-shooting information. 25. Can I use my computer to play against a friend instead of just playing against the machine? Of course! And you ll soon find out that using the computer s board to challenge a friend has definite advantages over playing on a normal chessboard! When you activate Non Auto Mode (or turn Auto Response off), you can make moves on the board without allowing the computer to make any countermoves. This special mode allows you and your friend to play, while the computer monitors your game by acting as referee, keeping track of the time, and checking all moves for legality! By the way, this same feature has several other interesting applications! You can play through master games, study opening lines by entering them manually, and even play back through your own recorded games to see how other moves or strategies might have affected the outcome!