Saitek Bullet User Manual - page 8
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The Beginner Levels are meant specifically for novice players. Here,
the computer restricts its search so that it deliberately plays weaker
and gives the beginning player a chance to beat the computer!
3.2 Fun Levels
FUN LEVELS
AVERAGE TIME PER MOVE
Square B1 ............................ 1 second
Square B2 ............................ 2 seconds
Square B3 ............................ 3 seconds
Square B4 ............................ 4 seconds
Square B5 ............................ 5 seconds
The unique “Fun Levels” are meant especially for beginners and
young players—these levels will allow those who might otherwise never
win a game of chess to come up on the winning side for a change! On
the Fun Levels, your chess computer is much more “human” than most
chess computers—it gives everyone a chance to win, in a world where
chess machines are typically relentless and often quite difficult to beat.
Although the general consensus seems to be that computers never
make mistakes, on the five Fun Levels, this computer actually does!
Various handicaps are built into the Fun Levels, demonstrating
common mistakes made by beginners. Chess books often advise of
basic rules—warning not to give away material, not to bring the Queen
out too early, and advising the development of pieces before starting
an attack. Yet players see their opponents breaking these rules and
getting away with it! The Fun Levels provide a way of practicing the
punishment of these typical mistakes, thus enabling the beginner to
strengthen his game against the human opponents he is likely to face.
Even after a player has mastered all the Fun Levels, they can still
be a valuable training tool. A game can be started on a Fun Level, for
example, and, when the computer 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.
Level B1 is the weakest Fun Level. Here, the value of material is set
so that the computer will not only “hang” its pieces (leave its pieces
unguarded), but will also actually try to lose material. Watching the
computer throw away its Queen would not even be uncommon on this
level! Levels B2, B3, and B4 are similar to B1, in that they also give
away material, but they do not do it as consistently. They consider the
material worth of pieces more and more, and Level B4 only occasion-
ally gives pieces away. On Fun Level B5, the computer does not
actually give away material—here, it plays more like a beginner who
has learned the basics of the game. On this level, the computer makes
mistakes such as bringing out its Queen too early, leaving its pieces
unguarded, and opening itself up to threats of check or checkmate.
Why not try out all the Fun Levels—and learn from the computer’s
mistakes!
3.3 Infinite Level
INFINITE LEVEL
TIME PER MOVE
Square B6 ........................ No time limit
On the Infinite Level, the computer searches indefinitely, until it finds
a forced mate, run out of memory, or you stop the search by pressing
PLAY. If the search is halted, the computer makes the move it cur-
rently thinks is best. Experiment—let the computer analyze positions
for hours or days!
3.4 Combination Finder Level
COMBINATION FINDER LEVEL
PURPOSE
Square B7 ................. Solves chess puzzles
The Combination Finder Level is used for solving “mate or a large
win of material” problems. Here, the computer looks for the shortest
forced win of two pawns or more. In order to come up with a solution,
the computer must see a win of enough material to be two pawns
better than the current position. If it finds such a solution, it beeps and
indicates its move.
If the computer reaches its search depth limit without finding a
solution, it beeps and the previously flashing color indicator turns on
steadily. To continue play, change levels—then either press PLAY to
have the computer move or make a move of your own.
3.5 Mate Finder Level
MATE FINDER LEVEL
PURPOSE
Square B8 ................ Solves mate problems
If you have a position where there might be a mate and you want
the computer to find it, set the computer on this level! It will search for a
forced mate, and will only play a move if it finds a mate. The computer
can solve mates in up to four moves. If there is no mate present or if
the computer can’t find a mate, it beeps and the previously flashing
color indicator turns on steadily. Continue play by changing levels.