Saitek Cosmos User Manual

Manual is about: Saitek Cosmos Toys: User Guide

Summary of Cosmos

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    1 english keys and features 1. Piece storage area: for piece storage and captured pieces. 2. Battery compartment: in base of unit. Uses four “aa” (am3/r6) alkaline batteries. 3. Sensory chessboard: each square contains a sensor that automatically registers piece movement. Certain squares can also be...

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    2 table of contents quick start keys and features introduction 1. Let’s get started! 1.1 first, install the batteries 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. Mo...

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    3 english 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 sectio...

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    4 to square flashing and indicated by board lights. Press the piece down gently on the indicated square, and the computer shows you where that piece came from by flashing that display and using board lights to point to that square. Press the piece down on the from square to complete the take-back. R...

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    5 english pawn promotions: when you promote a pawn, first make your move as usual, pressing your pawn down on its from and to squares. Next, press the piece symbol key for your desired promotion piece ( % , $ , # , or @ ). The computer recognizes your new piece immediately, and begins thinking about...

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    6 you choose from different types of opening books, or even turn the book off, if desired. For complete details, see section 5.2. 2.8 thinking on the opponent’s time as you play, you may notice that the computer sometimes replies to your moves immediately, even in the middle of games played on the h...

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    7 english a8 a7 a6 a5 a4 a3 a2 a1 b8 b7 b6 b5 b4 b3 b2 b1 c8 c7 c6 c5 c4 c3 c2 c1 d8 d7 d6 d5 d4 d3 d2 d1 e8 e7 e6 e5 e4 e3 e2 e1 f8 f7 f6 f5 f4 f3 f2 f1 g8 g7 g6 g5 g4 g3 g2 g1 h8 h7 h6 h5 h4 h3 h2 h1 level enter use this chart to select a playing level! 1. Press level to enter level mode. 2. Next,...

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    8 b1 .................. 45 seconds .................. L 0:45 b2 .................... 1 minute .................... L 1:00 b3 .................... 1.5 minutes ............... L 1:30 b4 .................... 2 minutes ................... L 2:00 b5 .................... 3 minutes ................... L 3:...

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    9 english *increase as user’s time per move. Are you a novice or beginning chess player? If so, these levels are especially for you! Here, the computer restricts its search so that it deliberately plays weaker and gives you a better chance to win! The fun levels start out easy and get a little harde...

  • Page 10

    10 will also play stronger. Work your way up! 4. Info mode: watch the computer think! Imagine this: you’re playing chess against a friend, and it’s his move. You’d love to know what move he’s thinking about, and you’d really like to get his opinion of the board position. But, of course, you won’t as...

  • Page 11

    11 english (the predicted line of play, or the sequence of moves the computer thinks will be made). The first display you will see is the move the computer is currently thinking of making. Notice that the move is shown in the display, and the lights for the from and to squares for that move also fla...

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    12 see “the basics of option mode: here’s how!” for a chart summarizing how to use option mode, and an overview of all the options. The game options are divided into four groups: operation mode, playing mode, rotating display mode, and bronstein clock options. Pressing option cycles from one group t...

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    13 english b4 b3 b2 b1 c4 c3 c2 c1 d4 d3 d2 d1 e4 e3 e2 e1 f4 f3 f2 f1 g4 g3 g2 g1 h4 h3 h2 h1 a5 a4 a3 a2 a1 option option option option option c le a r the basics of option mode: here’s how! 1. Press option repeatedly to select a mode. 2. Next, select your option(s), using the option chart below. ...

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    14 d. Coach mode (square d1) on: +co:ch off: -co:ch selecting +co:ch turns on special coaching features that encourage you to concentrate on your strategic planning! In coach mode, the computer looks over your shoulder while you play, watching what you do and helping you when you need assistance! In...

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    15 english search algorithm. This allows the computer to see combinations that would otherwise take much longer to compute. Turning this option off by choosing -sel makes the program switch to a powerful brute force algorithm. This search method minimizes the risk of an occasional oversight. Note th...

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    16 important: the rotating display feature is only activated while the computer is thinking. Press option three times to select the rotating display op- tions. Then use the black/+ and white/– keys to select the options you want to see rotated in the display. The options are described below and summ...

  • Page 17

    17 english then the black pieces. When there are no more pieces of that type on the board, only the piece symbol remains in the display. Want to verify more pieces? Repeat the above procedure using the other piece symbol keys, verifying the entire board if desired! Press clear to return to normal pl...

  • Page 18

    18 dures. The computer will not permit 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. In such cases, the computer will simply beep when you press clear, and you will not b...

  • Page 19

    19 english symptoms the computer doesn’t react, behaves erratically, or “freezes” during a game. The display is difficult to read. The computer won’t make a move. The computer won’t accept your move. An error beep sounds when a square is pressed. You hear a series of beeps, and flashing lights indic...