Novag OPAL II User manual
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NOVAG
OPAL II
INSTRUCTION
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
GENERAL HINTS
1. Getting started
2. Impossible and Illegal Moves
3. Capturing a Piece
4. Game Features:
a) Castling
b) En Passant Captures
c) Pawn Promotion / Underpromotion
d) Stalemate
e) Check and Checkmate
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
5. NEW GAME (New Game Key)
6. SETTING THE SKILL LEVEL (Level Key)
7. TAKE BACK A MOVE (Take Back Key)
8. CHOICE OF COLOR (Go Key)
9. CHANGE OF COLOR (Color Key)
10. THE COMPUTER PLAYS AGAINST ITSELF (Go Key)
11. VERIFYING A POSITION (Ver/ Set Key)
12. SETTING UP A POSITION (Ver / Set Key)
A. Removing a piece
B. Moving a piece to another square
C. Clearing the entire board (Clear Key)
D. Entering a piece / setting up a board position
13. MOVE SUGGESTION (Hint Key)
14. TRAINING FUNCTION (Training Key)
15. ACOUSTIC SIGNALS (Sound Key)
16. CHESS PROBLEMS
WARRANTY
CARE OF THE CHESS COMPUTER
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
RULES OF CHESS
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GENERAL HINTS
Your NOVAG OPAL II can be your tutor if you are a beginner or your challenging
chess partner if you are already a chess player. In case you are a beginner, we
recommend you familiarize yourself with the rules of chess first. Relevant literature
is available in bookstores.
Before you start to play with your NOVAG OPAL II read first the GENERAL
HINTS. The instructions are laid out in such a way that each section is self
contained, so you do not have to read everything at once.
BATTERIES:
The NOVAG OPAL II runs on 4 x 1.5V UM4-type (or "AAA" size) alkaline
batteries (not included). Open the battery door at the bottom of the unit and insert
the batteries as indicated by the +/- signs. A set of new alkaline batteries runs
approx. 100 hours. Notice that weak batteries make the performance of the
computer unreliable.
ADAPTOR:
The adaptor is not included with your set, but is available separately from your
dealer. Before using the Novag adaptor (Art.No.8210), check that the voltage of
your electric mains is within the range specified on the adaptor label.
Note: Make sure you first connect the adaptor with the computer before you plug it
into the mains. The adaptor jack is at the back panel of the computer. You
may only use the adaptor which has been specially developed for this
computer.
MEMORY:
The NOVAG OPAL II has a long term memory and will retain the last board
position. However, make sure that there are batteries in the NOVAG OPAL II or an
adaptor is connected otherwise you will lose the memory contents.
Note: If you are using the SET UP or VERIFY mode the computer will save the
current mode when you switch the computer off before you exit these modes.
When you switch on the computer again the SET UP LED or the VERIFY
LED will be still on. To continue the game or start a new game press the GO
key first to exit these modes.
The indicator lights will be referred to as LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) in the
following instructions.
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1. GETTING STARTED
Set up your board in the opening position. Switch on the computer. The On/Off
switch is at the back side of the computer. Select your level of skill (see LEVEL key
for more details).
Opening position: White pieces on the 1st and 2nd rank and the Black pieces on
the 7th and 8th rank.
Note: If you switch the computer off to continue at a later time or every time you
press the NEW GAME key, the previous set skill level will be retained.
You play White (Choice of Color s. para.8). The WHITE LED lights up. Make your
opening move by gently pressing down the piece you want to move. The 2
respective rank and file LEDs light up and point to the square of this piece. Pick up
the piece, set it on the square you wish to move to and press it down gently.
Whilst the computer is calculating its move, the BLACK LED will be on. (Never try
to enter a move or special functions while the computer is calculating!). When it has
found its move the rank and file LEDs light up indicating the "from" square of the
piece the computer wants you to move. Press this piece gently and pick it up. Now
the rank and file LEDs of the "to" square come up and you set the piece on the
square, again pressing it gently. The computer's move is thus executed. The WHITE
LED comes up again indicating that it is now your move again.
Every time you press a piece, you will hear a beep tone which indicates that the
computer has registered your entry. (See SOUND KEY for more details).
2. IMPOSSIBLE AND ILLEGAL MOVES
Your NOVAG OPAL II was programmed in accordance with the international
Chess Rules and does not accept or make illegal moves.
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If you try to enter an illegal move, the ERROR LED will light up. Put that piece
back on the "from" square without applying pressure and enter a legal move. The
ERROR LED will disappear.
If you try to move a different piece for the computer than indicated, the two
corresponding rank and file LEDs for that square will stay on. Set the wrongly
moved piece back on its "from" square without applying pressure and move the
correct piece as indicated by pressing it down gently.
If, while executing a move for the computer, you move a correct piece to a wrong
square, the two corresponding rank and file LEDs for that square will stay on. Just
move the piece to the square indicated by pressing it down gently.
3. CAPTURING A PIECE
If the computer indicates a move onto a square that is occupied by an opponent's
piece, it means that this piece is captured and must be removed from the game
board. Simply take it from the board without applying pressure.
4. GAME FEATURES
a) Castling
The computer displays Castling with the King's and the Rook's move. When
Castling press first the 2 squares for the King and then move the Rook by applying
pressure on the appropriate squares indicated by the lit up LEDs. Do the same when
executing a Castling move for yourself.
Note: You may not castle while your King is in check, nor may you castle through
check.
This NOVAG OPAL II accepts and executes Castlings in set up board positions.
b) En Passant Captures
The computer captures En Passant automatically.
You may capture En Passant whenever the rules
permit. Do not forget to remove the captured
pawn. The computer accepts and executes En
Passant moves in set up board positions.
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Official Rules of Chess:
A pawn attacking a square crossed by an enemy pawn which has been advanced two
squares in one move from its original square may capture this enemy pawn as
though the latter had been moved only one square. This capture may be made only
on the move immediately following such an advance and is called capturing "en
passant".
c) Pawn Promotions / Underpromotions
If one of the Pawns reaches the far side of the board, the computer will prompt you
for the promoted piece, press any chess piece key (except Pawn and King) for Pawn
Promotion.
d) Stalemate
A Stalemate condition is indicated by the STALE and MATE LEDs.
e) Check and Checkmate
If the computer puts you in check the CHECK LED will light up. If you put the
computer in check this will not be specifically displayed. In a checkmate situation
the CHECK and MATE LEDs light up indicating the end of the game.
SPECIAL FUNCTIONS
5. GAME (New Game Key)
Press the NEW GAME key every time you switch the computer on or whenever you
want to commence a new game. The previous game is canceled and in the computer
memory all pieces are now in the opening position.
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6. SETTING THE SKILL LEVEL (Level Key)
Your NOVAG OPAL II has 64 skill levels. To set the computer to any of these
playing levels, press the key marked LEVEL and you will see the current level
setting indicated by the two corresponding rank and file LEDs. If this is not the level
that you wish to use, please press the corresponding chess board square.
For example, if you wish to set level 12 (= Fixed Time Level B4), press square B4
and again this will be indicated by the corresponding rank and file LEDs. (Please
see board below for reference).
Once you have set the desired level, press GO to exit this mode. Now you may enter
your first move.
Numbering system to select the playing levels on the chessboard:
8 A8 B8 C8 D8 E8 F8 G8 H8
7 A7 B7 C7 D7 E7 F7 G7 H7
6 A6 B6 C6 D6 E6 F6 G6 H6
5 A5 B5 C5 D5 E5 F5 G5 H5
4 A4 B4 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 H4
3 A3 B3 C3 D3 E3 F3 G3 H3
2 A2 B2 C2 D2 E2 F2 G2 H2
1 A1 B1 C1 D1 E1 F1 G1 H1
A B C D E F G H
Note: Whilst setting the skill level the Black, White, VERIFY and SET UP LEDs
will also be turned on.
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You may check or change the skill level at any time during a game, but not whilst
the computer is calculating. You cannot interrupt the computer while it is
calculating but must wait for it to make a move.
Note: If you switch the computer off to continue your game at a later time, or press
NEW GAME, the previous set skill level will be retained provided you have
batteries in your computer or it is connected to the adaptor.
THE 64 LEVELS AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS ARE SHOWN
BELOW :
Fixed Time Level (A1 - B8) :
Fixed computing time per move. The computer will always respond in exactly the
specified amount of time, unless there is only one legal move in which case it will
play instantly. In the case that the computer sees it can force a checkmate it will
make its move as soon as it finds the mating sequence.
Level Time Level Time
(1) A1 2 sec. (9) B1 60 sec.
(2) A2 5 sec. (10) B2 75 sec.
(3) A3 10 sec. (11) B3 90 sec.
(4) A4 15 sec. (12) B4 120 sec.
(5) A5 20 sec. (13) B5 150 sec.
(6) A6 25 sec. (14) B6 180 sec.
(7) A7 30 sec. (15) B7 210 sec.
(8) A8 45 sec. (16) B8 240 sec.
Average Time Level (C1 - D8) :
The computer will take an average of the specified amount of time per move. If it
has only one legal move it will respond instantly.
Note: These times are average times over a large number of moves. In the opening
and endgame the computer tends to play faster, but in complicated
middlegame positions, it may take longer to move.
Level Time Level Time
(17) C1 2 sec. (25) D1 60 sec.
(18) C2 5 sec. (26) D2 75 sec.
(19) C3 10 sec. (27) D3 90 sec.
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(20) C4 15 sec. (28) D4 120 sec.
(21) C5 20 sec. (29) D5 150 sec.
(22))C6 25 sec. (30) D6 180 sec.
(23) C7 30 sec. (31) D7 210 sec.
(24) C8 45 sec. (32) D8 240 sec.
Fixed Depth Level (E1 - F5) :
These levels have fixed computing depth, there is no time limit and the computer
will go on calculating up to the depth selected. These levels are important for
analysis purpose.
Level Search Level Search
per halfmove per halfmove
(33) E1 1 ply (41) F1 9 ply
(34) E2 2 ply (42) F2 10 ply
(35) E3 3 ply (43) F3 11 ply
(36) E4 4 ply (44) F4 12 ply
(37) E5 5 ply (45) F5 infinite
(38) E6 6 ply
(39) E7 7 ply
(40) E8 8 ply
Level F5 is an infinite level, the computer will normally go on thinking until you
press the GO key.
It will only show a move unless:
− it has a "book" move available,
− it runs out of memory for its analysis of the position or
− it completes the analysis by finding a forced mate.
Easy Level (G1-G8, F6 - F8) :
The Easy levels are especially for beginners. On these levels the computer restricts
its search. It deliberately plays weaker, like a human beginner, for whom the
computer's depth search is limited to 1 ply search with various specified capture
depth searches.
Level Search per move
(46) G1 1 ply search + 1 ply capture
(47) G2 1 ply search + 2 ply capture
(48) G3 1 ply search + 3 ply capture
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(49) G4 1 ply search + 4 ply capture
(50) G5 1 ply search + 5 ply capture
(51) G6 1 ply search + 6 ply capture
(52) G7 1 ply search + 7 ply capture
(53) G8 1 ply search + 8 ply capture
(54) F6 2 ply search + 2 ply capture
(55) F7 2 ply search + 3 ply capture
(56) F8 2 ply search + 4 ply capture
Solve Mate Level (H1 - H6) :
Your NOVAG OPAL II can solve most chess problems as well as mate problems up
to Mate-in-6. Press NEW GAME and set up the required board position (see section
12.). Before you start with the mate search, it is advisable to verify the Set-Up board
position via the VERIFY function and make sure that the color to move is correct, if
not change this by pressing the COLOR key. Set now one of the Problem Solving
Levels as described above.
Press GO once to exit the setting up of the mate search and then press GO a second
time and the computer begins with the mate search.
Level Problem
(57) H1 Mate in 1
(58) H2 Mate in 2
(59) H3 Mate in 3
(60) H4 Mate in 4
(61) H5 Mate in 5
(62) H6 Mate in 6
Random Level (H7) = Level 63
On Random Level the computer selects a random time between 1-64 seconds
inclusive. The average time will be about 30 seconds. per move.
Referee Level (H8) = Level 64
On this level the player can enter moves for Black and White. The computer will not
calculate any moves, but will check the legality of all moves entered. This level may
be used to enter particular book openings or to allow 2 players to challenge each
other.
Apart from being able to enter moves for both sides, the following features are
available : TAKE BACK, CHANGE COLOR, HINT, SET UP, VERIFY, SOUND
ON/OFF.
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