increase/decrease the levels by ten. Note that pressing and holding
down ˘ or ¯ will automatically increase/decrease the levels one at a
time, until you stop pressing the key. When your desired level is
displayed, press ENTER to enter that level selection into the com-
puter. The display will confirm with Level changed, and you'll go
back to the Main Menu. Press MENU to return to game play.
If you enter Level Mode to verify the level, but you don't actually
want to change levels, press CLEAR to go back to the Main Menu.
Once you exit the Main Menu with MENU, you'll return to your game
without changing the level or clock settings.
Please also note the following regarding level selection:
• The level can be changed whenever it's your turn to move.
• Changing the level always resets the chess clocks.
• If you change levels while the computer is thinking, the computer
will abort its search and reset the clock.
FUN LEVELS
5.1 Fun Levels
Level
Description
1 ....... Fun Level 1 ........................................ <Fun Level 1>
2 ....... Fun Level 2 ........................................ <Fun Level 2>
3 ....... Fun Level 3 ........................................ <Fun Level 3>
...all the way up to...
58 ...... Fun Level 58 ...................................... <Fun Level 58>
59 ...... Fun Level 59 ...................................... <Fun Level 59>
60 ...... Fun Level 60 ...................................... <Fun Level 60>
The Fun Levels are meant primarily for beginners and younger
players. On these levels, Cosmic Chess is much more "human" than
most other 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 some of these levels, this
computer actually does!
Handicaps are built into these levels, demonstrating common
mistakes made by beginners. You may see the computer deliberately
ignore the material worth of pieces, and ignore key concepts such as
pawn structure, centrality, mobility, and King safety. It may overlook or
walk into mates, develop its Queen too early, or make impulsive
captures and checks. Chess books often advise of basic rules, yet
players see their opponents breaking the rules and getting away with
it. The Fun Levels provide a way to practice punishment of these
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