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KingKing ArArthurthur OPERATING MANUAL English p. 2

www.ExcaliburElectronics.com Model No. 915-3 ENGLISH ENGLISH ongratulations! You now own Arthur, not just a terrific player, but your own personal chess trainer. You’ll be KING ARTHUR C amazed at his strong, insightful play and delighted by his many unique features, those that make playing chess and improving fun! One of these innovative features is the LCD that automatically TABLE OF CONTENTS shows you the current board position, and lots of other information, at all times! CHAPTER 1: QUICK START & THE BASICS...... page 6 1.1 Installing the batteries Take a moment to notice that every square on King Arthur’s chess 1.2 Finding the pieces board has a unique “address,” a letter and number that corresponds to 1.3 Setting up the pieces the file and rank of the square. This is the same system used by chess 1.4 Making your move masters the world over. King Arthur uses these square designations to 1.5 Moving King Arthur’s piece as displayed communicate with you about the game. Of course, he shows you the —you’ve got a game going! moves on his unique display as well. 1.6 Putting a game “on hold” CHAPTER 2: KEY FUNCTIONS & GENERAL LAYOUT . . page 10 CHAPTER 3: SPECIAL KEYS AND FEATURES ...... page 12 3.1 Starting a new game 3.2 Playing the Black pieces from the start of a game 3.3 Switching sides during a game 3.4 Adjusting the display contrast 3.5 Playing without the physical pieces 3.6 Change your mind? Take your move back! 3.7 Changing levels of play 3.8 Display options 3.9 Forcing King Arthur to move immediately 3.10 Getting hints 3.11 Displaying threats The legendary King Arthur brandished a magic sword, 3.12 Peeking into King Arthur’s brain on higher levels Excalibur, from which we take our company name. With 3.13 Replaying a variation this unique weapon in his hands, he could not be vanquished. 3.14 Practicing Although Excalibur Electronics can’t claim the magi- 3.15 Turning off the sound cal secrets of Merlin, King Arthur’s court 3.16 King Arthur versus King Arthur—“automatic pilot” wizard, sometimes our patented technology 3.17 Human versus Human may make it seem as if we could. 3.18 Automatic shut-off 3.19 Flip Option: Playing Black from the LCD-Side King Arthur chess is another unmatched innovation of Excalibur Electronics. We make you think. 2 3 ENGLISH ENGLISH KING ARTHUR TABLE OF CONTENTS, CONTINUED CHAPTER 4: GETTING A RATING AT THE ROUND TABLE ....page 18 CHAPTER 8: TEACHING AND TRAINING FEATURES . . . page 25 4.1 Viewing your rating 8.1 Piece training positions 4.2 Submitting a game for rating The mini-games The mating-practice positions CHAPTER 5: SPECIAL MESSAGES FROM CAMELOT ....page 19 8.2 Mate-problem training 5.1 8.3 Opening book trainer: learning book openings 5.2 Ratable game the easy way, with King Arthur’s help! 5.3 Two-player mode 8.4 Multi-move: setting up your own opening positions 5.4 Threat 8.5 Great games 5.5 5.6 CHAPTER 9: SETTING UP SPECIAL POSITIONS ...... page 34 5.7 Forced 9.1 Removing a piece 5.8 Other checkmates 9.2 Changing the color of a piece 9.3 Adding a piece or changing the type of piece CHAPTER 6: SOME SPECIAL CHESS MOVES ...... page 21 9.4 Setting up special positions & problems 6.1 Capturing 6.2 6.3 Promoting pawns CHAPTER 10: IMPORTANT TECHNICAL DETAILS ...... page 37 6.4 —taking a in passing 10.1 The ACL button 10.2 Special care 10.3 information CHAPTER 7: TOO HARD? TOO EASY? ALL ABOUT LEVELS page 23 10.4 Warranty information 7.1 Beginner Levels 7.2 Fixed-ply level 7.3 Timed levels 7.4 Infinite search 7.5 Fast level option 7.6 Random level option

4 5 ENGLISH ENGLISH 1.2 some products that show an KING ARTHUR Finding the pieces ignorance of this basic rule!) You’ll see that King Arthur’s The larger compartment lid on board is of course designed cor- CHAPTER1: the left conveniently stores your rectly. chess pieces when they’re not in Place the chess pieces in their QUICK START & BASICS use. Although one of King initial starting position, as Arthur’s breakthrough features Be sure to read this section. It the pressure-catch at the bottom shown in the LCD display at the permits you to play without contains information not dupli- of the lid. Push up and then pull bottom of the ,, with using these pieces, let’s start by cated in the rest of this manual. out. The lid will detach. Insert the White pieces closest to you. using them. Open the larger lid Chapter 1 will show you the three (3) fresh, alkaline AA bat- (If you choose to play Black, go in the same method you used in basics of getting started. If teries in the battery holder. Note to the Section 3.2 “Playing the Step 1. Remove the pieces and you’re impatient for the fun to the arrangement of the batteries Black pieces from the start of set them to the side. Then begin, you’ll be able to play a called for by the diagram in the the game.) replace the lid. Now you can game of chess with King Arthur holder. Make sure that the posi- turn King Arthur right side up, after only the few minutes read- tive tip of each battery matches 1.4 with the Excalibur on the ing this short chapter will take. up with the + sign in the battery Making your move bottom left. But we recommend that you compartment so that polarity Besides deciding on a good soon go on to read the entire will be correct. When the batter- 1.3 move, you have to move the operating manual, so that you’ll ies are properly installed, you’ll Setting up the pieces piece in a way that King Arthur get the full benefit of King hear a series of tones as King Whichever side (color) you will recognize what’s been Arthur’s amazing features. Arthur automatically turns him- play in chess, a light-colored played. He will automatically self on and lets you know he’s square must always be located sense your move if you follow a ready for action. Replace the 1.1 on your right—chess players say simple routine. Think of com- battery compartment panel by Installing the batteries “Light on right.” (You’ll have municating your move as a two- first fitting the two small tabs at Turn King Arthur over care- fun noticing television and mag- step process—registering the the top of the lid into their recep- fully with his chessboard face- azine ads, movies and even FROM square and then register- tacles. Then place your thumb down, so that the small compart- ing the TO square. under the pressure catch, push- ment lid is at the top right. This ing up and in until the lid snaps King Arthur “times out” after not being used for a few minutes. lid covers the battery compart- into place. Leave King Arthur If this happens, just press the ON/CLEAR button ment. Place your thumb below face down. on the bottom row of keys. 6 7 ENGLISH ENGLISH

If you make an illegal move, King Arthur will sound a lower In between moves, King Arthur will display the time taken for tone and display the TO and FROM squares necessary to move each move and the number of the move. the piece back to its previous square. When this happens, you must follow the standard procedure of pushing on the FROM and need to move the piece on the long as you do not interrupt the TO squares to get the piece back in its previous position. Then make board for him. Follow the same power supply—for example, by a legal move. two-step procedure you did removing the batteries. To while registering your own resume play, just press the Lift the piece or pawn you registered your move. Place the move—gently pushing on the ON/CLEAR key. A word of want to move. (Moving the piece gently on its new square. TO and FROM squares and lis- warning—your memory of the pawn in front of either your king (Some players like to push the tening for the confirming tones. game in progress may get a bit or ahead two squares for- squares with their forefinger You’re already playing a game! vague, but King Arthur will ward is a great first move for while holding the piece in the Enjoy the contest. remember the game perfectly! If White.) Press the edge of the rest of the fingers of the same you’ve put the pieces safely piece’s base down gently on the hand.) away in their compartment dur- center of its FROM square. 1.6 Putting a game ing your break, or they may have You’ll hear a beep, and King 1.5 “on hold” been disturbed, just use the dis- Arthur will display the FROM Want to stop for a phone call, Moving King Arthur’s play to help you correctly set the square—for example “E2.” or even a weekend trip? Any piece-you’ve got a game pieces back up. If you do want to Then press the edge of the piece time it’s your move and you wish going! clear the current game at any down gently on the square you to stop playing for a while, just You’ll notice that King Arthur time, just press NEW GAME. want to move it to—for exam- press the OFF/SAVE key. King almost immediately displays his ple, “E4.” King Arthur will beep Arthur will switch off and go response to your move. King again, confirming that he has into a sleep mode. He will Arthur decides on his own remember the last position, move, of course, and lets you including the elapsed time, as know what it is by displaying it at the top of the LCD board. For example, if you play 1. E2-E4, King Arthur’s display will always show he may respond E7-E5. But you the correct position as King Arthur “sees” it. To register your move properly, press the side of the piece’s base gently It’s a good idea occasionally to compare down on the center of the FROM the position in his “head” to the one square, and then on the center of the on the board. TO square. 89 ENGLISH ENGLISH

KING ARTHUR Sensory Board CHAPTER 2: Recognizes your moves. KEY FUNCTIONS & GENERAL LAYOUT RATING Key Physical chess pieces Check your rating. SETUP Key OPTION Key Add or remove pieces and Select many features. enter special positions. CONTRAST Key HINT Key Adjust display Obtain a hint. contrast. WIN Key Rate a win. THREAT Key AUTO Key See the threat! Watch King Arthur play himself. MODE Key Access training features. LEVEL Key Change skill levels. MOVE Key OFF/SAVE Key Switch sides or make Put King Arthur in sleep mode & save your game. NEW GAME Key TAKEBACK Key King Arthur move Start a new game. immediately. Take back a mistake. ON/CLEAR KEY Turn King Arthur MULTI-MOVE Key LCD Board Display on or clear an entry. Make moves for both sides Shows piece positions, to set up favorite openings. board and messages.

10 11 ENGLISH ENGLISH board. You can switch sides FROM squares with your fin- KING ARTHUR back and forth as often as you ger. like. 3.6 Change your mind? CHAPTER3: 3.4 Adjusting Take your move back! SPECIAL KEYS & FEATURES the display contrast If you’ve made a move and To compensate for differences then changed your mind, simply 3.1 Starting a new game up at your end—close to the in lighting and battery strength, press the TAKE BACK key. In If you want to start a new LCD. press the CONTRAST key fact, by repeatedly pressing the game, simply push the NEW Of course, the labels on the repeatedly to adjust the display TAKE BACK key, you can take GAME button when it’s not squares can’t change. So when contrast to one of sixteen set- back a whole series of moves. King Arthur’s move. King playing White, if King Arthur tings. For each move you wish to take Arthur will sound the “charge” wants to play what normally back, the display will show the for a new game. would be “E2-E4” for White, 3.5 Playing without the TO and FROM squares neces- he’ll do this by communicating physical pieces sary to move the piece back to “E7-E5,” which accurately cor- 3.2 Playing the Black You can play without the its previous square. You must pieces from the start of responds to your board. follow the standard procedure Make all moves and choose three-dimensional pieces, view- a game ing only the display. Press the of pushing on each of these all options in the normal fash- squares (when a move was a Since White always moves OPTION key until the display ion. capture, King Arthur will then first, you’ll want to practice shows “TOUCH.” Then press signal the capture square, and playing Black as well as White. the > key. “ON” will be dis- 3.3 Switching sides the LCD will display the proper To play the Black pieces, start a played. Now when you play, the during a game piece to restore) to get each new game by pushing the NEW display will show you King After the first move, whenev- piece back in its previous posi- GAME button. Then press the Arthur’s move, signaling the TO er it’s your move you can switch tion. MOVE button. King Arthur will and FROM squares several sides, taking over King Arthur’s If you change your mind back now automatically make the times to make it clear, but you game and color and giving him to the original move, you can first move. You’ll see that the will not have to register his yours, by pushing the MOVE press the MOVE key to replay LCD shows Black at the bot- move. In this mode, the large button. The pieces will remain the taken-back move or moves. tom. If you’re using the playing as they are, meaning you will be playing board acts as a touch board with the three dimension- playing from the top of the screen so that you can input al pieces, set the Black pieces your moves by pressing TO and 12 13 ENGLISH ENGLISH 3.7 Changing levels the number of the current move. To show all legal moves for a move he is considering, and of play If instead you want to display selected piece, press the clock times. These will be dis- You can change levels by the piece-score of your current OPTION button until HELP is played while the computer is pressing the LEVEL key to position to see quickly who’s displayed. Press the MOVE > thinking at its higher levels. increase the level one at a time. ahead in material, turn on the key to turn on the option. The Pressing the > key increases the “SCORE” option. The score display will show HELP. Exit 3.13 Replaying level by 10. Pressing the < key option totals the following val- OPTION mode by pressing a variation decreases the level by 10. (See ues: Pawns—1, Knights—3, ON/CLEAR. This feature is used best when chapter 7 for a full explanation Bishops—3, Rooks—5, and playing without the physical of levels.) Queen—9. 3.11 Displaying threats pieces (See 3.5, above.) When King Arthur will tell you when you want to take back a whole 3.8 Display options 3.9 Forcing King Arthur there is a serious threat by dis- series of moves, press AUTO You have quite a choice of to move immediately playing the “!” sign. (See also then TAKEBACK. King Arthur information that King Arthur To interrupt King Arthur Section 5.4.) When this hap- will take back all moves in his will display for you. All of these while he’s thinking and make pens, you can push the THREAT memory. If you change your options are made available by him move immediately, press the key, and King Arthur will flash mind, you can replay the entire pressing the OPTION key until MOVE key. King Arthur will the threatening move. string of moves by immediately they are displayed. Then press > make the best move he’s found pressing MOVE. (When to turn these options on or off. so far. This feature can be very 3.12 Peeking into King “rPLAY” is no longer shown on Press the CLEAR key to exit useful on higher levels, when Arthur’s brain on higher the display, the last move of the OPTION. King Arthur may take a while levels variation has been reached.) Displaying total game thinking about his moves. At levels 6 and above, you can time used: actually see what King Arthur is 3.14 Practicing Your King Arthur normally 3.3 Getting Hints “thinking.” Press OPTION until blindfold chess shows the time taken for each If you don’t know which move “InFO” is displayed. Turn this Very good players sometimes move. With the “TotAL” option, to make, or you simply want to option on by pressing > or <. amaze people by playing with- you can instead choose to have see what King Arthur would rec- Exit OPTION mode by pressing out looking at the pieces and the total game time displayed. ommend, press HINT, and the ON/CLEAR. board. King Arthur gives you a Displaying display will show you the move When turned on, this option chance to test yourself at this the position score: King Arthur believes to be best. will display the score, depth of feat. To use this option, clear the Your display normally shows search (number of moves King large playing board of pieces. Arthur is “thinking ahead”), best 14 15 ENGLISH ENGLISH Press the BOARD key. The sound on, “1” - No sound on, or your mind, you can press AUTO pieces on the LCD chessboard “0” - No sound except for error again, and you will see the dis- 3.18 will disappear—you are now buzzes. Turn this option off by play read “1PLAYr.”) Press Automatic shut-off “blindfolded”! Play chess by pressing >. Exit OPTION mode MOVE. King Arthur will play To save battery power, King picturing in your head where the by pressing ON/CLEAR. himself. King Arthur will Arthur will turn himself off pieces are. Enter your moves as Even when the sound option is become fully automatic, not when no key has been pressed usual, and register King Arthur’s turned off, King Arthur will con- needing any move-registration for a while. You can decrease or moves normally. tinue to announce that he has help from you. You can see his increase the timing of this auto- When your memory gets hazy, found a move by making his nor- moves on the display. You can matic shut-off or turn it off alto- you can push BOARD to con- mal sound. He will also sound an stop auto play by pressing the gether. Press OPTION until firm the position. You can then alarm when an illegal move is MOVE key again. All other “SLEEP” is displayed. Then play the game out normally or made, and make the “in check” options remain available to you. press the > key to select a delay press BOARD again to continue warning sound. from 1 (shortest) to 14 (longest). playing “blindfold.” This exer- 3.17 Or select 0 to eliminate the auto- cise may help you learn to visu- 3.16 King Arthur Human versus human matic shut-off. alize better when you play versus King Arthur— You can play another human “without a blindfold.” “automatic pilot” using King Arthur’s board. He’ll monitor the game for you, mak- 3.19 Flip option: Note: Do not turn on the You can choose to have King ing sure all moves are legal, and Playing Black from the TOUCH option (see 3.5 above) Arthur play both sides of the while trying blindfold chess, will provide hints and elapsed LCD Side of the Board game. (This feature can be used Pressing the OPTION key since you must see King time. Access these in the normal from the beginning of the game repeatedly will display all selec- Arthur’s move coordinates on ways. table options. To play Black the display. or at any point in a game.) The To play a friend in this man- feature can also be used after ner, simply press MULTI- from the LCD-side of the board, press OPTION until "FLIP" is setting up a special position (see MOVE. Notice that the display 3.15 Turning reads “2PLAYr.” This indicates displayed. Use this option to flip Chapter 10). off the sound that two humans will be playing. the chessboard around. To choose this feature, press You may now select between You and your friend can begin Chess players who play in the AUTO key. You’ll notice that three styles of sound effects for play. (If you change your mind, official tournaments receive a the display reads “0PLAYr.” King Arthur, Do so by pressing you can press MULTI-MOVE rating. Similarly, King Arthur This indicates that no humans OPTION until “SOUND” is dis- again, and you will see the dis- will rate your play. will be playing. (If you change played. Select between “2” - All play read “1PLAYr.”) 16 17 ENGLISH ENGLISH game sends your rating up 200 that you’ve won, increase your KING ARTHUR points. You get 100 points for playing level by 10 when you winning your third rated game. play rated games. King Arthur After that, rating adjustments is telling you that you’ve CHAPTER4: are more modest. improved and you need to move On any given level, you can- up to a tougher level of play! GETTING A RATING AT not improve your rating by more King Arthur will send you than 400 points. When you helpful messages while you THE ROUND TABLE notice that your rating does not play. 4.1 simply press the RATING key go up when you submit a game Viewing your rating and then press the appropriate Press the RATING key to view key: WIN, DRAW, or LOSS, KING ARTHUR your current rating. But under- depending on your result in the stand that your rating won’t game. That’s all there is to it. change until you “submit” King Arthur will automatically CHAPTER5: games to the Round Table for adjust your rating. However, rating. when you King SPECIAL MESSAGES Arthur, he will display “LOSE.” 4.2 Before updating your rating, you FROM CAMELOT Submitting a game must press the NEW GAME key for rating and then the RATING key to General-information 5.3 Two-player mode Like any official tournament register your win. The “0” sym- messages To remind you when you are game, to be eligible for rating, bol will remain on, even when 5.1 Check in two-player (human versus your game must be played with NEW GAME is pressed. When you are in check, King human) mode (see 3.17, above), no HINTS or TAKE-BACKS. Arthur weighs your first three Arthur will alert you by display- “=” will be displayed. When you finish such a game, rated games the most heavily in ing a “+” sign. King Arthur will confirm that it order to establish a rough esti- 5.4 Threat is eligible for rating by display- mate of your strength quickly. 5.2 Ratable Game King Arthur will tell you ing a “0” symbol. Winning your first rated game When a game is ratable (see when there is a serious threat by To enter a game for rating, increases your rating by 300 Chapter 4), King Arthur will displaying the “!” sign. (See immediately after finishing it, points. Winning your second display a “0.” also Section 3.11.) When this

18 19 ENGLISH ENGLISH happens, you can push the be displayed. (Stalemate occurs THREAT key, and King Arthur when one of the players has no KING ARTHUR will flash the threatening move. legal moves but is not in check. Stalemate is one of the ways a Draw Messages game can be drawn.) CHAPTER6: 5.5 Draw When King Arthur recognizes Game-ending Messages SOME SPECIAL CHESS MOVES that a three-fold repetition of the 5.7 Forced checkmates It’s useful to focus on four the captured piece aside, off the position has occurred, he will King Arthur will announce chess moves—capturing, cast- board. display “DRAW.” Additionally, when he can force a mate-in-two ling, promoting pawns, and en When King Arthur displays when King Arthur recognizes (“MAtE2”) or a mate-in-three passant—to make sure you his move and there is one of that 50 moves have been played (“MAtE3”). He will display understand how to operate your your pieces on his TO square, he without exchanges or pawn “MatE,” along with “+” when King Arthur when employing knows he’s capturing that piece. moves, he will display “DRAW.” executing a checkmate. these moves. Follow the normal procedure: In either case, you can accept the Lift his piece off the FROM draw or ignore it by continuing 5.8 Other checkmates 6.1 Capturing square, pressing the square. Lift to play. When you checkmate King To win at chess, you’ve got to your piece from King Arthur’s Arthur, he will display “LOSE.” know how to take your oppo- TO square, and then set King 5.6 Stalemate When you want to claim a win, nent’s men! Capturing men while Arthur’s piece down on its TO When either opponent has draw, or want to resign—press playing your King Arthur is real- square, pressing the square. Set been stalemated, “STALE” will the NEW GAME key. ly the same process as moving, the captured piece off the board. except, of course, the captured piece has to be removed. To 6.2 Castling capture one of King Arthur’s Castling is a special and pieces, simply lift your piece off important move in chess. It its FROM square, pressing the whisks the king away to safety square to properly register the while getting the into the move. Then lift the piece being game. Castling while playing captured off the TO square, and King Arthur is just like moving set your piece down on the TO any other piece, except that in square, pressing the square. Set castling, you move two pieces,

20 21 ENGLISH ENGLISH and you have to move the king pawn to a queen, since this is the remove the captured pawn. You pawn before removing it from first. best choice in nearly every case. must press down on the captured the board. Whether you’re castling king- In the unlikely event you want to side or queenside, first move promote your pawn to a piece and press your king down on its other than a queen, use King KING ARTHUR FROM square (if castling king- Arthur’s SET UP feature. (See side, E1). Then move and press Chapter 9.) CHAPTER 7: your king down on its TO square King Arthur immediately rec- (if castling kingside, G1). King ognizes your new piece, and TOO HARD? TOO EASY? Arthur automatically recognizes begins thinking about the posi- castling maneuvers after the tion in order to move. When the ALL ABOUT LEVELS king is moved two squares. He computer pushes a pawn to your then reminds you, by displaying back row or rank, it will always You already know, from 7.1 Beginner levels the proper FROM square, to promote to a queen. Remember Chapter 3, section 3.7, how to The first four levels (1, 2, 3 complete castling by moving the to change the piece on the board select the level King Arthur is and 4) are beginner levels and rook. Move the rook in the rou- after either side promotes a playing at. With his 73 levels of take approximately 4, 8, 12 and tine manner, pushing on its TO pawn. When promoting a pawn play, King Arthur can adjust 16 seconds per move, respec- and FROM squares normally. to a queen and the original himself to play you a competi- tively. Remember, you must always queen is still on the board, chess tive game, no matter what your move the King first when players frequently mark the new level of skill! It’s more fun and 7.2 Fixed ply levels Level 5 is a fixed 1-ply (one- castling! queen with an upside-down more educational to select a half move) search. rook. level that gives both you and 6.3 Promoting Pawns King Arthur a reasonable When a pawn reaches the chance of winning. Try to find a 7.3 Timed levels 6.4 En Passant —taking Levels 6 through 15 take other end of the board, official level at which you win about a pawn in passing about 1 second per level num- chess rules say that you can pro- half the time. As you get better, For an en passant capture, ber, so level 10 will average mote it to a more valuable piece. simply adjust King Arthur’s press the FROM and TO squares about 10 seconds per move. To promote a pawn, make your playing level so he can of the capturing pawn. The Levels 16 through 72 take about pawn move to the last rank in the “improve” as you do! square of the pawn being cap- 2 seconds per level numbers. normal manner. King Arthur tured will then appear on the dis- The amount of time taken will will automatically promote the play. This is to remind you to vary depending on the position, 22 23 ENGLISH ENGLISH the stage of the game, and ing. In this mode, King Arthur whether or not the FAST level will search faster and look more KING ARTHUR option is on. deeply into the position. Press > or < to turn FAST on or off. CHAPTER 8: 7.4 Infinite search Press CLEAR to exit options Level 73 is an infinite level. mode. TEACHING AND King Arthur will take as long to move as you want him to, or 7.6 Random level option TRAINING FEATURES until he finds a mate position in Press the OPTION key until remain second nature. Like any his search. Level 73 is perfect the display shows “RAND,” 8.1 great trainer, your King Arthur for problem solving (see which stands for “random.” Piece Training Positions will play you these special prac- Chapter 10). You can also play “RAND” allows King Arthur to You can practice in eight dif- tice games. against it. When you are tired of choose between good moves ferent training positions. There waiting for King Arthur to randomly so that you get to are five special mini-games and Press MODE until “TrAIn” is move, press the MOVE key practice and play against differ- three mating-practice positions. displayed. Then press >. Look at while the computer is thinking, ent responses. Press > or < to the LCD to see which of the and the computer will stop turn “RAND” on or off. Press The mini-games mini-games are displayed. You’ll thinking and play the best move the CLEAR key to exit options The most famous and success- see that the mini-games always it’s found so far. mode. ful chess teachers in the world include the king and pawns for King Arthur offers four major take their beginning students 7.5 Fast level option teaching and training programs from the simple to the complex both sides. In fact, one mini- Press LEVEL, then OPTION. that provide you unique and by having them play “mini- game contains just this material. The display will indicate enjoyable ways to get to be a games” of chess that concentrate The other four mini-games use options. very strong chess player. You on just one or more types of kings and pawns, but add a dif- First the display will show the can access all of them by press- pieces. Even advanced players ferent single piece to the exer- “FAST” option. “FAST” uses a ing the MODE key and selecting practice these basics, just as a cise—knight, , rook, and more selective search for think- the training feature you want by concert pianist continues to then queen. using the > key. practice the scales so that they

24 25 ENGLISH ENGLISH Start with the basic king-and- mating-practice exercises will lem you’d like to solve. 8.3 Opening book train- pawns mini-game. Press > until make sure you know the tech- Problems 1-31 are mate-in-two er: learning book open- your display looks like the dia- niques. problems, which means White ings the easy way, with gram below. After pressing MODE until can force mate in two moves. King Arthur’s help “TrAIn” appears, again press > There may or may not be other One of the most stunning wdwdkdwd until you come to positions ways to win, but you’re looking 0p0p0p0p innovations of King Arthur is his without pawns and with the for the two moves that will result wdwdwdwd special ability to teach you Black king in the middle of the in checkmate. Most of the time, dwdwdwdw “book openings.” Book open- wdwdwdwd board. These are the mate-train- the first of these moves is the ings are the beginning patterns dwdwdwdw ing positions. The three different hardest to find. Problem 32 is a of moves that have been worked P)P)P)P) mate-training positions give mate-in-three. out by chess masters over the dwdwIwdw White, besides his king, either If you can’t find the solution, centuries as the best ways to two bishops, two rooks, or the make King Arthur show you the Make your first move. Your begin a game. Previously, play- queen. These are excellent exer- correct moves to a problem by object, as in regular chess, is to ers had to spend tedious hours cises, used by the greatest chess setting his level to 73, and then checkmate the king. Normally, searching out lines of play from teachers in the world. In all three pressing the MOVE key. this means both sides will try to hard-to-follow columns in books. positions you can force mate in a force a pawn through to the This practice required a confus- number of ways. Work on these other side of the board safely to ing process of looking back and mate-training exercises until you promote it to a queen. You’ll can mate Black efficiently. learn lots of principles, tricks, and traps in this training mode All of these training modes can be made that will win you many full- 8.2 even more effective by combining them with other fledged chess games! Mate-problem training teaching features of King Arthur: You can further hone your checkmating skills and have fun The mating-practice Ask for a HINT any time it’s your move. at the same time by solving the positions 32 separate problems available Get King Arthur’s position score. To win at chess, you have to on King Arthur. At the start of a (See section 3.8.) know how to checkmate! Just game, press MODE until knowing that you have enough Switch sides when you want to practice from “MATE” is displayed. Then material to mate doesn’t earn press > or < to select the prob- the Black side. you the point. King Arthur’s

26 27 ENGLISH ENGLISH forth between a book and a move is not correct, an error 7. Four Knights books on chess available at 8. Petroff Defense chessboard. But with your King buzz will sound and the move 9. bookstores and libraries. Arthur’s special training feature, will NOT be made. You can take 10. Sicilian, Classical Defense you’ll find yourself learning the another guess, or learn the cor- 11. Sicilian, Accelerated Dragon 8.4 MULTI-MOVE: 12. Sicilian, Rossolimo Attack openings extremely quickly, sav- rect move by pressing HINT. 13. Sicilian, Dragon Variation setting up your own ing yourself many hours—and When the computer comes back 14. Sicilian, Scheveningen opening positions Variation having fun while you learn! Use with its move, you will briefly 15. Sicilian, Najdorf Variation King Arthur also allows you to this training mode as often as see the word “OP En” on the 16. Sicilian, Moscow Variation set up any book opening you you wish—keep improving your screen if you have another 17. Caro-Kann Defense 18. Panov-Botvinnik Attack want—or even an opening you knowledge of opening play! opening move to make. If “OP 19. French Defense, Winawer invent—to practice. Press At the beginning of a game, En” does not appear, you may Variation MULTI-MOVE. Your display 20. French Defense, you may choose to learn one of continue normal play or go on to Classical Defense will read “PLAYr.” Make sure 34 popular book openings. Press another opening. You have com- 21. French Defense, the number of players is set to 2. MODE until “OP En” is dis- pleted the training for that open- McCutcheon Variation 22. French Defense, Then make moves for both sides played. Then press > until the ing line. Tarrasch Variation until the opening position you number of the opening (see list Below are the numbers and 23. Queen’s Accepted want to practice is reached. Then 24. Queen’s Gambit Declined below) you want to learn or names of openings that you can 25. Queen’s Gambit, press MULTI-MOVE again to review is displayed in the upper study with King Arthur’s Book Semi- set the number of players to 1. left of the display. (You can use Opening Trainer. 26. Queen’s Gambit, Tarrasch Defense Press CLEAR and play against < to “loop” backward in the list. 1. Ruy Lopez, Variation 27. Queen’s Gambit, Slav Defense the computer in this position. For example, if you want to 2. , Closed Defense 28. Nimzo-Indian select opening 30, it’s faster to 3. Ruy Lopez, Open Defense Defense, Rubinstein Variation 4. Ruy Lopez Archangel Defense 29. Nimzo-Indian 8.5 use the < key.) 5. Giuoco Piano Defense, Classical Variation Great Games Now play a move. If your 6. 30. Queen’s Indian Defense 31. Queen’s Indian One of the many extra features Defense, Petrosian Variation offered by King Arthur that is After the first move of any opening, 32. Bogo-Indian Defense both great chess training and a 33. Gruenfeld Defense whenever it’s your move, you can switch sides 34. King’s Indian Defense lot of fun is the Great Games. with King Arthur by pressing MOVE. Over the centuries there have These openings and the expla- been many chess masterpieces In this way, you can practice both sides of these nations of each move, along that players have recorded, stud- important, standard chess openings. with example games by chess ied, and passed down to follow- masters, are given in many ing generations. Top chess play- 28 29 ENGLISH ENGLISH ers know many such games by automatically give you the win- tions, and dates of the great ment (more of his pieces are deployed) and the bishop pair (two bishops against a bish- heart. ning side. Make the best move games are given below, along op and knight). These two important advan- King Arthur gives you 16 such you find! with a brief explanation of each tages were all Morphy needed. After Black wastes even more time with another pawn games to enjoy and study. King Arthur will give you game by popular chess writer Al move, 9. … b5?, Morphy hits the duo with a What’s more, you play the win- points for each correct move that Lawrence. (All game explana- series of brilliant sacrifices to mate. Victory of mind over material is the poetry of chess. ning side in these masterpieces you make. The display will show tions are © 2000 by Al 4. vs. Kurt von and try to find the same ingen- your total great-game score in Lawrence; all rights reserved.) Bardeleben, Hastings, 1895 ious moves the great masters two digits (zero at the start) on Wilhelm Steinitz, the first official world champion, begins this game as a Giuoco 1. Adolf Anderssen vs. Lionel Piano. He maneuvers deftly to keep his did! Don’t worry; King Arthur the left. On the right, the display Kieseritsky, London, 1851 opponent from castling into safety. Then he will help you whenever you also shows the amount of points This marvelous attacking game, a King's sacrifices his pawn on d5 so that he can want. Just push the HINT key to you will win if you play the cor- Gambit, is widely known as "The Immortal make the square available for his knight. But Game." Both players show the 19th-century the most brilliant move of the game is 22. find the next move. (Don’t feel rect next great-game move. preference for attack at all costs, and Rxe7+. At first glance, it simply looks like a bad about pushing the HINT key If you don’t play the correct Anderssen was one of the most ingenious . All of White's pieces are attacked, attackers of all time. After 18. Bd6, he gives and if Black wasn't in check, he could play often—after all, these are among great-game move, an error buzz away both of his rooks and his queen! In the … Rxc1+ with mate next. But if Black can't the world’s most brilliant games!) will sound, the incorrect move final position, his tiny force is deployed in take the rook—with either his king or just the right way to bring the complete Black queen—he loses in all variations. And by not To access this feature, at the will NOT be played, and the army to its knees. taking it, he is eventually mated anyway. If beginning of a game, press points for this move will be 2. Adolf Anderssen vs. J. Dufresne, you're interested in these complex lines, you Berlin, 1852 can find a complete explanation of this clas- sic game in many books. MODE until “GA ME” is dis- divided in half. If the bonus goes Again we see Anderssen bamboozling his played. Then press > until the to zero, the correct move will opponent. The game starts as an Evan's 5. Alexander Alekhine vs. O. Tenner, Cologne, 1911 number of the great game (see automatically flash. Most moves Gambit, a form of the . White's 19th move, Rad1!! is one of the most cele- World Champion Alekhine was a chess list below) you want to see is start with 4 bonus points, but brated in the history of the game. With his fanatic (he even named his cat "Chess") and reply, … Qxf3, Black actually wins a knight one of the greatest attacking players of all displayed in the upper left of the some brilliant moves start with 8 and threatens mate. You'd think that would be time. Here he plays the unusual Bishop's display. (You can use < to “loop” points. enough! But Anderssen follows with a rook Opening and seems to be developing quietly. and queen that forces checkmate in Black even appears to be getting a good backward in the list. For exam- These famous games by some a shower of brilliant blows. This classic is game just at the time Alekhine is able to play ple, if you want to select Great of the most brilliant chess mas- known as the "Evergreen Game." the swashbuckling 11. Nxe5, allowing Black to capture his queen. Black's king is forced Game 15, it’s faster to use the < ters of all time can be found, to march to the center of the board, an 3. vs. Duke Karl unhealthy spot for a monarch when so many key.) along with full explanations of & Count Isouard, Paris, 1858 pieces are still on the board, where he is Along with the game number, the reasoning behind the bril- While in Paris at the opera, the brilliant, mated. It's important to understand that such you will see the position of the liant moves, in many books on unofficial world champion from New sacrifices don't just happen illogically. Orleans plays an offhand game against two White's pieces again had a dominating com- game after the first two moves chess. noblemen. In this case, we're sure it was over mand of the board, and Black allowed before the fat lady sang! In a Philidor White's pressure on f7, Black's most sensi- were played. King Arthur will The numbers, players, loca- Defense, the team of two played a weak 3. … tive defensive square when he hasn't castled, Bg5 that left Morphy with superior develop- to build into an explosion. 30 31 ENGLISH ENGLISH 6. Gaudersen vs. Paul, Melbourne, 1928 queen's rook and bishop seem to be waiting "unemployed" queen and rook on a8 and b8! all the way to the 7th rank. Because of this This "miniature" of only 15 moves, starts off for the next game. They don't have long to 12. J. Banas vs. P. Lukacs, Trnava, 1986 queening threat, White is able to sacrifice his as a French Defense in which White plays wait. queen for one of Black's defending rooks. In In a Four Knights' Game, Black gets his king the Advance Variation, placing his pawns on 9. Aaron Nimzovich vs. the final position, it's hopeless for Black d4 and e5. Black's 8th move, castling, was in into safety by castling and takes advantage of because White will either promote his pawn S. Alapin, Riga, 1913 White's awkward piece placement by sacri- this case a blunder because his kingside is Another French Defense. In this one, the to a queen or capture whatever Black uses to attacked by many pieces and not effectively ficing his knight with 9. … Nf3+. Then he on d8. great Latvian player and writer Nimzovich allows White to take his bishop on c5. But by defended. White's sparkling 9. Bxh7+ is an (after whom the Nimzo-Indian Opening is 15. Robert Fischer vs. Reuben Fine, example of a bishop sacrifice that's hap- that time, White's king is surrounded. In the named—see page 6) plays an opponent who final position, after 13. … Ng4, White's only New York, 1963 pened so often it has a name—the "Greek wastes time stealing a pawn with 9. … Qxg2. Nine years before winning the world cham- Gift." White's 14. Nxe6+ is an example of a effective defender, his knight on e3, is forced "Nimzo" plays a punishing 12. O-O-O!, sac- from its square, allowing … Qg2 mate. pionship, played this Evan's discovered check, the dive bomber of the rificing his knight. He finishes up with a Gambit (a variation of the Giuoco Piano) chessboard. White's amusing 15th move is a convincing that forces 13. Anatoly Karpov vs. against his famous elder. Bobby sacrifices very rare example of checkmate with the en checkmate. Victor Kortchnoi, Moscow, 1974 two pawns in order to get his pieces out passant capture. Twentieth-century chess perfected defense. 10. Jose Capablanca vs. Herman Steiner, quickly. Then he plays 14. h2-h4!, sacrific- 7. Edward Lasker vs. It is no longer typical to see top-level players ing another pawn to force the Black queen Los Angeles, 1933 playing only for the attack. In fact, Korchnoi George Thomas, London, 1910 The handsome Cuban World Champion Jose away from the g7-square. After that, Black's This masterpiece, a Dutch Defense, features at the time of this game was one of the best king will be stuck in the center and in danger Capablanca had a deceptively simple style. in the world, and his forte was defense. Many a famous example of the king’s walk to mate. Here we see him playing the old-fashioned of the h4-d8 diagonal. Bobby's final move, Edward, an American distant cousin of the fine players would attack him ingeniously, 17. Qg3!, forces Fine to resign, because he Four Knights' game and opening up his only to break up on his rock-like fortifica- great world champion Emmanuel Lasker, opponent's kingside pawn protection by must move his queen from the critical black gets his pieces activated against Black's tions. Still, World Champion Karpov crushes diagonal h4-d8. Even on 17. … Qxg3, White move 11! His first rook sacrifice, 17. Rxf6!, him in only 27 moves with a mating attack! kingside while the English champion can't be refused and forces Black's king into ignores the capture of his own queen and Thomas develops (gets his pieces off the In a classic manner against Black's Sicilian plays 18. Bf6 mate! a deadly crossfire. With 23. Qxb7!, Capa Dragon defense (so named probably because back rank and into play) too slowly. By 10. offers a second rook, which can't be taken 16. Lajos Portisch vs. Johannessen, Qh5, White is already threatening an all-out of the "tail" of control Black's bishop makes immediately because of 23. … Qxf6? 24. from g7 to a1), Karpov plays the St. George Havana, 1966 blitzkrieg. His brilliant queen sacrifice 11. Qb4 checkmate. But Black is forced to take During the first half of this game, a Queen's Qxh7 is followed by a devastating , castling queenside and prying open the rook a move later and mate follows on the h-file to slay the dragon. Gambit Slav, the great Hungarian grandmas- , 12. Nxf6++. Then Black's king the same square. ter Lajos Portisch locks up the center with a has to walk the plank, all the way across the 14. Boris Spassky vs. Tigran Petrosian, d4-e5 structure by move 14. This gives him a board to g1, the normal spot for the White 11. Mikhail Botvinnik vs. Paul Keres, Moscow, 1969 The Hague, 1948 "beachhead" on e5 and makes it hard for king! Here he breathes his last. Spassky won the world championship from Black to counterattack in the center, which is Botvinnik won the world championship a Petrosian in the match that produced this 8. Wilhelm Steinitz vs. A. Mongredien, record three times. His opponent here is pos- the standard antidote for an attack on the London, 1862 game. In this that becomes wing. The next stage starts with 16. h4. sibly the strongest 20th-century chess player a Queen's Gambit, you'll see that once again This game starts out as a Center Counter who did not become world champion. The Portisch announces his intention to attack on (also called ). Black White gets a strong center and quick devel- the kingside. He refrains from castling his opening is a Nimzo-Indian. White's doubled opment of his pieces. As early as 13. Rd1, loses too much time developing his pieces, pawns are potentially a long-term weakness, own king into safety because he knows it’s while White gets his into play aggressively. you can sense that Black is in danger. His safe enough in the center, at least for the time but in the short term they control a good king has no piece defenders; his forces seem Indeed, White's army dominates the all- many all-important central squares. White it will take him to break through with his important center of the board as well as the passive while White's are aggressively coor- attack. When Black tries to trade off pieces plays cleverly to keep a grip on the position dinated. As often happens in such situations, king's side. This sets the stage for a mating and breaks through on the queenside with his with 17. … Bxf3, Portisch sacrifices a knight attack. White's two-move maneuver 13. Rf3 White breaks through with a pawn push in for an unstoppable attack with 18. Bxh6 and pawn-push 17. c4-c5. This gives him a the center, in this case 15. d4-d5!. It clears and 14. Rh3 is called a rook lift, and is a typ- chance to bring his queenside rook into then calmly moves his king to the second ical attacking strategy. This rook then sacri- the board for White's more active forces. rank to bring his other rook into the game. action. He swings it against the kingside, Petrosian, one of the best defenders of all fices itself on h7 in a way that allows Steinitz sacrificing it on g7 to win. In the final posi- His Rxh4 was another brilliant sacrifice that to bring his other rook quickly into the fray. time, tries repeatedly to trade queens, but crushes any hope of defense. In the final tion, Black's king will be mated by the White White wisely rebuffs these offers, which White is a rook down, but all of his forces queen, supported by the bishop on c1. Where position, Black resigns because White will take part in the assault, while the Black would take much of the power off the board. simply play 26. Rxh6+, winning the Black did Black go wrong? Take a look at his White's d-pawn becomes a star, advancing 32 33 ENGLISH ENGLISH queen. If 26. … Qxh6, then White plays 27. pieces—for example, from a up yourself. It also allows you to Qxh6+ and will mate on h7. 9.3 Adding a piece or knight to a queen. Obviously, changing the type of a enter game positions you want At any time during a game this feature lets you strengthen piece to play, or that you want King when it is your move, you may your side of the game or the To add or change a piece, Arthur to look at, perhaps using change the position on the board computer’s, resurrect lost pieces, press SETUP, then press the key his Infinite Search level (see by adding a piece or pieces, or even move your king out of an that indicates the type of piece Chapter 7). removing one or more pieces, or imminent checkmate threat. you want to place on the board. Normally, it is easier to start even changing any of the Then press the square on the from an empty board to set up sensory board until the piece such problems. So first, press KING ARTHUR appears as the correct color on OPTION until “CLr Br” (clear your display board. Press board) is displayed. Then press CHAPTER 9: CLEAR to continue the game. the SETUP key. You’ll see that your display board is automati- SETTING UP SPECIAL 9.4 Setting up special cally cleared. The word “nOnE” positions & problems will appear. POSITIONS Using the three techniques You’re ready to set up the Using the SETUP key, you tinue the game. above, you can easily relocate a kings in the new position. can also set up a problem you piece by chossing its square, (Notice that the SETUP key is want King Arthur to solve or a 9.2 Changing making it blank, and then choos- also the king key.) Press the sen- position you want to practice the color of a piece ing another square and setting sory board square on which one with King Arthur. Your LCD Press the SETUP key. Press up the piece once again. of the kings should stand. Push board display makes it easy to the key that shows the same This is another terrific feature the square until the king is the see the position and verify it as type of piece as the one that you that allows you to solve prob- proper color on your display. you’re setting it up. The whole want to change the color of. lems that you see in magazines Then press the square on which process takes only a minute. (The piece keys are located to or newspapers, or that you make the other king should stand; the left of the display.) On the 9.1 Removing a piece sensory board, then press the Using the above three techniques, you can Press the SETUP key. Then, square of the piece until it easily relocate a piece by choosing its square, on the large, sensory board, appears the right color on your press the square the piece is on display. Press CLEAR to con- making it blank, and then choosing another until the square on your display tinue. square and setting up the piece once again. is empty. Press CLEAR to con- 34 35 ENGLISH ENGLISH press it until the king is the cor- appears in the right color on rect color. (You won’t be permit- your display. KING ARTHUR ted to leave the SETUP mode Follow this procedure until all until both the White and Black the pieces in the problem or CHAPTER 10: king are placed.) position are completely set up. Next, pick out another piece in Make sure that King Arthur IMPORTANT TECHNICAL the problem or position you knows which color is to move— want to set up, and press the press CONTRAST (/) to DETAILS appropriate piece key to the left change the side to move. Finally, of the display. Then press the press CLEAR to play or to have 10.1 The ACL button 10.2 Special Care square on the sensory board King Arthur analyze the posi- King Arthur may occasionally Avoid rough handling such as where this piece should stand. tion. “freeze up” or refuse to function bumping or dropping. Press the square until the piece properly because of static elec- Avoid moisture and extreme tem- tric discharge. If this happens, peratures. Store away from win- dows and other direct sources of press the ALL CLEAR (ACL) heat and cold, such as heating, air button. vents or direct sunlight. For best To do this, turn King Arthur results, use between the tempera- upside-down so the battery com- tures of 39º and 100º Fahrenheit (4º and 38º Celsius). Nearly all operational problems are caused by incor- partment is on the upper right. Clean using only a slightly damp rectly registering moves! King Arthur can’t see your The ALL CLEAR button is recessed. You'll see a "dimple" cloth. Do not use cleaners with moves, he has to “feel” them. Remember—always follow the chemical agents. simple two-step toward the bottom right. It has a procedure: small hole in it. Gently push a ballpoint pen or a straightened 1. Push the FROM square; listen for paper clip into the hole and then the confirming, high-pitched beep. release. You'll again hear King 2. Push the TO square; listen for Arthur's ready tones. the confirming, high-pitched beep. SPECIAL NOTE: After you push If a low-pitched beep sounds, look carefully at the LCD and the ACL button, King Arthur will have follow the directions displayed to replace the illegally moved forgotten any game positions that may piece. Then make a legal move. have been in his memory.

36 37 ENGLISH ENGLISH 10.3 Battery Information 10.4 Limited One-Year LIMITED ONE-YEAR WARRANTY Warranty Any applicable implied warranties, Ship the unit carefully packed, prefer- CAUTION: BATTERIES EXCALIBUR ELECTRONICS, INC., war- including warranties of merchantability ably in the original carton, and send it SHOULD BE REMOVED and fitness, are hereby limited to 90 prepaid, and adequately insured. Include AND REPLACED BY rants to the original consumer that its prod- ucts are free from any electrical or mechan- DAYS from the date of purchase. a letter, detailing the complaint and ADULTS ONLY. ical defects for a period of ONE YEAR from Consequential or incidental damages including your daytime telephone num- King Arthur uses 3 AA bat- the date of purchase. If any such defect is resulting from a breach of any applica- ber, inside the shipping carton. teries, not included. discovered within the warranty period, ble express or implied warranties are Do not mix old and new EXCALIBUR ELECTRONICS, INC., will hereby excluded. Some states do not If your warranty has expired and you allow limitations on the duration of want an estimated fee for service, write batteries. repair or replace the unit free of charge upon receipt of the unit, shipped postage prepaid implied warranties and do not allow to the above address, specifying the Do not mix alkaline, stan- and insured to the factory address shown on exclusion of incidental or consequential model and the problem. dard (carbon-zinc) or the back page of this operating manual. damages, so the above limitations and rechargeable (nickel-cadmi- exclusions in these instances may not PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR um) batteries. The warranty covers normal consumer use apply. The only authorized service cen- UNIT WITHOUT RECEIVING AN and does not cover damage that occurs in ter in the United States is: ESTIMATE FOR SERVICING. WE Do not use rechargeable shipment or failure that results from alter- batteries. Excalibur Electronics, Inc. CANNOT STORE YOUR UNIT! ations, accident, misuse, abuse, neglect, 13755 SW 119th Ave To avoid explosion or leak- wear and tear, inadequate maintenance, Miami, Florida 33186 U.S.A. age, do not dispose of bat- commercial use, or unreasonable use of the teries in a fire or attempt to unit. Removal of the top panel voids all Phone: 305.477.8080 Fax: 305.477.9516 recharge standard or alka- warranties. This warranty does not cover line batteries. cost of repairs made or attempted outside of www.ExcaliburElectronics.com the factory. Be sure to insert batteries with the correct polarities (Warranty information is continued and always follow the toy on following page.) and battery manufacturers’ instructions. We make Remove batteries and store you think. them in a cool, dry place when not in use. Always remove old and dead batteries from the product. The supply terminals are not to be short-circuited.

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