NOVAG®Chinese Chess

Instruction

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION Short history

Movement of thé chess pièces

BASIC OPERATIONS

1. Making a move2. Capturing a pièce3. Impossible and illégal moves4. Draw5. Check, Mate and Checkmate6. Error Indication

COMMAND KEYS and their uses

Starts new gameRemove ail pièces/Set UpSet level of skillTurns on/off soundShows move/Teaching AidMove correctionsCheck board positionSet Up spécial board positionsChange sides/Set UpCompute/Exit key

CHINESE CHESS

7. NEW GAME8. CLEAR BOARD9. LEVEL

10. SOUND11. HINT12. TAKEBACK13. VERIFY14. SETUP15. CHANGECOLOR16. GO

APPENDIX

A. Trouble shooting listB. Careof theNOVAG®C. Technical data

NOTES:

Typographical conventions used in this manual

LED The red lamps on thé right side (4), left side (10) and bottomrow (9) are referred to as LEDs

Point Refers to thé intersections on thé chessboardFROM point The first part of a moveTO point The second part of a move, thé point to go toCoordinates Lit LEDs at thé side and bottom indicating a point e.g. C and

8 LEDs lit means point C8 on thé board.

Standard Openning Position

Green Side

Red Side

SHORT HISTORYChinese Chess is an ancient game played in China and documented since thétimes of Confucius around 2000 BC. This makes it considerably older than ilsWestern counterpart International Chess which is generally acknowledged tohâve been invented around 600 AD somewhere in thé région between North-West India and Persia. The modem rules for Chinese Chess were finalizedduring thé Sung Dynasty around 1000 AD.

The two games hâve gréât similarities and it will be easy for those who playInternational Chess to learn this game quickly. The names of thé chess pièceshâve been given their équivalents of thé corresponding Chinese characters toenable easy référence to their type of movement but thèse names are not théstandard because there is not yet an internationally accepted set of names forthem.

Movement and names of thé pièces

Some of thé chess pièces hâve différent looking Chinese characters butactually they hâve exactly thé same meaning, and they are shown side by sideon thé keyboard.

Chess Pièce Name Range of movement

1 point verticaliy or horizontal only within thé confines of thébox

SPECIAL RULE: Two gênerais may not face each other on anopen file. The side to move must not make thisillégal move.

Rook Any number of moves verticalty or horizontally.

Ca i l l lOU Although thé movement is thé saine as thé Rook this piècecaptures only if there is an mterposing pièce.

PaWfl Pawns may only move 1 step forward while in own îerritory butonce they cross thé river boundary they may move forward andsideways but never backwards.

Only along thé diagonals within thé box, tlierefore only 5 possiblepoints for this pièce.

Bishop Two squares diagonally. only within own territory, never beyondthé river boundary, May be obstructed by an intervening pièce.7 possible points on thé board.

Cannot reachpoint becauseof obstruction

Knifjnt Each move eonsists of moving straight two points then 1 morepoint left or right. May be obstructed if any pièce stands on théfirst point of thé move.

Thèse 2points cannot bereached becauseof obstruction

1. Making a moveYour NOVAG® CHINESE CHESS bas a sensor chessboard whichregisters your moves automatically. The computer will indicate thé piècesthat it wish to move by lighting up thé leds that are thé coordjnates ofthé move, for example if thé C LED and thé 2 LED are lit this means thépoint C2 and in thé opening position this is thé left CANNON.

NOTE: You must make thé moves for thé computer by pressing lightlyon thé points indicated.

To make a move, press on thé pièce that you wish to move and you willsee thé LEDs on thé left side and bottom of thé board lighl up. Tocomplète your move lift thé pièce and put it down on thé point that youwish to move to and press LIGHTLY. If this move is a légal move thécomputer will immediately consider its counter move and will flash thécolor LED. If thé computer does not accept your move it will beep 3times.

Each press is accompanied by a beep. (To turn this off see 10.)

NOTE: You may always cancel a move by pressing again on thé FROMpoint and thé LEDs will be switched off and you may enteranother move of your choice.

2. Capturinga pièceIf you capture a pièce simply remove it and place your own pièce on thépoint and press lightly to let thé computer know that you hâvecompleted thé move.

If thé computer indicates a move onto a point occupied by your piècethis means that it wishes to capture this pièce. Remove your pièce andcomplète thé move for thé computer by pressing on that point.

3. Impossible and illégal movesNOVAG® CHINESE CHESS is programmed according to thé mies anddoes not accept nor make illégal moves. Correcting mistakes is verysimple and in rnost cases will not need your help in making anyadjustments.

If you press on a point which is not occupied by your pièce thécoordinates will light up and thé computer will beep 3 times and turn offthé coordinates. The computer has înformed you of your mistake but

does not need your assistance in making any corrections. If you are indoubt you may verify thé position (see 13.).

If you attempt to move a pièce to a point which is illégal thé computerwill beep 3 Urnes and thé coordinates of your FROM point will remain lit.You may cancel this move by pressing on thé FROM point or if you wishplace your pièce on a légal point and piess that TO point.

NOTE: There are some complex attacking situations where thécomputer will play an impossible move, most likely Jl-JI (nopièce on this point). To correct this problem please press TakeBack (error beeps) then set thé computer to a level higher than6. Given enough time thé computer will play thé correct move.

4. DrawUnlike International Chess there is no perpétuai check in Chinese Chessas no more than 3 checks is allowed unless thé attacker can provecheckmate in which case he is allowed to continue. Since thé General isconfined within a small block, perpétuai check is extremely easy, hence,thé rules of Chinese Chess forbids perpétuai check. The computer willalways avoid checking more than 3 times and would rather play a losingmove rather than repeat, since thé game is lost anyway.

Chess pièce abbreviations: General - G, Minister - M, Bishop — BKnight - K, Rook - R, Cannon - C, Pawn - P

Draw due to insufficient material is recognised by thé computer and itwill light thé draw LED after every move to let you know that thé gameis theoretically drawn, some examples are R + G versus 2B + 2M + G, K +G versus 2B + G, 2C + G versus 2B + 2M + G, C + G versus 2M + G.

The computer will play out thé draw but you may continue at temptingto win until you are convinced that thé game cannot be won unless someserious blunder is made by thé computer (which is possible at thé lowestlevels).

EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: A double perpétuai check is a draw.

5. CHECK, Mate and CheckmateCheck - When thé computer makes a move that puts your General

in check thé Check LED will be Ht and you must moveyour General out of check or block with a pièce. Thecomputer will not allow you to continue thé game whilein check.

Mate There is no stalemate in Chinese Chess and if thé Generalhas no légal moves to make and no other moves are legallypossible then thé game is lost. This is definitely not a drawsituation and forms thé strategy for many endgamevictories. Only thé mate LED will be lit.

Checkmate - The end of thé game. The check and mate LEDs wil) be lit.

6. Error indicationMost errors are self correcting but you will be warned with 3 beeps.Errors that need your attention are;

(i) replacing a pièce after taking back a move. Please replace thé piècecapturée and press lightly.

(ii) making another move when you hâve not cancel a previous FROM.If you hâve pressed a point but wished to make another moveplease remember to cancel by pressing again on thé previous FROMpoint.

(iii) improper exécution of a computer move by not pressing on thépoints as indicated. Please détermine carefully which point thécomputer is indicating and press correctly.

(iv) Set Up errors (see 14.)

NOTE: In thé event of an error that you cannot correct please switchoff thé computer. Powering on will reset thé computer.

7. NEW G AMEThis will reset thé board to thé starting position, please put thé pièces ontheir respective starting positions. Note, however that thé level of skillwill be retained until thé computer is switched off or if changed to someother level.

8. CLEAR BOARDThis is used while in SET UP mode (see 14.) to remove ail thé pièces sothat a new position may be created normally for thé purposes of playingfrom a spécial position instead of from thé normal starting position.

9. LEVELPress this every time you wish to see or change thé level of skill. Eachsuccessive press will incrément thé level 1 step higher unt i l thé highestselectable level which is level 10 and then a further press will return tolevel 1 and so on. You must press GO to exit from thé level setting mode.

NOTE: An easier alternative method of selecting thé level is to press anypoint on thé board corresponding to thé level that you wish set,for example to sélect level 8 press Hl .

Level LED Average response times in seconds1 A 32 A&B 103 A to C 204 A to D 405 A to E 606 A to F 907 A t o G 1208 A to H 1809 A t o i 255

10 A to J (spécial level for Player/Player)

Level 10 is specially designed for you to enter moves into thé computerfor both sides. Some uses for this function are ;

(i) Référée mode: two human players may play on thé board and thécomputer will check for errors/illegal moves. At any time you maypress GO and thé computer will compute for thé side to move butonly for 1 move.

(ii) If you wish to play an opening variation that thé computer doesnot know.'You may use this level to enter ail thé opening movesinto thé computer's memory and then continue thé game with thécomputer from thé end of thé theoretical opening Une. Rememberthat if you leave thé computer on level 10 you will hâve to pressGO every time you want to thé computer to play, therefore youshould reset thé level to continue a normal game against thécomputer.

10. SOUNDTo turn off thé sound press this key once. A second press will turn itback on. NEW GAME key automatically sets thé sound back on again.

11. HINTThere are two display formats

WHEN COMPUTING : The coordinates of thé FROM and TO points areflashed alternately to show you thé move beingconsidered best but will change this whenever abetter move has been found. This key acts as atoggle (on/off switch).

NOT COMPUTING : When thé computer is waiting for your move youmay called on thé computer for some assistancein thé form of a move suggestion. The first pressof Hint will bring on thé FROM coordinates ofthé suggested move and thé second press willdisplay thé TO coordinates. A third press willturn off thé Hint display.

12. TARE BACKIf you made a mistake or played a weak move you will hâve to wait untilthé computer has decided on its counter move before you retract yourmove. You may interrupt thé computer and force it to play immediatelyby pressing GO.

To take back a move, press TAKE BACK and thé coordinates of théformer TO point will be displayed. Press this point and thé computer willdisplay thé FROM point. Put thé pièce back on this point and presslight. If thé move you took back was a computer's move then you willhâve to repeat thé above procédure so that you can take back your ownmove. When this is completed you may play another move of yourchoice.

If thé move taken back was a capture thé computer will prompt you toput back thé captured pièce by lighting up thé coordinates of thé formerTO point. You will hâve to put back thé pièce and press lightly on thépoint before you can carry on with thé game. If you forgot which pièceit was you should still press on thé required point with your finger andthen use VERIFY (see 12.) to see which type of pièce should be on thatpoint.

NOTE: The maximum number of moves that may be taken back is 5,counted for both sides.

13. VERIFY

To check if thé position is correct please press VERIFY. The LED to théright of this key will be lit and you may begin verifying if thé boardposition is correct.

Example: To check thé position of thé red GENERAL, check if thécolor LED is showing red then press thé GENERAL key andyou wifl see thé coordinates of thé red GENERAL displayed.If in thé starting position this will be thé AS point.

Example: To check thé position of green pawns, make sure that théGreen LED is lit then press thé PAWN key and you will see thécoordinates of pawns and if in thé starting position thé G rowand columns 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will ail be lit showing locations ofail thé 5 Green pawns. If thé pawns were in différentcoordinates then each succesive press of thé PAWN KEY willshow a coordinate of 1 or more pawns if they are on samerow. If there are no pièces of thé type you selected thé errorLED will be lit accompanied by 3 beeps.

Using thé above procédures you may verify thé position of ail thé pièceson thé board. You must press GO to exit thé VERIFY mode.

NOTE: If 2 or more pièces of thé same type (e.g. bishops) are on thésame row they wi!l be displayed together (see above).

14. SETUP

To enter a new position, aller thé position of thé pièces or add somepièces you will need to enter thé SET UP mode by pressing that key. TheLED on thé right of this key wili then be lit.

If thé position you wish to SET UP contains very few pièces it will beadvisable to clear thé entire board before following thé procédures belowto enter it into thé computer's memory. In this case press thé NEWGAME/CLEAR BOARD key.You may change thé colors simply by pressing CHANGE COLOR.

Example: To enter a red GENERAL on thé coordinate AS

(i) Make sure that thé Red LED is on(ii) Press thé GENERAL key(iii) Place thé pièce on thé point AS and press lightly.

Example: To enter 2 Green ROOKs on B4 and C6

(i) Make sure thé Green LED is on(ii) Press thé ROOK key(iii) Place thé first ROOK on thé point B4 and press lightly.(iv) Place thé second ROOK on C6 and press lightly.

When you hâve enter thé position you wish and wants Green to make théfirst move from your position^ make sure that thé Green LED is onbefore you press thé GO key to enter thé position into thé computer'smemory.

NOTE: Illégal/impossible positions are not allowed and if you try toexit to such a position thé computer will light up thé mate LEDand will not allow you to play from that position unless you goback into thé SET UP to correct your error. Some examples ofimpossible positions are; more than 2 kings, more than thénormal number of pièces (32 pièces), only 1 king etc. Certain"fixed" pièces like thé BISHOP may not be placed on an illégalposition and thé computer will not allow you to do so and willbeep you and light up thé error LED.

15. CHANGECOLORThis key serves 4 functions

(i) At thé start of a new game you may if you wish make thécomputer play Red from thé top of thé board, so that you mayplay thé green side from thé front of thé board. In this case, pressCHANGE COLOR then press GO and thé computer will make itsfirst move as Red but playing from thé top of thé board. Forexample thé first move in thé Central Cannon opening variationwill be C8-CS if playing normally but if playing from thé top of théboard would become H8-H5. Because thé board is symmetrical youneed not reverse thé colors but just imagine that it has beenreversed.

(ii) At any time during thé game you may "cheat" and make thé samecolor play again! If it is Red to move you may press CHANGE

COLOR and thé computer will allow Green to make another move.Take care if you are taking back moves in this sort of situation. Ofcourse you are still not allowed to make illégal moves.

(iii) SET UP mode uses this key to change thé color for thé purposes ofsettingup thé position for both sides.

(iv) In thé VERIFY mode this key allows thé vérification of everypièce on thé board.

16. GO

This key has 3 functions

(i) Calls on thé computer to start Computing.

(ii) If pressed while thé computer is considering ils move, this willforce it to play whichever move that it is currently analysing.Usethis to interrupt thé computer if you cannot wait for its reply.

(iii) Exits from thé SET UP and thé VERIFY modes.

A. TROUBLE SHOOTING LIST(i) The computer does not work and none of thé LEDs are lit

I - Check thé adaptor, is it thé correct type?Use ONLY thé specified adaptor Art. 8210. The use of anyother adaptor automatically invalidâtes thé warranty.

II - Check thé operating voltage of your adaptor to see if itmatches your local power supply.

III - Hâve you switch on thé power?

(ii) The computer will not let you make a move

I - Is thé error LED on an/or thé computers beeps every timeyou try to make a move? If so, check if you hâve cleared orcompleted thé previous move.

II - Is thé SET UP or VERIFY LEDs on? If so, press GO to exit.

(iii) Computer plays an impossible move please refer to paragraph 3 onImpossible/Illégal Moves.

B. Care of thé NOVAG® CHINESE CHESSDirt or dust may be removed with a soft cloth. Do NOT use any chemicalsolvents or water on thé set. Any damage caused by îheir use invalidâtesthé warranty.

If you do NOT intend to use thé computer for an extended period pleaseremove thé batteries before putting away for storage.

C. Technical dataOperating voltage 9 voltsCurrent consumption 15 mA maximumRead only memory 8 KbytesRandom access memory 256 bytes

AU data subject to change without notice

Copyright®! 986NOVAG® INDUSTRIES LTD.

(R)NOVAGr; is thé registered trademark forNOVAG® INDUSTRIES LTD.1103 Admiralty Centre, Tower 1Hong Kong.

ART. NO.866