NOVAG®

NOVAG®
Chinese Chess
Instruction
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
Short history
Movement of thé chess pièces
BASIC OPERATIONS
1. Making a move
2. Capturing a pièce
3. Impossible and illégal moves
4. Draw
5. Check, Mate and Checkmate
6. Error Indication
COMMAND KEYS and their uses
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
NEW GAME
CLEAR BOARD
LEVEL
SOUND
HINT
TAKEBACK
VERIFY
SETUP
CHANGECOLOR
GO
Starts new game
Remove ail pièces/Set Up
Set level of skill
Turns on/off sound
Shows move/Teaching Aid
Move corrections
Check board position
Set Up spécial board positions
Change sides/Set Up
Compute/Exit key
APPENDIX
A. Trouble shooting list
B. C a r e o f t h e N O V A G ® CHINESE CHESS
C. Technical data
NOTES:
Typographical conventions used in this manual
LED
The red lamps on thé right side (4), left side (10) and bottom
row (9) are referred to as LEDs
Point
Refers to thé intersections on thé chessboard
FROM point The first part of a move
TO
point The second part of a move, thé point to go to
Coordinates 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 HISTORY
Chinese Chess is an ancient game played in China and documented since thé
times of Confucius around 2000 BC. This makes it considerably older than ils
Western counterpart International Chess which is generally acknowledged to
hâve been invented around 600 AD somewhere in thé région between NorthWest India and Persia. The modem rules for Chinese Chess were finalized
during thé Sung Dynasty around 1000 AD.
The two games hâve gréât similarities and it will be easy for those who play
International Chess to learn this game quickly. The names of thé chess pièces
hâve been given their équivalents of thé corresponding Chinese characters to
enable easy référence to their type of movement but thèse names are not thé
standard because there is not yet an internationally accepted set of names for
them.
Movement and names of thé pièces
Some of thé chess pièces hâve différent looking Chinese characters but
actually they hâve exactly thé same meaning, and they are shown side by side
on thé keyboard.
Chess Pièce
Name
Range of movement
1 point verticaliy or horizontal only within thé confines of thé
box
SPECIAL RULE: Two gênerais may not face each other on an
open file. The side to move must not make this
illégal move.
Rook
Any number of moves verticalty or horizontally.
CailllOU
Although thé movement is thé saine as thé Rook this pièce
captures only if there is an mterposing pièce.
PaWfl
Pawns may only move 1 step forward while in own îerritory but
once they cross thé river boundary they may move forward and
sideways but never backwards.
Only along thé diagonals within thé box, tlierefore only 5 possible
points for this pièce.
Bishop
Two squares diagonally. only within own territory, never beyond
thé river boundary, May be obstructed by an intervening pièce.
7 possible points on thé board.
Cannot reach
point because
of obstruction
Knifjnt
Thèse 2
points cannot be
reached because
of obstruction
Each move eonsists of moving straight two points then 1 more
point left or right. May be obstructed if any pièce stands on thé
first point of thé move.
1. Making a move
Your NOVAG® CHINESE CHESS bas a sensor chessboard which
registers your moves automatically. The computer will indicate thé pièces
that it wish to move by lighting up thé leds that are thé coordjnates of
thé move, for example if thé C LED and thé 2 LED are lit this means thé
point C2 and in thé opening position this is thé left CANNON.
NOTE: You must make thé moves for thé computer by pressing lightly
on thé points indicated.
To make a move, press on thé pièce that you wish to move and you will
see thé LEDs on thé left side and bottom of thé board lighl up. To
complète your move lift thé pièce and put it down on thé point that you
wish to move to and press LIGHTLY. If this move is a légal move thé
computer will immediately consider its counter move and will flash thé
color LED. If thé computer does not accept your move it will beep 3
times.
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 FROM
point and thé LEDs will be switched off and you may enter
another move of your choice.
2. Capturinga pièce
If you capture a pièce simply remove it and place your own pièce on thé
point and press lightly to let thé computer know that you hâve
completed thé move.
If thé computer indicates a move onto a point occupied by your pièce
this means that it wishes to capture this pièce. Remove your pièce and
complète thé move for thé computer by pressing on that point.
3. Impossible and illégal moves
NOVAG® CHINESE CHESS is programmed according to thé mies and
does not accept nor make illégal moves. Correcting mistakes is very
simple and in rnost cases will not need your help in making any
adjustments.
If you press on a point which is not occupied by your pièce thé
coordinates will light up and thé computer will beep 3 times and turn off
thé coordinates. The computer has înformed you of your mistake but
does not need your assistance in making any corrections. If you are in
doubt you may verify thé position (see 13.).
If you attempt to move a pièce to a point which is illégal thé computer
will 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 wish
place your pièce on a légal point and piess that TO point.
NOTE: There are some complex attacking situations where thé
computer will play an impossible move, most likely Jl-JI (no
pièce on this point). To correct this problem please press Take
Back (error beeps) then set thé computer to a level higher than
6. Given enough time thé computer will play thé correct move.
4. Draw
Unlike International Chess there is no perpétuai check in Chinese Chess
as no more than 3 checks is allowed unless thé attacker can prove
checkmate in which case he is allowed to continue. Since thé General is
confined within a small block, perpétuai check is extremely easy, hence,
thé rules of Chinese Chess forbids perpétuai check. The computer will
always avoid checking more than 3 times and would rather play a losing
move rather than repeat, since thé game is lost anyway.
Chess pièce abbreviations: General - G, Minister - M, Bishop — B
Knight - K, Rook - R, Cannon - C, Pawn - P
Draw due to insufficient material is recognised by thé computer and it
will light thé draw LED after every move to let you know that thé game
is 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 attempting
to win until you are convinced that thé game cannot be won unless some
serious blunder is made by thé computer (which is possible at thé lowest
levels).
EXCEPTION TO THE RULE: A double perpétuai check is a draw.
5. CHECK, Mate and Checkmate
Check
- When thé computer makes a move that puts your General
in check thé Check LED will be Ht and you must move
your General out of check or block with a pièce. The
computer will not allow you to continue thé game while
in check.
Mate
There is no stalemate in Chinese Chess and if thé General
has no légal moves to make and no other moves are legally
possible then thé game is lost. This is definitely not a draw
situation and forms thé strategy for many endgame
victories. Only thé mate LED will be lit.
Checkmate - The end of thé game. The check and mate LEDs wil) be lit.
6. Error indication
Most 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 pièce
capturée 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 move
please remember to cancel by pressing again on thé previous FROM
point.
(iii)
improper exécution of a computer move by not pressing on thé
points as indicated. Please détermine carefully which point thé
computer is indicating and press correctly.
(iv)
Set Up errors (see 14.)
NOTE: In thé event of an error that you cannot correct please switch
off thé computer. Powering on will reset thé computer.
7. NEW G AME
This will reset thé board to thé starting position, please put thé pièces on
their respective starting positions. Note, however that thé level of skill
will be retained until thé computer is switched off or if changed to some
other level.
8. CLEAR BOARD
This is used while in SET UP mode (see 14.) to remove ail thé pièces so
that a new position may be created normally for thé purposes of playing
from a spécial position instead of from thé normal starting position.
9. LEVEL
Press this every time you wish to see or change thé level of skill. Each
successive press will incrément thé level 1 step higher until thé highest
selectable level which is level 10 and then a further press will return to
level 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 any
point on thé board corresponding to thé level that you wish set,
for example to sélect level 8 press H l .
Level
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
LED
A
A&B
A to C
A to D
A to E
A to F
AtoG
A to H
A toi
A to J
Average response times in seconds
3
10
20
40
60
90
120
180
255
(spécial level for Player/Player)
Level 10 is specially designed for you to enter moves into thé computer
for both sides. Some uses for this function are ;
(i)
Référée mode: two human players may play on thé board and thé
computer will check for errors/illegal moves. At any time you may
press GO and thé computer will compute for thé side to move but
only for 1 move.
(ii)
If you wish to play an opening variation that thé computer does
not know.'You may use this level to enter ail thé opening moves
into thé computer's memory and then continue thé game with thé
computer from thé end of thé theoretical opening Une. Remember
that if you leave thé computer on level 10 you will hâve to press
GO every time you want to thé computer to play, therefore you
should reset thé level to continue a normal game against thé
computer.
10. SOUND
To turn off thé sound press this key once. A second press will turn it
back on. NEW GAME key automatically sets thé sound back on again.
11. HINT
There are two display formats
WHEN COMPUTING : The coordinates of thé FROM and TO points are
flashed alternately to show you thé move being
considered best but will change this whenever a
better move has been found. This key acts as a
toggle (on/off switch).
NOT COMPUTING
: When thé computer is waiting for your move you
may called on thé computer for some assistance
in thé form of a move suggestion. The first press
of Hint will bring on thé FROM coordinates of
thé suggested move and thé second press will
display thé TO coordinates. A third press will
turn off thé Hint display.
12. TARE BACK
If you made a mistake or played a weak move you will hâve to wait until
thé computer has decided on its counter move before you retract your
move. You may interrupt thé computer and force it to play immediately
by pressing GO.
To take back a move, press TAKE BACK and thé coordinates of thé
former TO point will be displayed. Press this point and thé computer will
display thé FROM point. Put thé pièce back on this point and press
light. If thé move you took back was a computer's move then you will
hâve to repeat thé above procédure so that you can take back your own
move. When this is completed you may play another move of your
choice.
If thé move taken back was a capture thé computer will prompt you to
put back thé captured pièce by lighting up thé coordinates of thé former
TO point. You will hâve to put back thé pièce and press lightly on thé
point before you can carry on with thé game. If you forgot which pièce
it was you should still press on thé required point with your finger and
then use VERIFY (see 12.) to see which type of pièce should be on that
point.
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 thé
right of this key will be lit and you may begin verifying if thé board
position is correct.
Example: To check thé position of thé red GENERAL, check if thé
color LED is showing red then press thé GENERAL key and
you 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 thé
Green LED is lit then press thé PAWN key and you will see thé
coordinates of pawns and if in thé starting position thé G row
and columns 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 will ail be lit showing locations of
ail thé 5 Green pawns. If thé pawns were in différent
coordinates then each succesive press of thé PAWN KEY will
show a coordinate of 1 or more pawns if they are on same
row. If there are no pièces of thé type you selected thé error
LED will be lit accompanied by 3 beeps.
Using thé above procédures you may verify thé position of ail thé pièces
on 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 thé
same row they wi!l be displayed together (see above).
14. SETUP
To enter a new position, aller thé position of thé pièces or add some
pièces you will need to enter thé SET UP mode by pressing that key. The
LED on thé right of this key wili then be lit.
If thé position you wish to SET UP contains very few pièces it will be
advisable to clear thé entire board before following thé procédures below
to enter it into thé computer's memory. In this case press thé NEW
GAME/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)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Make sure thé Green LED is on
Press thé ROOK key
Place thé first ROOK on thé point B4 and press lightly.
Place thé second ROOK on C6 and press lightly.
When you hâve enter thé position you wish and wants Green to make thé
first move from your position^ make sure that thé Green LED is on
before you press thé GO key to enter thé position into thé computer's
memory.
NOTE: Illégal/impossible positions are not allowed and if you try to
exit to such a position thé computer will light up thé mate LED
and will not allow you to play from that position unless you go
back into thé SET UP to correct your error. Some examples of
impossible positions are; more than 2 kings, more than thé
normal number of pièces (32 pièces), only 1 king etc. Certain
"fixed" pièces like thé BISHOP may not be placed on an illégal
position and thé computer will not allow you to do so and will
beep you and light up thé error LED.
15. CHANGECOLOR
This key serves 4 functions
(i)
(ii)
At thé start of a new game you may if you wish make thé
computer play Red from thé top of thé board, so that you may
play thé green side from thé front of thé board. In this case, press
CHANGE COLOR then press GO and thé computer will make its
first move as Red but playing from thé top of thé board. For
example thé first move in thé Central Cannon opening variation
will be C8-CS if playing normally but if playing from thé top of thé
board would become H8-H5. Because thé board is symmetrical you
need not reverse thé colors but just imagine that it has been
reversed.
At any time during thé game you may "cheat" and make thé same
color 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. Of
course you are still not allowed to make illégal moves.
(iii) SET UP mode uses this key to change thé color for thé purposes of
settingup thé position for both sides.
(iv)
In thé VERIFY mode this key allows thé vérification of every
pièce 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 will
force it to play whichever move that it is currently analysing.Use
this 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)
(ii)
(iii)
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 any
other adaptor automatically invalidâtes thé warranty.
II
- Check thé operating voltage of your adaptor to see if it
matches your local power supply.
III
- Hâve you switch on thé power?
The computer will not let you make a move
I
- Is thé error LED on an/or thé computers beeps every time
you try to make a move? If so, check if you hâve cleared or
completed thé previous move.
II
- Is thé SET UP or VERIFY LEDs on? If so, press GO to exit.
Computer plays an impossible move please refer to paragraph 3 on
Impossible/Illégal Moves.
B. Care of thé NOVAG® CHINESE CHESS
Dirt or dust may be removed with a soft cloth. Do NOT use any chemical
solvents or water on thé set. Any damage caused by îheir use invalidâtes
thé warranty.
If you do NOT intend to use thé computer for an extended period please
remove thé batteries before putting away for storage.
C.
Technical data
Operating voltage
Current consumption
Read only memory
Random access memory
9 volts
15 mA maximum
8 Kbytes
256 bytes
AU data subject to change without notice
Copyright®! 986
NOVAG® INDUSTRIES LTD.
(R)
NOVAGr; is thé registered trademark for
NOVAG® INDUSTRIES LTD.
1103 Admiralty Centre, Tower 1
Hong Kong.
ART. NO.
866