Saitek Mephisto Touch Screen Travel Chess - Manual (Page 24)

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principal variation (the computer’s predicted line of play), displayed as
in
Ply1: b1-c3 . A “ply” is an individual move, or a move for either
side, and the computer’s search depth is described in terms of the
number of ply it looks ahead. On a two-ply search, for example, the
computer will look ahead two individual moves (one move for Black
and one for White). Note that this first ply display can also be used as
a hint, since this is the move the computer is expecting you to make.
If you check this display while the computer is thinking, you’ll see
the move the computer is currently considering. If you check it during
your turn, you’ll see the move the computer is expecting you to make
next. In either case, pressing
˘ repeatedly cycles through the rest of
the moves in the predicted line of play, up to four ply:
• Predicted line of play: Move 1
• Predicted line of play: Move 2
• Predicted line of play: Move 3
• Predicted line of play: Move 4
7.2 Search Information
After pressing HINT/INFO to access Info Mode, press it again to
see information about the computer’s search. The initial display will
show the current score; pressing
˘ repeatedly cycles through the rest
of the information:
• The current score: A numerical evaluation of the current position,
based on a pawn being worth 1.0 points; a positive number
indicates that White is ahead. Example: If White is winning by
two pawns, the display will show
Score: +2.0 . Note that the
score is not valid on the Problem Solving Levels.
• Two-part display: (a) The current search depth, or the number of
individual moves the computer is looking ahead. For example: If
the computer is looking ahead 439 individual moves, you’ll see
d:4 39 , with the d: standing for depth. (b) The move being
considered (if the computer is currently thinking).
• Two-part display: (a) The time used so far for the current move.
(b) The number of nodes, or positions, being searched per
second (if the computer is currently thinking).
7.3 Chess Clock Information
After pressing HINT/INFO to access Info Mode, press it two more
times to see chess clock information. The display will show the total
elapsed time for both sides. Notice that the chess clock symbol in the
middle portrays the current side to move and the type of clock in use.