Atari FLASHBACK2 CX-2600 - Manual (Page 86)

Difficulty Switches
Right Difficulty Switch: In the "A" position the computer plays the white pieces, and moves first. In
the"B" position you play the white pieces and move first. The color of the number at the top of the playfield
(also denoting skill level) will tell you which color you're playing. If it is white for example, you're playing
the white pieces.
Left Difficulty Switch: In the "A" position this switch allows you to set up the board any way you
want for a particular problem or situation. Move the cursor to the square where you wish to place a
particular piece. Each time you press the red controller button, the computer puts a different piece on that
square, starting with the computer's king and cycling through the player's pawn. When you have placed the
piece you want on the board, move the cursor to the next position and repeat the process.
Controls
Use the Joystick Controller to move your pieces around the board. Move the cursor (the flashing X) to
the piece you wish to move and push the red controller button. That piece will begin to flash and you may
then move it in any direction. To release the piece, push the red controller button again.
IF YOUR ATTEMPT TO MAKE AN ILLEGAL MOVE, THE COMPUTER WILL MAKE A
WARNING SOUND AND WILL DISALLOW THE MOVE.
After you have made your move, the cursor will appear in the square from which you moved and the
piece you moved will continue to flash for a moment until the computer starts to "think" its move. When
the computer shows its move, the cursor will be shown in the square from which the piece was moved.
The computer always plays the pieces at the top of the screen, you always play the pieces at the
bottom of the screen. In some cases, the computer will play the white pieces (from the top of the screen)
and will move first.
To remove a piece from the board, place the cursor over that piece and cycle through past the player's
pawn. An X will appear and that piece will be removed from the board. When you have the board set up the
way you want it, set the left difficulty switch in the b position and begin play. At this point you must move
first, whether or not the right difficulty switch is in the "A" or "B" position.
Skill Levels
There are seven progressively more difficult skill levels (Levels 1 through 7) in Video ChessTM and
one level for beginners (Level 8). As the levels increase from 1 to 7, the computer will take longer to
compute its next move. The times listed below for each Skill Level are an average, since the length of time
will depend on the complexity of the board and the level chosen. Level 8 is an excellent game for beginners
to learn the moves, as well as some of the strategies of the game.
Level 1 - 15 seconds Level 5 - 3 min., 15 sec.
Level 2 - 30 seconds Level 6 - 12 minutes
Level 3 - 45 seconds Level 7 - 10 hours
Level 4 - 2 min., 45 sec. Level 8 - 10 seconds
NOTE: Length of time on some of the above Skill Levels may vary.
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