DGT REVELATION II User manual

USER MANUAL
REVELATION II
THE ULTIMATE CHESS PLAYING EXPERIENCE

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Table of Contents.
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................3
Contents of the box ..................................................................................................................4
Handling and Maintenance .......................................................................................................4
Quality......................................................................................................................................4
Modes of usage.........................................................................................................................4
Quick Start ....................................................................................................................................5
General.....................................................................................................................................5
Starting up the system ..............................................................................................................5
Powering down the system.......................................................................................................5
Moving the pieces.....................................................................................................................6
LED information ........................................................................................................................6
Taking back the pieces ..............................................................................................................7
Auto new game.........................................................................................................................7
Information and settings...............................................................................................................8
The display................................................................................................................................8
Menu pages ..............................................................................................................................9
Basic Options...............................................................................................................................10
Basic option: ‘NEW GAME’......................................................................................................10
Basic option: ‘SETUP BOARD’..................................................................................................10
Basic option: ‘TAKEBACK’........................................................................................................11
Basic option: ‘LEVEL’...............................................................................................................11
Basic option: ‘ANALYZE’..........................................................................................................12
Basic option: ‘OPTIONS’..........................................................................................................12
Extended Options........................................................................................................................12
Extended Option: ‘SAVE GAME’...............................................................................................12
Extended Option: ‘SHOW GAME’............................................................................................12
Extended Option: ‘SAVE CURRENT’.........................................................................................13
Extended Option: ‘CHANGE LEVEL’..........................................................................................13
Extended Option: ‘ALL MOVES’...............................................................................................13
Extended Option: ‘SAVE LEVELS’.............................................................................................14
Extended Option: ‘SOUND’......................................................................................................14
Extended Option: ‘REVERSE BOARD’.......................................................................................14
Extended Option: ‘ENGINE’.....................................................................................................15
Extended Option: ‘ENGINE SPEED’..........................................................................................15
Extended Option: ‘ENGINE OPTIONS’......................................................................................15
Extended Option: ‘EXTRA BOOK’.............................................................................................17
Extended Option: ‘SELECT BOOK’............................................................................................17
Extended Option: ‘LANGUAGE’................................................................................................17
Extended Option: ‘SELECT VERSION’.......................................................................................18
Extended Option: ‘EXTRA’.......................................................................................................18
Extended Option: ‘BLUETOOTH STATUS’.................................................................................18
Extended Option: ‘NAME AND SERIAL NUMBER’.....................................................................19
Revelation UCI Server..................................................................................................................19
Introduction to Revelation UCI Server .....................................................................................19
Appendix 1, Setting up a Bluetooth connection in Windows 7 or 8.............................................21
Appendix 2, Revelation II in Bluetooth e-Board modus...............................................................26
Use the Revelation II to play against human opponents on the internet..................................26
Installing the driver (RabbitPlugin) ..........................................................................................26
Appendix 3, Updating the file system of a Revelation II..............................................................29
Step 1: Install the Revelation UCI Server software on your Windows computer.......................29
Step 2: Set the options in the Revelation UCI Server................................................................29
Step 3: Connect the Revelation II to the UCI server .................................................................30
Warranty conditions ...................................................................................................................32
Specifications ..............................................................................................................................33

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Introduction
Dear DGT Computer Chess Friend,
Congratulations with your purchase of one of the most sophisticated chess computer systems in the
world. Revelation II is a state of the art chess computer made in traditional wooden style and
designed for your ultimate chess playing experience.
Revelation II is developed and produced by a joint venture of Phoenix Chess Systems and Digital
Game Technology in the Netherlands. The wooden board is made in Spain by the famous chess board
manufacturer Rechapados Ferrer and is equipped with individual piece recognition and inlaid LED
lights to indicate the computer moves.
Multiple super strong commercial and freeware chess engines are included giving you great diversity
in computerized chess play at ELO levels up to 2800 and above. Benefit from future engine releases,
freeware engines, firmware updates and our full warranty service by registering your product on the
Revelation II website www.revelationII.com.
Revelation II lets you play against the world’s strongest chess engines including many World
Champions. In addition it has many other features that will greatly enhance your chess playing
experience:
- Analyze your games with the aid of famous world class chess engines
- World Champions from the past: Emulate 1980’s and 1990’s Retro Engines (optional)
- Play against internet opponents on web based internet chess platforms
- Broadcast your own games live via the internet
Thanks for choosing Revelation II. We wish you many challenging and fun filled hours of chess!

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Contents of the box
In the box you will find these items:
·The Revelation II chess computer
·A power adapter
·A custom made canvas bag with a protection cloth bag for the board
·A set of 34 electronic DGT chess pieces including two queens for each color
·The Revelation II manual
Handling and Maintenance
To ensure optimal functioning, please keep away from large (plasma) televisions, electrical power
devices, electrical signals and metal objects when the system is in operation as it may interfere with
the sensor board. If the Revelation II is having problems with the piece recognition, please check that
the table does not have a large metallic base or consists of large metallic elements.
Leaving the board and pieces exposed to daylight for longer periods of time may cause discoloration
of the board, particularly underneath the pieces. After use please store the board and pieces in the
supplied protection cloth bag and preferably in the canvas storage bag as well. The cloth bag protects
the Revelation II board itself and protects against the Velcro fasteners to stop them from damaging
the side stands and board surface.
We advise to use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to clean Revelation II. Avoid aggressive cleaning
solutions and only use cleaning solutions which are suited for lacquered wood surfaces. Cleaning of
the metallic front plate and the display should be done with cleaning solutions designed for
television screens or laptop screens.
Quality
This unique product is made from different materials all specifically selected to obtain the highest
quality. The board and side stands are (partially) handmade from natural wood or veneer and may
show small imperfections. The wooden chess pieces are handmade and may slightly differ in model
from advertised images and can also contain small imperfections. These imperfections are part of the
material handling and manufacturing process and as such cannot be avoided completely.
Modes of usage
The Revelation II is a versatile chess product and has some different usages:
1. Normal usage: The Revelation II starts up in normal play mode. In this mode you can play
against engines that are standard included in the Revelation II. This is also the strongest
playing mode as the native onboard engines can reach high ELO levels up to 2800.
2. DGT Bluetooth e-Board usage: The Revelation II starts up in a mode where the Revelation II
behaves like a DGT Bluetooth e-Board. For this usage you should install the drivers on your
Windows PC. This mode starts after holding just before the right LED below square H1
lights up until the system is completely started.
3. Emulation mode: If you have acquired this additional feature you can play against
emulations of the world championship winners during the 80's and 90's of the past century.
A separate manual can be downloaded for this on www.revelationII.com.This mode starts
after holding just before the right below square H1 lights up until the system is
completely started.

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Quick Start
General
Making moves on Revelation II is done by moving the chess pieces on the sensor board. The LEDs
indicate the move made by the computer by lighting up squares. To operate Revelation II there are 6
keys. With the menu system on the display you can control all functions of Revelation II with the 6
keys. Revelation II has a permanent memory that can save most user data even if the system is
switched off. Different sounds can indicate different events. The sound can also be switched on or
off.
Revelation II is supplied with a customized canvas bag to store Revelation II, the chess pieces and the
power supply. A cloth bag is included for extra protection of the Revelation II itself.
Starting up the system
Power is provided by a regulated 12 Volts power adapter. It is strongly recommended to only use the
provided adapter. For power outlets that are used in other countries there is a pin converter present.
The adapter accepts mains voltages from 110 –240 Volts.
Revelation II will start up automatically when the power connector is inserted. The system shows all
81 LEDs very brief in sequence as a test and will then show the Revelation II splash screen.
Revelation II then will show the lower line of LEDs to indicate different stages of starting. The LED
right below squareh1 indicates that the system has started in a correct manner.
Revelation II will then show you the starting screen for game playing.
Note: The version number may be different after an update of the software.
After placing the chess pieces in the starting position (as indicated on the miniature board in the
display) you can immediately make your first move and start playing.
Powering down the system
You can switch off Revelation II by pressing and simultaneously holding these two keys
for 2 - 3 seconds after which the system will shut down to standby. The display is dimmed and the
LED left below square A1 indicates that the system has shut down.
Revelation II will start up again from this situation if you press and hold during 1 -2 seconds.
If you press and during 2 seconds and the LED in the bottom left corner is the only one
that lights up, then you can safely disconnect the power connector.

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Moving the pieces
The board contains the DGT piece recognition technology. This means that the Revelation II 'knows'
which piece is on which square.
LED information
The LEDS can make different patterns around one or more squares. The table below explains the
various patterns:
4 corners of a square flashing quickly
.
A piece is expected on this
square
. M
ove or place
the correct piece to that square. The display will
indicate which piece should be placed.
4 corners of 2 squares flashing quickly
.
The piece that is standing on one of the flashing
squares should be moved to the other flashing
square.
2 occupied
squares
flash
but
one quicker
than the other.
The piece on the slower flashing square is
captured by the other.
2 Opposite corners of a square flash
alternating in a cross like pattern.
A piece is occupying this square but a piece of an
incorrect nature is placed.
If sound is enabled you can hear the following sound patterns:
short beep
The computer makes a move
.
short beep
The user plays a legal move
.
short double beep like “di
-
dah”
The users plays an illegal move
.
short double beep
like “dah
-
di”
The user plays the expected move
.
It is not required that you actually move the piece of the opponent before making your next move.
You can move the pieces of the opponent at any moment that is convenient to you. The lights on the
board will keep blinking until all pieces are on their expected (destination) squares. You may check
this by comparing the actual position on the board with the position on the display.
Of course you can only make your next move after the opponent has decided which move to make.
In other words you cannot play more than one move at the time.
To become acquainted with the Revelation II chess computer you can play some games without
changing any settings. The standard engine is chosen and the computer will use 15 seconds average
thinking time per move.
Please take care when placing the pieces accurately on the squares. The sensor board may not
recognize a piece if it is partly outside a square. If an illegal move is played, Revelation II will not
execute the move but will show the fast LED pattern to indicate the move should be taken back.
Capturing pieces can be performed in different ways. It is advised to first remove the piece you are
capturing and then perform your move. If Revelation II captures one of your pieces you can use the
same method. If handling of the pieces is done in the wrong sequence or too fast for Revelation II to
'understand' what the player is intending, then place all the pieces as indicated in the display. From
this position you can continue your game.
Remember that the display shows the position that the engine has calculated. If you did not move all
pieces correctly there may be differences between the position in the display and the position on the

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actual board. If you see LED patterns that you cannot explain, please match the real board with the
internal board as shown in the display.
Taking back the pieces
Revelation II allows you to take back moves, but only after the computer has made its move. First
await the computers move. Then place the piece that the computer wants to move on the
destination square. Then put it back on its source square. The display will then indicate TAKEBACK
Active.
This picture below shows that Nc3 can be taken back to b1:
The LEDs in the board will now indicate your last move. You can then put your piece on the original
square. Next the LEDs will indicate the previous move made by the computer that you can then take
back and so on.
The last piece you take back should be your own. Then press the button. The display will show
“TAKEBACK Not Active”and you can play your next move.
If you decide not to take back your own move as the last action, then you should press to
indicate that the computer should make the next move. You can also activate TAKE BACK in the
menu structure, see “Basic option: ‘TAKEBACK’” on page 11 for more detail.
Auto new game
When you place all the pieces in the initial position, Revelation II will assume you want to start a new
game and you can play white. When you place the black pieces and white pieces in reverse position,
Revelation II will assume you want to start a new game in reverse position. You can then play with
black.

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Please be advised that when you build this position from specific positions, you can inadvertently go
into take back modus. For example if the game was e2e4 and e7e5 and you place back the pawn on
e5 to e7 and then e4 to e2, the system will be in take back mode. You have to press the button
to leave this mode. The system then will perform the auto new game function.
Information and settings
There are 6 keys on the front panel. From left to right they are called , , , , and
. Same key notation will be used in this manual.
The keys react after 0.1 second. Do not push and release them too quickly. If you press and hold one
of the keys, you will get a repeating function. After holding a key for 3 seconds the rate of repeat will
increase.
The and keys will select another menu item.
In general is for a “Yes”or “True”and is for a “No”or a “False”.
The and keys are not circular. When you see “True”or “Yes”you can only use to change the
option into “No”or “False”.
In playing modus with the information screen visible (the last move is shown), you can force the
computer to start calculating the next move for the side whose turn it is to play. This means that the
computer also can calculate the next move for the human player. This is done by pressing the
button once. When you press again the best move, calculated until then, will be indicated.
When the computer is calculating its next move, you can press to force the Revelation II to
move immediately. It will play the move that is evaluated as the best at that moment.
When you press in the thinking time of the human player the sides will be swapped.
The display
The left side of the display shows a chess board with the position of the pieces that is used by the
computers chess engine. When the physical chess pieces are not moved correctly the position on the
display may not be the same as the position on the Revelation II board. Blinking LEDS on the board
will indicate the differences.
In the display the solid light chess pieces represent the white chess pieces on the board and the open
darker pieces in the display represent the black pieces on the board.
The first two top lines on the display present general information. In below picture the first line
indicates the move by the computer. The second line shows a hint for the player. You can switch off
this hint information if you wish. (See Extended Option: ‘ENGINE OPTIONS’on page 15 )

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Lines 3, 4 and 5 give information about the engine in 2 blocks ( see segments circled in yellow). The
left block shows the current variation under investigation. In brackets is shown the expected move by
the human player (d2d3) followed by the moves calculated by the computer.
In the right hand block the best move for the current evaluation is shown (calculation in progress). In
this example the computer calculates the evaluation is 0.40 (1 pawn equivalent = 1.00). This means
the computer values the position favorable for the human. A negative value means a disadvantage
for the computer.
The next line of the right block shows the move that is now under investigation (e8g8) and that this is
the first move investigated in depth 11. The number 11 is the depth in half plies which were
completely investigated. The number 30 indicates that the engine has also searched 30 half plies
deep for specific positions (mostly capturing variations).
The 3rd line of the right hand block shows the total number of evaluated variations / nodes per
seconds and also the evaluated variations / nodes from the actual move. If a K is added, it means that
the number is in multiples of 1,000 nodes. So 2370K means 2 million 370 thousand positions have
been searched in total. Same applies to M for multiples of 1,000,000 nodes. The smaller number
0119K signifies the average number of investigated positions per second was 119000 variations.
You can hide the information about the engine by pressing or . The display does not show
relevant thinking information. You can play without seeing what the computer is currently
calculating.
The large digits at the bottom of the display show the elapsed thinking time for the player with the
white pieces on the left and the elapsed thinking time for the player with the black pieces on the
right. These digits will always count up.
Menu pages
Revelation II has a circular menu which is divided in two parts / levels. The first menu pages are the
basic options. They are used most frequently. By enabling Options you can extend to all menu pages
and will enable you to set extend options as well.
By default the extended options are NOT enabled. You can enable them by using the last Basic
Option: “OPTIONS”and set this to “Yes”.
With and you can jump through the menu pages where you can use the basic options and, if
enabled, the extended options. In effect the first menu page is the information display itself so if you
walk through the options with or . At the end you will again arrive at the information display.

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Basic Options
Basic option: ‘NEW GAME’
By pressing in this menu you will force a new game. The board on the display will show the
(normal) starting position. You have to set up your pieces in accordance with situation in the display.
Pressing will take you back to the playing mode of the current game.
Basic option: ‘SETUP BOARD’
In this mode you can setup a new position on the board with the pieces. After pressing the
button, Revelation II will scan the board and the board will recognize the position and nature of the
pieces.
Important: The color of the piece that is last recognized by the board is the color that must make the
first move after leaving setup. Because in most cases the last piece that is recognized is a black piece.
You have to lift a white piece and put it back before you press . The display will show the name
of the last piece that is lifted, and will light up all squares that have an identical piece on it. If done
correctly you can make the first move with white.
When is pressed the system will show the position on the display, you will be back in playing
mode and you can start playing. By default the white pieces move from the bottom to the top. You
can change this with the ‘REVERSE BOARD’command that is described in this manual on page14.
If you press you can indicate that the setup is reverse. This means black plays from the
bottom rows.