DGT Pi User manual

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USER MANUAL
Note: This manual may also be available in other languages at:
www.digitalgametechology.com
MA_ENG_CHESSCOMP_User Manual DGT Pi_Rev 1610
© Copyright 2016 Digital Game Technology BV
DGT Hengelosestraat 66 7514 AJ Enschede The Netherlands
www.digitalgametechnology.com

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Introduction .......................................................................................................................................3
Contents of the box ...........................................................................................................................4
Battery ..........................................................................................................................................4
Performance .................................................................................................................................4
Using DGT Pi with your DGT e-Board .................................................................................................4
USB or Bluetooth connection? ...........................................................................................................5
Starting DGT Pi...................................................................................................................................5
Playing a game against a DGT Pi engine .............................................................................................6
Playing and training modes ...........................................................................................................6
Position modes.............................................................................................................................. 7
Time Modes ..................................................................................................................................8
Book Modes ..................................................................................................................................8
Engine options...............................................................................................................................8
System options..............................................................................................................................9
Setting up a game ..............................................................................................................................9
Game settings using the menu buttons (easy) / extra queens (fast)..............................................9
“Easy method” using the DGT Pi menu buttons ..........................................................................10
Menu structure for the easy method .......................................................................................... 10
Menu button functions during a game........................................................................................ 13
“Fast method” using the extra queens ........................................................................................ 14
Selecting a playing mode............................................................................................................. 14
Selecting a time control............................................................................................................... 14
Selecting a level........................................................................................................................... 15
Selecting an opening book .......................................................................................................... 16
Selecting an engine ..................................................................................................................... 16
Using DGT Pi as a regular DGT3000 clock .........................................................................................17
Software update or re-installation of DGT Pi software.....................................................................17
Copying a (new) DGT Pi software image onto the SD Card (Windows) ........................................ 17
Copying a (new) DGT Pi software image onto the SD Card (Mac OS X)........................................18
Open source software......................................................................................................................19
Thanks to the contributors...............................................................................................................19
Warranty conditions ........................................................................................................................19
Technical specifications ...................................................................................................................20
Hardware disclaimer ........................................................................................................................20
Appendix: Installed DGT Chess Engines............................................................................................21

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Introduction
Congratulations on your purchase of DGT Pi, the world’s only all-in-one programmable chess
computer and integrated chess clock that turns your USB or Bluetooth DGT e-Board into your best
sparring partner. Connected together, the e-Board and DGT Pi offer a unique way to play chess, to
train and to analyze games and positions, using a real chess board and pieces.
Multiple chess engines are included that run on a Raspberry Pi computer hardware system built
into the most advanced chess clock available, the DGT3000. Many different game settings and
playing levels can be selected. The display guides you through the menu settings and informs you
during the game, showing clock times, game moves and hints.
To start a game, simply connect DGT Pi to your DGT e-Board and place all the pieces in the starting
position. Then just make your first move to start a game. During thinking time, the display shows a
countdown timer. When DGT Pi calculated its next move this move will be shown on the display.
Now make the computer move on the e-Board and it will again be your turn to move. There is no
need to press the clock’s lever after each move as you would to in a regular chess game and the
countdown clock automatically switches sides when a move is made on the e-Board. Pressing the
lever during a game will result in a change of colors allowing you to switch from playing with the
white pieces to playing with the black pieces and vice versa.
DGT Pi can also be used as a DGT3000 chess clock only. Consult the separate DGT3000 manual for
instructions. Two batteries (included) should be installed at all times even when the device is used
as a chess computer and the external power adapter is connected. When using DGT Pi as a chess
clock it is not necessary to connect the power adapter.
The purpose of this manual is to explain the functionality of the dedicated DGT Pi chess computer.
It describes how to connect DGT Pi to your DGT e-Board and explains how to pre-define settings
and set-up your chess games. You can use DGT Pi for training purposes or experience great chess
games against a range of different chess engines with competitive ELO ratings. It is also a valuable
self-teaching tool for beginners.
This manual is based on the DGT Pi PicoChess software version 0.75. Free upgrades of implemented
features and supported engines will be made available from time to time and such future software
versions and new features may not be covered by this manual. Within this context, also read the
disclaimer at the end of this manual. For future software and manual updates, please regularly
check our website www.digitalgametechnology.com or register for our mailings through the page
product registration on our website.

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Contents of the box
Following items are included in the gift box:
1. DGT Pi chess computer
2. Auto range 5 Volt power adapter with micro USB connection
3. Micro SD card (already inserted into the SD slot in the DGT Pi)
4. Micro SD card adapter
5. Battery set (2 x AA)
6. Manual DGT3000 (6 languages)
7. Manual DGT Pi (5 languages)
8. Power adapter for Euro, USA and UK
9. USB cable
Should any of the above items be missing or defective, please contact your retailer.
Battery
The clock and menu functions of the DGT Pi operate on two AA batteries that can be easily
(re)placed by removing the screw of the battery lid at the bottom. Place both batteries according
the markings on the bottom of the battery compartment. It is recommended removing the
batteries when the device is not used for longer periods to avoid possible damage caused by a
leaking battery. When the battery symbol is shown on the display, the DGT Pi can still be
used for several long games though it is recommended to replace the batteries for new ones.
Important:
•The batteries included are non-rechargeable and should not be recharged.
•Do not use rechargeable batteries in this product.
•Place the batteries in the battery compartment with the correct polarity.
•A dead battery should be removed from the product immediately.
•Never short circuit a battery.
Performance
This DGT Pi version is based on the Raspberry Pi 3 hardware which has a built-in Bluetooth and Wi-
Fi functionality. This product does not require additional dongles and is really fit for this purpose.
The power supply is a 2 Ampere 5 Volt version to be connected to the DGT Pi via the micro USB
connector at the rear-side.
Using DGT Pi with your DGT e-Board
DGT Pi is exclusively designed to be used in combination with a DGT e-Board. You will enjoy the
look and feel of playing with a real (wooden) DGT chess board. DGT has various e-Board options

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and electronic chess pieces to suit your personal preferences. Moves performed on the e-Board are
verified by the electronic detection hardware inside the board.
DGT Pi can be connected with a USB e-Board using the USB cable (included).
To connect DGT Pi with a Bluetooth e-Board there are two options:
Wired: via the USB cable (included)
Wireless: via a Bluetooth connection (DGT Pi has a built-in Bluetooth wireless transmitter)
USB or Bluetooth connection?
The four USB ports are hidden behind the bottom lid on the left side of the DGT Pi. This lid can
easily be removed by pressing on the bottom side marking and simultaneously moving the lid side
wards. Use the supplied USB cable and connect it between the mini USB connector on the DGT e-
Board and one of the free USB ports of the DGT Pi.
DGT Pi has a built-in Bluetooth transmitter which allows you to connect the DGT Pi to a DGT
Bluetooth e-Board via a wireless Bluetooth connection. To use your Bluetooth e-Board with DGT Pi
please make sure the board is switched on. After powering up DGT Pi it will start searching for a
DGT Bluetooth e-Board and automatically connect to it if the board is free to use. Do note that the
Bluetooth e-Board itself will not be charged when connected via Bluetooth only and the board may
switch off during a game if its internal battery runs out of power. To prevent this from happening
we recommend to always connect your Bluetooth e-Board using the provided USB cable. If you do
not wish to use the USB cable please ensure the battery in your Bluetooth e-Board is fully charged.
Starting DGT Pi
Power up DGT Pi by connecting the power adapter to the micro USB connection at the back of the
DGT Pi and place the AC outlet socket in a free AC wall outlet. Adapters for various international
power sockets are included. It is also possible to use an external powerbank (not included).
The DGT Pi and the display functions will start automatically and it is not required to start DGT Pi by
pressing the bottom power switch. After starting DGT Pi its display shows the currently pre-set
clock times and is ready for a game as set by default or as set by you in a previous game. You can
now change the settings using the extra queens or the menu buttons.
Description of the DGT Pi start-up process:
1. Once the power adapter is connected, DGT Pi will respond with the start-up message: “DGT
Pi”followed by “PicoChess” + Software version.
2. The reboot process for the Raspberry Pi computer may take up to 30 seconds.
3. The DGT Pi will display “no e-Board” and start searching for a DGT e-Board followed by:

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a) The message “BT” + the e-Board serial number when connected to a Bluetooth e-Board.
b) The message “USB e-Board” when already connected to a USB e-Board.
4. If a connection cannot be established, DGT Pi will continue to search for any nearby e-Board.
The message ‘’no e-Board’’ will be shown until a USB board is connected or a Bluetooth e-
Board connection is established.
5. Once an e-Board is found and connected and you have placed all pieces in the starting
position, DGT Pi will respond with the default or selected time setting on the display, for
example it may show “05.00 05.00”.
6. When the starting position has not fully been set up, DGT Pi will display “Set Pieces” and it
will wait until all pieces are properly set up in the starting position (please ensure that the
extra queens are NOT yet placed on the board).
7. You are now ready to play chess against the DGT Pi. To adjust your chess preferences, you
may change the settings by using the clock menu buttons or by placing the extra black or
white queens on the board. Details are described elsewhere in this manual.
Playing a game against a DGT Pi engine
Important notes before starting a game:
1. When using a DGT e-Board with indices on the side of the board (letters a-h and numbers 1-8),
it is recommended to place white chess pieces on rows 1 and 2 and the black pieces on rows 7
and 8 even if you are playing with black. A reversed set-up of the pieces will also work and the
DGT e-Board and DGT Pi will recognize that the colors are reversed but in that case the indices
on the edge of your e-Board will not coincide with the coordinates shown on the DGT Pi
display.
2. If DGT Pi does not respond to menu keys or game changes within 30 seconds after starting,
the device may be locked. Please try to restart it by pressing the ON/OFF key, located on the
bottom of the DGT Pi.
3. If this does not lead to a correct restart, unplug and reconnect the micro USB power connector
to force a full reboot of DGT Pi. Wait approximately 30 seconds for the device to reboot.
Playing and training modes
DGT Pi has several playing and training modes. Below is a summary of the options currently
implemented.
Normal mode: You can play against one of the selected DGT Pi engines. The clock displays the
remaining thinking time for both sides. Just press the –key to show the computer evaluation of
the position, expressed in centipawns (see below note for explanation) or press the key to show
a hint (“ponder move”).

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•Analysis mode: DGT Pi is only observing the game and does not play itself. The clock
continuously displays the best move for the side to play.
•Kibitz mode: DGT Pi is only observing the game and does not play itself. The clock
continuously displays the computer evaluation of the position on the board.
•Observe mode: DGT Pi is only observing the game and does not play itself. The clock displays
the remaining thinking time for both sides. Press the –key once to show the position
evaluation. Press the key to show a hint.
•Remote play mode: This mode allows you to play against other players or engines over
internet. Be aware that this mode is NOT YET supported in software version 0.75.
Notes:
Normal mode is the “regular”chess game mode and, after restart, the default setting on DGT Pi. If
you have selected one of the other modes, you can return to normal mode using the menu
buttons and toggle through the settings or place the extra white queen on a5.
Centipawn is the value of 1/100th of a pawn. It is a theoretical unit most chess engines use to
assess positions. The position score is the computer evaluation of the position on the chess board
and it is expressed in a number of centipawns. The unit is useful for expressing small advantages or
disadvantages between black and white. For example if white is one pawn up and black does not
have any compensation for the loss of his pawn (usually some positional advantage), an engine will
generally consider white to be 100 centipawns better. Often this would be expresses as +1.00
pawns though on DGT Pi it is currently expressed as +100 centipawns. If, on the other hand, black
had some compensation, an engine could calculate white to have an advantage of perhaps 29
centipawns (+0.29 pawns). Note that the position score will always be displayed in centipawns
from white’s perspective. For example, if DGT Pi displays a score of +33, then the white player is 33
centipawns (or 0.33 pawns) ahead. A negative score means that the black player is ahead.
Position modes
DGT Pi supports several position modes:
Switching sides: DGT Pi has an option to switch sides. You can select to play with white or let
DGT Pi start with white. During an active game, sides can be switched by pressing the lever on
top of DGT Pi. Doing so allows you to take over the game position from DGT Pi. This can be a
good teaching tool to improve your chess skills and learn to play with different and perhaps
challenging positions.
•Chess 960: This option, currently only supported by the StockFish engine, is used to set up a
Chess 960 position. This is a special feature to play Chess 960 or Fischer Random Chess which
is a great alternative way to play chess. Chess 960 is the only other form of chess officially
recognized by the International Chess Federation FIDE and it is played by many chess lovers

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worldwide. In Chess 960 the games do not start from the traditional starting position but
instead start from one of 960 random starting positions. It requires players to start thinking
about their moves right from the start thus bypassing any advantage a player may have from
learned knowledge about particular chess openings. Just give it a try once you are more
familiar with the normal play modes.
•Scan board: This option allows you to set up any position on the board that you wish to play
out or analyze. Just set up a position and scan it. Make sure the position you set up complies
with the rules of chess. For example, the kings should not be in “check mate” and pawns that
reached the eighth row should be promoted before scanning the board position. Set up any
position you want for play, analysis or problem solving.
Time Modes
DGT Pi supports following timing modes:
•Move Time: Select a fixed time per move for the engine between 1 and 90 seconds. DGT Pi
will respond with each move after the selected time has passed. After performing the
computer move it is your move and the display will show “ok Pico”. In this time mode your
own thinking time is unlimited.
•Game Time: Select a game time between 1 and 90 minutes. Both the player and the engine
receive the same amount of thinking time to complete all their moves. Their clocks will count
down when it is their turn to move just like in a regular chess game using a regular chess clock.
Note that the lever on top of the clock does not have to be pressed to indicate the end of each
turn; simply moving the pieces on the board will signal the end of a turn and the other player’s
clock will start counting down automatically.
•Fischer: Select a game time for both players between 1 and 60 minutes with a Fischer
increment time added for each move between 1 and 30 seconds.
Book Modes
DGT Pi supports following book modes. These are databases containing various chess openings.
•You can choose to select “no book” and play without any opening book guidance.
•You can choose one of the fifteen book options. Just select “Book” in the menu and try one of
the available books.
Note: The current list of books may change in future software versions.
Engine options
DGT Pi includes a wide range of chess engines. Most engines have a level selection option allowing
you to adapt the engine strength to your personal level. The levels can usually be selected between

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0 and 20. ELO rating levels may be given but for most engines the levels are not easily converted to
a comparable ELO rating.
Examples of the estimated ELO strengths for some of the levels of the StockFish engine are:
•Level 0 estimates about 1100 ELO (absolute beginner)
•Level 10 estimates about 1750 ELO (average club player)
•Level 20 estimates about 2570 ELO (advanced tournament player)
System options
This menu section is used to read out and adjust several DGT Pi functions.
•You can check your currently installed software version.
•It will show your IP address and check the IP connection (to be used in future feature
upgrades).
•You can select the sound function and vary between three stages. In the beginning you may
find it helpful to hear many beeps. As you become more familiar with your DGT Pi hearing too
many beeps may become undesirable and you may wish to select an option such as “Never”
or “Sometimes”.
•You can select the language. Currently five languages are implemented, English, German,
Dutch, French and Spanish, but new languages may be added with future software releases.
Setting up a game
To change the settings on DGT Pi there are two methods:
1. Using the menu buttons (easy method)
2. Using the extra black and white queens on the e-Board (fast method)
Both methods have their advantages and are described below.
Game settings using the menu buttons (easy) / extra queens (fast)
The easy method uses the menu buttons on the front of DGT Pi. All menu options can be accessed
and changed using these buttons. With the easy method it is not necessary to have all chess pieces
in the starting position or to use the extra queens. Just go through the menu by pressing the menu
buttons. For example you can press the middle menu button to force DGT Pi to make a move. It is
possible to change color by pressing the lever on top of DGT Pi.
Using the extra queens on the e-Board is the fast method to change settings but not all options can
be selected this way. To change settings using the extra queens, all 32 chess pieces must first be
placed in the starting position. The extra two queens that are supplied with all DGT electronic chess
sets are used to confirm the settings. Move one of the extra queens over the empty squares of the

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e-Board (remember the other pieces must be in the starting position) and the display will show the
setting option related to that square. The setting will be activated by lifting the extra queen from
that square.
Note: We suggest not switching between engines or change time settings during a game as this
may lead into unpredictable behavior. For example in some situations a change in settings during a
game can result in a new game.
“Easy method”using the DGT Pi menu buttons
Below is a quick overview of the DGT Pi button symbols, their related symbols as used in the menu
on the display and the action that will follow when pressing each button:
DGT Pi
button
Menu
symbol

–
||


Menu
action
Back or exit
(sub-)menu
Move up in
current
(sub-)menu
No
menu
function
Move down in
current
(sub-)menu
Enter menu or
confirm selection
Important: Please read following notes before starting DGT Pi and accessing the menu:
1. Power up DGT Pi by connecting the mini USB power connector (DGT Pi will completely
reboot).
2. Power up can also be done, when already connected to the power adapter, by pressing the
clock power button at the bottom of the DGT Pi (if DGT Pi was in shutdown stage / sleep
mode).
3. Shutdown can be done by pressing the power button at the bottom of DGT Pi.
4. Shutdown can also be done by pressing the and buttons simultaneously.
5. Use and to step through the menu tree.
6. Use and –to step through the current menu selection list.
7. Important: Future firmware versions may result in menu text and option variations.
8. Text between quote marks ” “ is as displayed on the DGT Pi display.
9. Text between brackets () is for your information only.
Menu structure for the easy method