Millennium King Performance M830 User manual

CONTENTS
1 Important information ................................................................................................................ 4
1.1 Safety instructions .............................................................................................................. 4
1.2 Notes on storage and cleaning ............................................................................................ 4
1.3 Notes on the power supply.................................................................................................. 4
1.4 Package contents................................................................................................................ 4
2 Getting started ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Connecting the adaptor ...................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Selecting the language........................................................................................................ 5
2.3 Adjusting the backlight....................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Preparing for a game .......................................................................................................... 5
2.5 Switching on and off........................................................................................................... 6
2.6 Reset .................................................................................................................................. 6
2.7 The buttons and their functions (summary) ......................................................................... 6
3 Playing against the computer...................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Your move.......................................................................................................................... 7
3.1.1 Ordinary moves........................................................................................................... 7
3.1.2 Special moves ............................................................................................................. 7
3.2 The computer’s move ......................................................................................................... 8
3.3 Errors ................................................................................................................................. 8
3.4 Symbols displayed in the bottom line during play................................................................ 8
3.5 Retracting and replaying moves .......................................................................................... 9
3.6 Result of the game.............................................................................................................. 9
3.7 Starting a new game ........................................................................................................... 9
4 The info screens....................................................................................................................... 10
4.1 Info screen: Large clock .................................................................................................... 10
4.2 Info screen: Game score.................................................................................................... 10
4.3 Info screen: Analysis......................................................................................................... 11
4.4 Info screen: Opening name and code ................................................................................ 12
4.5 Info screen: Permanent brain ............................................................................................ 12
4.6 Info screen: Small clock .................................................................................................... 12
5 Special functions ...................................................................................................................... 13
5.1 The menu ......................................................................................................................... 13
5.2 Menu: Move...................................................................................................................... 13
5.3 Menu: Hint........................................................................................................................ 13
5.4 Menu: Level ...................................................................................................................... 14

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5.4.1 Normal levels............................................................................................................ 14
5.4.2 Easy levels ................................................................................................................ 14
5.4.3 Fun levels.................................................................................................................. 14
5.4.4 Blitz levels ................................................................................................................ 14
5.4.5 Tournament levels..................................................................................................... 15
5.4.6 User level.................................................................................................................. 15
5.4.7 ‘Fixed depth’ levels ................................................................................................... 16
5.4.8 ‘Find mate’ level........................................................................................................ 16
5.5 Menu: Nextb (Next best) ................................................................................................... 16
5.6 Menu: Start....................................................................................................................... 16
5.7 Menu: End ........................................................................................................................ 16
5.8 Menu: Analy (Analysis) ...................................................................................................... 17
5.9 Menu: 2Play (Two Players)................................................................................................. 17
5.10 Menu: CLink (ChessLink) ............................................................................................... 17
5.11 Menu: Opts (advanced Options)..................................................................................... 18
5.11.1 Overview of the advanced options ............................................................................. 18
5.11.2 Altering an option ..................................................................................................... 18
5.11.3 Opts: Invert Board ..................................................................................................... 18
5.11.4 Opts: Tutor ............................................................................................................... 18
5.11.5 Opts: Book1.............................................................................................................. 19
5.11.6 Opts: Book2.............................................................................................................. 19
5.11.7 Opts: Permanent Brain............................................................................................... 19
5.11.8 Opts: Randomness .................................................................................................... 19
5.11.9 Opts: Contempt ........................................................................................................ 19
5.11.10 Opts: CPU speed ....................................................................................................... 20
5.11.11 Opts: Style ................................................................................................................ 20
5.11.12 Opts: Sound.............................................................................................................. 21
5.11.13 Opts: Contrast .......................................................................................................... 21
5.11.14 Opts: Language......................................................................................................... 21
5.12 Menu: SetUp ................................................................................................................. 21
5.13 Menu: Verfy (Verify) ...................................................................................................... 23
6 USB mode – Communicating with a PC ...................................................................................... 23
6.1 Connecting to the PC ........................................................................................................ 23
6.2 Saving and loading games................................................................................................. 23
6.2.1 Saving the current game............................................................................................ 23
6.2.2 Loading a game ........................................................................................................ 24
6.2.3 Loading a PGN file..................................................................................................... 24

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6.2.4 Creating a PGN file.................................................................................................... 25
6.2.5 Saving a game from a ‘set up’ position ...................................................................... 25
6.3 Further downloads............................................................................................................ 26
6.3.1 Installing a new version of the chess program ........................................................... 26
6.3.2 Installing a new openings book ................................................................................. 26
7 FAQ and troubleshooting.......................................................................................................... 26
7.1 My board does not work as intended................................................................................. 26
7.2 I need spare chess pieces.................................................................................................. 26
7.3 Can I save games?............................................................................................................. 26
7.4 Can I load games onto the King? ....................................................................................... 26
7.5 Is there a firmware update?............................................................................................... 26
7.6 Can I go back to older firmware?....................................................................................... 27
7.7 The Update or PGN Tool does not recognize the chess computer unit................................ 27
7.7.1 Driver update............................................................................................................ 27
7.7.2 Cable and connection................................................................................................ 27
7.7.3 USB mode ................................................................................................................. 27
7.8 The TKP_Udate Tool cannot acquire the latest firmware..................................................... 27
7.9 How long does the update take? When is the update complete? ......................................... 27
7.10 Feedback and questions................................................................................................ 27
8 Disposal................................................................................................................................... 27
9 Warranty, servicing and contact with manufacturers.................................................................. 28
10 Technical specifications............................................................................................................ 28

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1 Important information
Before using this device, please read the following safety notes and operating instructions completely, and
pay careful attention to them. Please store this user manual with the device, so that you can refer to it later if
needed. If you later give this device to another user, please also give them this manual.
1.1 Safety instructions
Please note that this product is not a child’s toy within the meaning of Directive 2009/48/EC. If you let your
children use the device, instruct them accordingly and ensure that the device is used only as intended.
• Keep the packaging bags and film away from babies and small children, as there is danger of
suffocation!
• In order to avoid damage, do not expose the device to heat, e.g. from radiators or from direct
sunlight, and do not expose it to any kind of moisture.
• In order to avoid malfunctions, do not operate the device on or near devices that create magnetic
fields or electromagnetic radiation, such as for example televisions, loudspeakers, mobile and
cordless telephones, WiFi devices etc.
• Do not open the device under any circumstances. It does not contain any serviceable parts. In the
event of malfunction, contact the service address or your local shop.
1.2 Notes on storage and cleaning
• Please note that real wood needs extra care. Handle the wood carefully, always store the device where it
is dry and do not expose it to strong sunlight.
• When required, only clean the device’s surface with a slightly damp cloth, and ensure that no moisture
can penetrate into the device.
• Do not use solvents or other aggressive or abrasive cleaning agents, as these can damage the device’s
surfaces.
1.3 Notes on the power supply
Only operate this product with the AC adaptor supplied.
Input 100–240 V 50/60 Hz, 0.45A max; Output 9V DC 1A
When using the AC adaptor, please observe the following:
• The power socket should be located close to the device and should be easily accessible.
• The device should not be connected to more power sources than recommended.
• The electrical contacts must not be short-circuited.
• Before cleaning the device, ensure you disconnect the adaptor from the mains.
• Regularly check the product and the AC adaptor for damage, and do not use either of them if they
are damaged. Never open them up.
• Please observe any safety information printed on the AC adaptor.
1.4 Package contents
The package contains the following components:
• 1 King Performance computer unit M830 with liquid crystal display (LCD)
• 17 white chess pieces (including additional queen)
• 17 black chess pieces (including additional queen)
• 1 AC adaptor
• 1 cable with 2 identical connectors (to connect the computer with the ChessLink)
• 1 user manual

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2 Getting started
2.1 Connecting the adaptor
At the rear of the computer unit there are three sockets.
1. Take the AC adaptor (supplied in the package) and insert the small connector on the end of the cable
into the right-hand socket on the rear of the computer unit.
2. Connect the AC adaptor to a power socket. A sound is emitted.
2.2 Selecting the language
The chess computer’s LCD display can show its text in any of the following 7 languages:
Language
Shown on display
English
English
German
Deutsch
French
Français
Dutch
Nederlands
Italian
Italiano
Spanish
Español
Russian
Pусский
After you connect the power, the display shows the word ‘English’ together with the version number of the
chess program:
To select the English language: Confirm by pressing the GREEN button.
To choose a different language:
1. Press the down arrow button òas many times as needed to display the desired language.
2. Then confirm with GREEN.
2.3 Adjusting the backlight
The LCD display has a backlight that you can adjust by pressing the BACKLIGHT button as many times as
necessary.
2.4 Preparing for a game
After you have selected the language, the display shows the ‘Large clock’ info screen:
German:
English:
You can now prepare for a game:

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1. Place the chess pieces on their starting squares. Initially the computer assumes that White is playing
‘up the board’, i.e. the white pieces start from the 2 rows next to the control panel. If you want Black
to play ‘up’, give the ‘Invert board’ command as described in Sections 5.11 and 5.11.1.
2. You can now start play against the computer on its ‘Easy’ level 4. (If you want to select a different
level of play, see Section 5.4.)
3. If you want the computer to play White, give the ‘Move’ command as described in Section 5.2.
2.5 Switching on and off
If the computer is running and you press the On/Off button, the following display appears:
German:
English:
If the computer unit is connected to a PC or laptop via a USB cable, you can now perform operations such as
loading or saving games –see Section 6.
If instead you press the GREEN button, the device switches off.
Or if you press the RED button, it reverts to the ‘info’ screen or the menu (see Section 5).
If switched off in the correct manner (as above), the computer will still retain the current game in its memory,
with the parameters (level, etc.) that you have specified – even if you afterwards disconnect the power. When
the power is reconnected, the computer automatically switches on. To switch on when the power has not
been disconnected, press the ON/Off button.
After switching on, you can resume play from where you left off.
2.6 Reset
If you wish to delete all previous data:
• Disconnect the device from the power supply.
• Hold down the RED button and reconnect the power.
• Keep the RED button held down until the start screen appears (as in Section 2.2). The computer is
now in the same state as when you first acquired it. This operation may occasionally be useful in case
of a problem you don’t understand.
2.7 The buttons and their functions (summary)
RED button Cancels a command.
GREEN button Confirms a command.
Note: The RED and GREEN buttons have various uses depending on the situation. Their functions at any
particular moment are indicated by the ‘inverted’ wording (i.e. text on a dark background) in the bottom line
of the display: RED in the left corner, GREEN in the right corner. If nothing is indicated, the respective button
is not currently enabled.
ON/OFF Switches the device on or off.
NEW Starts a new game.
BACKLIGHT Adjusts the display’s backlighting.
Retracts moves.

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Replays moves.
ïReturns to the previous screen. Moves the cursor left.
ðProceeds to the next screen. Moves the cursor right.
ñMoves the cursor up.
òMoves the cursor down.
If held down, the buttons will ‘auto-repeat’.
3 Playing against the computer
3.1 Your move
3.1.1 Ordinary moves
Press on the departure square of the piece you want to move. There is a ‘beep’, and the red lights at the
corners of the square come on.
To complete your move, press the piece down on its destination square after taking away any piece that you
are capturing.
3.1.2 Special moves
• ‘En passant’ capture: First move your own pawn, then press on the square of the captured pawn as
you take it off the board.
• Pawn promotion: Move the pawn to the promotion square. The bottom line of the display will show
(e.g.):
This invites you to promote to a queen. If you want, you can switch to a different piece by pressing ï
or ð. When the desired piece is shown, press GREEN and replace the pawn with the piece.
• Castling: Move the king first. Then move the rook in the same way, i.e. pressing on the ‘from’ and
‘to’ squares.
In normal (i.e. ‘classical’) chess, the above method is always recommended. In ‘Chess960’ (see
Section 3.7), an alternative method is sometimes necessary: –
(1) Press the departure square of the king.
(2) Press the departure square of the rook with which you want to castle.
(3) Move the king, pressing its destination square.
(4) Move the rook, pressing its destination square.
This is essential when the king castles by moving just one square:
To castle, press b1 – a1 – c1 – d1.
The procedure sometimes involves pressing the same square twice:
To castle, press d1 – g1 – g1 – f1 .

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In the next example, two squares are pressed twice:
To castle, press f1 – g1 – g1 – f1.
If the king or rook is already on its destination square, castling is effected by simply moving the other
piece:
To castle queenside, press a1 then d1. To castle kingside, press c1 then g1.
3.2 The computer’s move
The computer announces its move with a ‘beep’, and the red lights ‘blink’ to indicate the ‘from’ and ‘to’
squares alternately. Press down on the squares as you move the piece.
It may then be necessary to complete a ‘special’ move. The red lights indicate the square or squares where a
piece must be placed or removed. Note also the ‘prompts’ at the bottom left of the screen:
In this example, the square h8 must be vacated and the black rook must be placed on f8 (to complete a
castling move). Press the squares as you carry out the operation.
The square b4 must be vacated (by a pawn that has been captured en passant ). Press the square as you
remove the pawn.
To carry out an ‘underpromotion’ of pawn to rook, press the square b2 as you remove the pawn, then press
the rook down on b1.
If the computer gives check, its move is followed by a high triple buzz.
If you prefer, you can also execute the computer’s move without pressing the squares: press RED (this
switches the lights off and erases the ‘prompt’), then simply move the piece(s). Note that any move that is
‘prompted’ in the bottom line may be carried out in this way; this includes moves that are being retracted or
replayed (see Sections 3.5 and 5.6).
3.3 Errors
If you press on a piece but then decide not to move it after all, press the square again. The lights go out, and
you can restart your move.
An illegal move is rejected by a low triple buzz. Simply complete a legal move in the normal way.
If (e.g.) pieces get knocked over and you aren’t sure where to put them back, you can use the ‘Verfy’ (=
verify) function –see Section 5.13.
3.4 Symbols displayed in the bottom line during play
• (rotating hourglass): The computer is thinking about its move.
• : You are to move with White.
• : You are to move with Black.

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3.5 Retracting and replaying moves
3.5.1 Retracting a move
If you want to take back the last move played, you may press the clockwise arrow button . The red lights
on the chessboard, and the prompts in the bottom line of the screen, direct you to move the piece back, e.g.:
Return the white bishop from h4 to g5, pressing the squares as you do so. (Alternatively press RED and
simply move the piece –compare Section 3.2.)
3.5.2 Retracting a sequence of moves
After taking back one move, you may also take back the previous one or a longer sequence.
To do this, you can repeat the same procedure as before. However, in a long sequence you don’t need to
retract the moves one by one in a specific order. For example, to retract the last seven moves played, you can
simply press seven times and then proceed to reconstruct the position, pressing the squares that are
indicated in the bottom line. The VERFY function (see Section 5.1.3), as well as the red lights on the board,
can help you.
3.5.3 Replaying moves
A move that you have retracted can be replayed by pressing the anticlockwise arrow button and moving
the piece on the board as prompted by the lights and the screen.
To replay a sequence, you may repeat this same procedure to execute each individual move. Alternatively,
you may simply press the anticlockwise arrow button several times and then reconstruct the position at the
end of the sequence.
3.5.4 Continuing the game
At any time after retracting or replaying moves, you can resume the game from the current position on the
board. Carry out a move in the normal way, or give the ‘Move’ command (see Section 5.2) to make the
computer play next –you will then be playing for the opposing colour.
3.6 Result of the game
The final move is accompanied by three ‘beeps’, and the result is announced in the bottom line of the
display:
• Mate Checkmate
• Stale Stalemate
• Draw 3x Draw by threefold repetition
• Draw 50 Draw by 50-move rule
• NoMat Draw due to insufficient material (neither side can mate the opponent)
• TooLong The game cannot be continued, as it would exceed the available
memory space (maximum: 256 moves for each side).
3.7 Starting a new game
You can start a new game at any time, except in the middle of some special operations as described in
Section 5.
Press the NEW button. The screen shows ‘New Game?’ and either the word ‘Classic’ or an arrangement of
pieces to start a game of ‘Chess 960’. To switch between these displays, use ñor ò.
To begin a game of ordinary (‘classical’) chess, press GREEN when the screen shows ‘Classic’.

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The following is an example of a starting screen for ‘Chess960’, also known as ‘Fischer Random Chess’ (an
explanation of this variant of the game is supplied on the MILLENNIUM website:
http://www.computerchess.com/).
German:
English:
To start a game from number 450 of the 960 possible starting positions in ‘Fischer Random Chess’, set up
the pieces as shown below, and press GREEN.
To choose a different ‘Fischer Random’ position, press ïor ðas many times as required, then press GREEN.
The / buttons can be used to increase/decrease the number in steps of 50.
A press on RED would cancel the ‘new game’ command and leave the position unaltered.
4 The info screens
The computer offers six different screens or ‘pages’ on which information is displayed: ‘Large clock’, ‘Game
score’, ‘Analysis’, ‘Opening name and code’, ‘Permanent brain’ and ‘Small clock’. You can switch between the
screens by using the ïand ðbuttons.
From any ‘Info’ screen, you may press a GREEN button to access the menu of special functions. See Section 5.
Repeated presses on the right arrow button ðwill display the screens in the following order: –
4.1 Info screen: Large clock
This screen was displayed when you first connected the power and selected the language –see illustration in
Section 2.4.
On a ‘Normal’, ‘Easy’, ‘Fun’ or ‘Fixed depth’ level (as well as the ‘Find mate’ level), this screen shows the total
times taken so far by White and Black. On a ‘Blitz’, ‘Tournament’ or ‘User’ level, the clock display ‘counts
down’ and shows the amount of time remaining until the next time control. (See Section 5.4 for descriptions
of the levels and how to select them.)
4.2 Info screen: Game score
This screen shows the most recent moves, for example:

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German:
English:
You may press the up arrow ñor down arrow òbuttons to switch directly between the ‘Large clock’ and
‘Game score’ screens.
Moves that have been retracted (see Section 3.5) are indicated as follows:
In this example, move 13 has been retracted for both Black and White.
4.3 Info screen: Analysis
This screen provides you with insights into the computer’s thought process.
For example, the top three lines may show:
The current ‘search depth’ is indicated by the figure at the top right: the computer is looking 9 ‘ply’ ahead.
(One ‘ply’ is a single move by White or Black.) The adjacent figure ‘01’ indicates that a ‘full width search’ (or
‘brute force’) is being employed for the first ‘ply’ only. (See the explanation of ‘full width search’ in Section
4.5; also ‘Selectivity’ in 5.11.9.)
In this example, there are 33 legal moves in the position. The one being considered is f2–f4, the 7th move
that the computer has analysed to the current depth.
In the current state of its analysis, the move that the computer rates as best is Qb5. It considers that after
this move, the best continuation for both sides is: Qxb5; cxb5 Nd8 (the sequence may be continued in the
fourth line).
The number +0.39 is the computer’s evaluation of the position: The King believes it has a slight advantage,
worth 0.39 of a pawn. Further examples of what may appear in this place on the screen are:
-1.89 The computer has a disadvantage nearly equivalent to 2 pawns.
Book2 Consulting its ‘books’ of standard chess openings, the computer has located the
current position in the book designated as No. 2. See Section 5.11.6.
+M 7 The computer can force checkmate in 7 more moves.
-M 4 The opponent can force checkmate in 4 more moves.
In the middle of the second line, the computer records the amount of time it took to reach its current
conclusions about the best move, the continuation and the evaluation. Note the use of the colon and
semicolon:
02:26 2 minutes 26 seconds
01;08 1 hour 8 minutes
The number of positions examined before reaching the current conclusions is shown at the right of the
second line –in this case 808,254. (Sometimes ‘k’ for ‘thousand’ or ‘M’ for ‘million’ will be seen.)

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4.4 Info screen: Opening name and code
The top 2 lines of the LCD indicate the opening of the current game; you will see the name together with the
‘code’ assigned to the variation in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO). For example:
German:
English:
Note: The opening names can be displayed in English and German only.
In the above example, the 3rd and 4th lines indicate ‘book’ moves available in the current position –i.e. the 5
moves recognized by the ‘openings book’ that the computer is using. (See Sections 5.11.5 and 5.11.6.)
If a move is preceded by ‘–‘, The King will not play it; the openings book merely equips the computer with a
response to this move.
If no book moves are available, the 3rd and 4th lines will give info that supplements the ‘Analysis’ screen. The
info relates to the analysis that The King has completed to a certain depth. For example:
German:
English:
The greatest ‘depth’ to which the analysis has been completed is 10 ‘ply’. To perform this analysis, The King
took 22 seconds, examining about 1,048,000 positions at a rate of 46571 positions per second. The ‘full width
search’ (see 4.5) was conducted to a depth of 8 ply.
4.5 Info screen: Permanent brain
When the ‘Permanent Brain’ is active (see Section 5.11.5), the computer continues to think about the position
when it is your turn – it analyses the consequences of what it considers your best move.
The info it displays is similar in format to the ‘Analysis’ screen; for example, the top three lines may show:
German:
English:
In this example, The King expects you to play Ng1–e2, and anticipates the continuation Be7; d4 Bg4; dxc5….
The computer considers it has a disadvantage worth 0.56 of a pawn. To reach these conclusions, it examined
approximately 6,244,000 positions in 3 minutes 32 seconds.
The computer is currently looking 10 ‘ply’ ahead. The figure 05 in the top line shows that the first 5 ‘ply’ are
subject to a ‘full width search’ (i.e. examination of every legal move and every legal response…).
4.6 Info screen: Small clock
This screen shows various items of information relating to time.
For example, on a ‘Tournament’ or ‘User’ level (see Section 5.4 for explanation), the first 4 lines may show:

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It is Black to play. White spent 1 minute 38 seconds on the last move, and a total of 27 minutes 34 seconds
on all moves played so far.
To reach the next time control, White must make 10 moves within 32 minutes 26 seconds. (There is no such
data on ‘Normal’, ‘Easy’, ‘Fun’, ‘Fixed depth’ and ‘Find mate’ levels, where the system of timing is different.)
The third and fourth lines of the screen give the corresponding information for Black, including the time
spent so far on the current move (6 seconds).
5 Special functions
5.1 The menu
If you press GREEN when any of the of the ‘Info’ screens is shown (see Section 4), a menu of 12 special
functions appears:
German:
English:
One character on the display is highlighted by a ‘blinking’ sign: ▋. This is the cursor .
By using the arrow buttons (ïðñò), you can move the cursor around.
In order to select a function, move the cursor to it and press GREEN.
If instead you press RED, this returns you from the menu to the ‘info’ screen.
Note: When operating the special functions, remember that the uses of the RED and GREEN buttons are
always indicated by the ‘inverted’ wording at the left and right of the bottom line.
Also notice the signs in the middle of the line. Here, the 2D signs tell you that all four ‘direction’ buttons are
currently enabled for performing menu operations.
5.2 Menu: Move
If you select this item when it is your turn to move, the computer will compute and play the next move itself,
and you can then take over the other colour.
If you want the computer to play White, select ‘Move’ to begin the game.
If you select ‘Move’ when it is the computer’s turn, it will cut short its calculations and play immediately.
5.3
Menu: Hint
Select ‘Hint’ if you want the computer to suggest a move for you. For about 2 seconds the move is indicated
by the LEDs on the chessboard and also appears in notation at the bottom left of the screen, e.g.:
German:
English:
You can now decide whether to follow the advice or play another move instead.

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5.4 Menu: Level
The computer’s levels of playing strength fall into 8 categories: ‘Normal’, ‘Easy’, ‘Fun’, ‘Blitz’, ‘Tournament’,
‘User’, ‘Fixed depth’ and ‘Find mate’.
When you select ‘Level’ from the menu, the current level is displayed. Initially the computer is set to play on
‘Easy’ level 4. On this level it will cut short its calculations after examining 2000 positions.
German:
English:
• To alter the level category: Press ñor òas many times as necessary until the desired category is
shown.
• To alter the level number within the category: press ïor ðas many times as necessary. (The ‘User’
category is a special case, in which you have to specify a range of parameters.)
• When the desired level is displayed, press GREEN to select it and return to the ‘info’ screen. (Instead,
a press on RED would return to the menu while leaving the level unchanged.)
5.4.1 Normal levels
On these levels, the computer takes a certain average amount of time per move –ranging from 1 second on
Normal level 0, to 3 minutes on Normal level 9. (The average is measured over a 10-move sequence.)
5.4.2 Easy levels
In this category of 8 levels, the computer plays at reduced strength, to give practice to inexperienced
opponents. It cuts short its calculations after examining a certain number of positions (125 on the lowest of
the ‘Easy’ levels; 16,000 on the highest).
One way to make the game even easier is to switch off the openings books (see Sections 5.11.3 and 5.1.4) –
while increasing the Randomness (see 5.11.6) to ensure variety. You can also reduce the speed of the
processor (see 5.18.8).
On the ‘Easy’ levels, the “Permanent Brain’ is never active even if it has been switched ‘on’. See Section
5.11.5).
5.4.3 Fun levels
These are similar to ‘Easy’ levels 0-5, but in addition the computer deliberately plays some moves it
considers inferior. From ‘Fun 0’ to ‘Fun 5’, the seriousness of the errors decreases.
Like the ‘Easy’ levels, the ‘Fun’ levels don’t use the ‘Permanent Brain’ (see 5.11.5) even when it is ‘on’.
On the ‘Fun’ levels, the ‘Tutor’ (see Section 5.11.2) is also inactive because The King cannot properly assess
the position.
5.4.4 Blitz levels
These levels simulate a game of ‘bullet’, ‘blitz’ or ‘rapid’ chess: the computer and the user have to play all
their moves within a specific amount of time. The allotted time ranges from 2 minutes on Blitz level 0, to 1
hour on Blitz level 8.
If a player exceeds the time limit, the ‘clock’ screens show the following:

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However, the game may be continued even after the player has ‘lost on time’.
5.4.5 Tournament levels
The tournament levels offer various ‘Fischer’, ‘sudden death’ or ‘classical’ time controls. Just as in games on
the ‘Blitz’ levels, play may continue even if one player loses by overstepping the time limit.
‘Fischer’ timings:
Tournament 0 At the start of the game, each player is given 5 minutes’ thinking time. After
each move played, the clock time is incremented by 3 seconds.
Tournament 1 25 minutes at the beginning, then an additional 10 seconds per move.
Tournament 2 1 hour at the beginning, then an additional 30 seconds per move.
‘Sudden death’ finish:
Tournament 3 Each player must make the first 30 moves within 1 hour, and then receives
30 minutes to complete the game.
Tournament 4 The first 40 moves within two hours, and then 30 minutes to complete the
game.
‘Classical’ time control:
Tournament 5 Each player must make 40 moves in the first two hours, and 20 moves per
hour thereafter.
5.4.6 User level
In this category, you can specify your own customized time control.
Example: You want to give the players 1 hour and 30 minutes for their first 42 moves and 15 minutes for
every 7 moves thereafter, with an increment of 15 seconds per move.
The display for the ‘User’ category looks like this:
German:
English:
If you repeatedly press ðor ï, the cursor (the ‘blinking’ ▋) moves around the screen to visit six items in
turn: the five parameters in rows 2-4, and the level category (‘User’) in the top row.
• Bring the cursor to the left-hand parameter in the second row. This is the number of moves for the
first time control.
• Press GREEN. The cursor ( ▋) is replaced by the sign . You can now alter the parameter by using
the direction buttons. The ï/ðarrows increase/reduce the number by one. The ñ/òarrows
increase/reduce it by ten. The maximum value for the parameter is ‘All’ (this comes after 60).
• Once you have reached 42, press GREEN to confirm.
• The ▋reappears in place of , and shifts to the second parameter in the same row. This is the
period (in h:mm:ss ) for the first time control.
• Press GREEN. The ▋is replaced by , and you can alter the parameter. The ï/ðarrows
increase/reduce the period in steps of one minute. The ñ/òarrows increase/reduce the period in
steps of ten minutes.
• Once you have reached 1:30:00, press GREEN to confirm. The is replaced by ▋, which moves to
the third row.

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• The parameters in the third row are the moves and the period for the second and subsequent time
controls. Change the figures to 7 and 0:15:00, in the same way as you changed the figures in the
second row. When the new values are confirmed, the cursor moves down again.
• The fourth row contains the increment (in mm:ss ). Press GREEN. The ï/ðarrows increase/reduce the
increment by one second. The ñ/òarrows increase/reduce it by ten seconds.
• When you have changed the increment to 00:15 and confirmed it with GREEN, the display shows the
following:
German:
English:
To confirm that you have finished setting your ‘User’ level, press GREEN again to return to the menu.
If instead you want to readjust any particular parameter, bring the cursor to it and carry out the alteration as
explained above. Then bring the cursor to the top line, and press GREEN for final confirmation.
5.4.7 ‘Fixed depth’ levels
On these levels the computer always analyses to the same depth, regardless of the amount of time this
requires. Any depth in the range 1-38 ‘ply’ may be selected.
5.4.8 ‘Find mate’ level
On this level, the computer searches for the quickest way to force checkmate from the current position. If it
fails to find a forced mate in 37 ‘ply’ or less, it displays ‘No mate found’ on the ‘Analysis’ info screen (see
Section 4.3).
Note that on this level, the ‘Analysis’ screen gives no evaluation of the position.
5.5 Menu: Nextb (Next best)
If you select this item, the computer will discard its last move and compute and play the one it rates as
second best. The display (bottom line) and the lights will guide you in retracting the old move and carrying
out the new one.
If you like, the operation may be repeated to produce the third and fourth best moves ... etc.
5.6 Menu: Start
Selecting ‘Start’ takes you to the start of the game score –it has the effect of ‘taking back’ all the moves at
once (see Section 3.5). Using the button, you may replay them one by one, to review the entire game. (A
convenient way to do this is described in Section 3.2: a press on RED enables you to move the piece without
pressing the squares.)
5.7 Menu: End
If moves have been taken back, this command has the opposite effect to the ‘Start’ command –it returns
directly to the current game position, i.e. the end of the game score. The ‘Verfy’ function (see 5.13) can guide
you in replacing the pieces correctly.

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5.8 Menu: Analy (Analysis)
If this item is selected, the computer will not make any moves of its own but will merely analyse the current
position. You can play moves for both White and Black, and inspect the information on the ‘Analysis’ screen
(see 4.3).
To show that The King is in ‘Analysis’ mode, the symbol is displayed expanding and contracting. The computer
exits from this mode if you re-select the ‘Analy’ item or give the ‘Move’ command.
5.9 Menu: 2Play (Two Players)
In ‘Two Player’ mode, the computer performs no analysis. This allows you to use its special chessboard for a
game between two humans. The computer merely checks the legality of the moves, records the score of the
game, and performs the functions of a chess clock.
A pair of ‘faces’ in the bottom line of the screen ( ) shows that The King is in ‘2Play’ mode. It exits from
this mode if you re-select the ‘2Play’ item or give the ‘Move’ command.
5.10 Menu: CLink (ChessLink)
The King Performance computer can be connected to the MILLENNIUM ChessLink module. This enables you to
use the King Performance to play online against human opponents or with chess engines on mobile devices.
For this purpose, do the following:
• Plug the small connector at the end of the King Performance adaptor’s cable into the left-hand socket
at the rear of the ChessLink unit.
• Take the cable with 2 identical connectors (supplied with the King Performance package). Plug it into
the left-hand socket at the rear of the chess computer unit and the middle socket on the ChessLink.
Note that each connector must be the right way up when you insert it. The connector has four narrow
pins and one wider pin. Turn the connector so that the wider pin is at the bottom, to enable it to fit
precisely into the openings in the socket. The wider opening is indicated by the arrow in the
illustration below:
Once connected in this way, the power will be transferred from the ChessLink to the chess computer
unit; the King Performance has no need of a separate power supply.
• Select CLink from the menu. The chess computer displays in the bottom line of the screen, to
show that it is in ‘ChessLink’ mode.
For full information on the ChessLink’s capabilities and operation, see the Millennium website
(http://www.computerchess.com/).
To carry out a move input from ChessLink, follow the guidance of the lights on the King Performance
chessboard. Note the alternating symbol in the bottom line of the display: /
The King exits from ‘ChessLink’ mode if you select ‘CLink’ again from the menu, or give the MOVE command.

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5.11 Menu: Opts (advanced Options)
5.11.1 Overview of the advanced options
The ‘options’ are a set of 12 special features that you have the possibility to modify. To inspect them,
select ‘Opts’ from the menu. This displays four options from the list, e.g.:
German:
English:
One line of the screen incorporates the cursor (the ‘blinking’ ▋). By repeatedly pressing ñor ò, you
can move the cursor up and down and view all 12 options in rotation.
5.11.2 Altering an option
To alter an option, bring the cursor to the relevant row and use the ï/ ðbuttons.
Example: you want to switch the ‘Tutor’ feature ‘on’, and you want the ‘Queen’s Gambit’ openings
book to be treated as book number 1.
Bring the cursor to the ‘Tutor’ line. For the ‘Tutor’ option, there are just two ‘settings’, i.e. ‘On’ (a)
and ‘Off’ ( X ). Press ïor ðto switch between them.
Next, bring the cursor to the ‘Book1’ line. This parameter (described in Section 5.11.5) has nine
different settings, which you can display in rotation with ïor ð. In this way, bring ‘Q. Gambit’ onto
the screen.
Having finished your alterations to the options, press GREEN to return to the main menu or RED to
return to the info page.
We now consider the options in turn. Note: Under the ‘Style’ option, the possibilities are more complex
than in the other cases. See Section 5.11.11.
5.11.3 Opts: Invert Board
If this option is set to ‘X’, White plays ‘up the board’, i.e. away from the controls. If you want Black to
play ‘up’, use ïor ðto switch the X to a.
5.11.4 Opts: Tutor
Switch the Tutor function ‘on’ if you want the computer to point out your errors.
If the tutor is ‘on’ (a) and the computer thinks you have made a weak move, the display shows a
warning. For example:
German:
English:
The screen shows the computer’s intended reply to your move, and its assessment of the position
(compare Section 4.3). In this example, The King can deliver checkmate in two moves.

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You may now press RED and take your move back, pressing on the squares as indicated by the lights
and prompts. Or if you want your move to stand, press GREEN.
5.11.5 Opts: Book1
The King Performance is equipped with 9 ‘books’ (or ‘libraries’) of standard chess openings. Two of the
books are comprehensive in scope:
• ‘Master’ Book by M.Uniacke, containing over 300,000 positions
• ‘Aegon 1994’ Book by C. de Gorter, with 61,000 moves; it contains many forgotten
and ‘dubious’ lines.
There are also seven specialized books, each dealing with a specific area of chess opening theory:
• Open Games (1. e4 e5, without Spanish)
• Spanish (or Ruy Lopez)
• Semi-Open (1. e4 without 1…e5 or 1…c5)
• Sicilian
• Q. Gambit
• Indian
• Gambits
By setting the ‘Book1’ parameter, you specify which book the computer will use as the first choice for
determining its opening moves. In addition to the 9 settings listed above, there are 2 more:
• User The book, if any, that you have installed via a USB connection – see Section 6.
• Off If this is chosen, the computer will only consult ‘Book2’ – see 5.11.6.
5.11.6 Opts: Book2
This parameter specifies the openings book of second choice: if ‘Book1’ supplies no move in the
current position, The King will if possible play a move from ‘Book2’.
If either of the books is set to ‘Off’, only the other book will be used. If ‘Book1’ and ‘Book2’ are both
‘Off’, The King will compute its moves independently right from the start of the game.
5.11.7 Opts: Permanent Brain
If the computer’s ‘Permanent Brain’ is switched ‘on’, it continues calculating when it is your turn to
move (see Section 4.5). One way to lower the computer’s playing strength and give yourself an easier
game is to switch this function ‘Off’ ( X ).
Note: On the ‘Easy’ and ‘Fun’ levels (see 5.4.2 and 5.4.3), the computer operates without its
‘Permanent Brain’ even if this option is selected. In that case, if you switch to a level category other
than ‘Easy’ or ‘Fun’, The King will revert to thinking in its opponent’s time.
5.11.8 Opts: Randomness
This option introduces a small element of randomness into the computer’s assessment of the moves
that are immediately available in the current position.
The random element can be increased on a scale from 0.00 to 0.50. A high value can be helpful if (e.g.)
the openings ‘books’ are set to ‘Off’ (see 5.11.5 and 5.11.6): the random element will increase the
variety of moves that the computer can play in the opening stage.
5.11.9 Opts: Contempt
This parameter has a scale of values from -2.00 to +2.00. By increasing the value, you increase the
program’s aversion (i.e. ‘contempt’) for a drawn result. If the value is negative, The King will show
more readiness to accept a drawn or drawish position.

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5.11.10 Opts: CPU speed
Reducing the computer’s speed of calculation is one way to make it an easier opponent. The ‘CPU
speed’ option offers 30 settings, ranging from 10 to 300 MHz.
5.11.11 Opts: Style
To determine The King’s style of play, there are five predefined ‘settings’ to choose from: Defensive,
Solid, Normal, Active and Aggressive.
In addition, there are three ‘User’ settings. These are styles that you can create according to your own
specifications.
Inspecting the styles
Each style is defined by the significance it attaches to the following components of the position: –
Pawn Space
Knight Mobil (= Mobility)
Bishop Ksafe (= King safety)
Rook PassP (= Passed Pawn)
Queen Pweak (= Pawn weakness)
The style is also influenced by a ‘Selectivity’ factor. A high value for this parameter (maximum: 20)
permits the program to analyse certain selected variations more deeply. A value of 1 results in ‘brute
force’, i.e. every variation analysed to the same depth.
To inspect (e.g.) the composition of the ‘Aggressive’ style: –
1. Use ïor ðto display the ‘Aggressive’ setting.
2. Press GREEN. The ‘blinking’ cursor ( ▋) appears.
3. Repeated presses on ñor òbring the cursor to each line in turn and allow all the components
to be displayed. The last 4 lines look like this:
German:
English:
In each line, the percentage on the left is the value ascribed to this component in the computer’s own
position. The value of the same component in the opponent’s position is indicated on the right. In each
case, the ‘normal’ value would be 100%, but notice how the ‘Aggressive’ style attaches great
significance to the opposing king’s safety factor – meaning that the computer will be especially eager
to attack the king. On the other hand, the low score on the left of the same line means the computer
will be prepared to take certain risks with its own king’s defence.
In the ‘Selectivity’ line, ‘Auto’ means that this factor will be adjusted automatically as the game
progresses. The value is likely to be 20 in the early stages but will decline towards 1 as the endgame
approaches.
When you have finished the inspection, a press on RED returns you to the Options list.
Defining a ‘User’ style
Example: You want the ‘User1’ style to give the bishop a slightly higher value than usual in relation to
the other pieces. And you want ‘User1’ to take special care to keep its queen on the board.