User manual

IVAN is a player who can speak but cannot see. If you move a piece on the
board without using the sensory technology, the computer will still think there
is a piece at the previous location. The same is true when you remove a piece.
If you ever have a question concerning the board position, just use the
VERIFY mode (pg.15) to check the position.
Note: At the beginning of a game, the computer’s reply is often instantaneous
on many levels, because it is playing moves that are stored in its book opening’s
library and therefore, does not need anytime to think.
TAKE BACK
If you press the TO square and change your mind, or if you just do not like
the outcome of your last few moves then press the TAKEBACK button. The
display will now show the last move in the window. Press on the
corresponding squares until you have taken back the moves of the game to
your desired position. If the move you have just taken back was a capturing
move, once you have moved the capturing piece back to its FROM square the
symbol for the captured piece will be illuminated on the LCD. You then take
the appropriate piece and press it down gently on the TO square of the move
you have just taken back. When you press on this square the piece symbol
will go out.
When taking back your moves you must complete the computers last move.
Once you have completed the computer’s move you can then take back your
move. NOTE : That in the case of En Passant capture the captured pawn
does not get replaced on the TO square of the capturing pawn. If you decide
to take back a move, you may only do so when it is your turn to move. Once
you have taken back the position to your desired move choice, just begin again
with your new choice or press MOVE if it is the computer’s turn to move.
Following this procedure allows you to take back up to 12 moves previously
made in the game. If you press the FROM square and change your mind, just
press the FROM square again to clear your entry and make another move.
You may also use the CLEAR button to do the same thing.
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2. STARTING A GAME
A. Set up the pieces on the chess board in their starting positions,. with the
white pieces nearest to you (see the USCF’s “LETS PLAY CHESS” rules
found in your Ivan box, if you are unsure of the piece positions). If you
choose to play black, then go to the section “Black from the bottom”.
B. Press the ON b u t t o n .
C. Press NEW GAME, Ivan will now introduce himself and ask you to
prepare for battle. The display will scroll the words PLAY CHESS, indicating
that Ivan is now ready to play. It is now your move.
D. To make a move, lightly press
down on the center of the square with
the piece you want to move. This will
be the FROM square. Now pick up
the same selected piece and press down
on the square you want to move to.
This is called the TO square. The
sensor board registers your move. The
display window also indicates your
move, for example E2E4. Make your
moves and those of the computer by
pressing down lightly with the piece on
its current square and then press down
with the same piece on its new square. If the move does not seem to have
registered, press down with the edge of the piece. Ivan displays its moves,
with the FROM and TO square, plus the piece and color symbol, illuminated
in the LCD. After you have pressed the computer’s piece on the FROM
square, the display will show you only the TO square reminding you to finish
the computers turn. The clock will now begin to count the time it takes you
and Ivan to make your moves. For example, if you press the pawn on (E2),
the E and the 2 will appear on the display along with the symbol for white and
the pawn. Then press on the TO square (E4). The computer will display your
full move “E2-E4” and then display its move. If your move does not seem to
have registered, press down lightly with the edge of the piece to activate the
sensor under your playing surface. Pressing harder on the square will not make
your piece register any better, it may only damage your game.
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