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3/27

VI. OPTION-IFUNCTION

VII.OPTION-IIFUNCTION

VIII. ANALYSISFUNCTION

IX. GAMERATING FUNCTION

X. LCDDISPLAY OF THESTARDIAMOND/EXAMPLES&EXPLANATIONS

XI. TROUBLESHOOTING

XII. TECHNICAL DATAANDFEATURES23XIII.RULESOF CHESS

XIV.CAREOF THENOVAG STARDIAMOND

26. *PRINT MOVES27. *AUTOCLOCK28. AUTO/DEMO29. *HUMANMODE30. *VIDEOMODE31. REPLAY32. *PRINT GAME(IMMEDIATE ACTION)33. *PRINT BOARD(IMMEDIATE ACTION)

34. HASH TABLES(REFEREEKEY)35. SELECTIVESEARCH(SOUNDKEY)

36. PASSIVEBOOK(BOOKSELECT KEY)37. ACTIVEBOOK(RESTOREKEY)38. OPENINGBOOK(RANDOMKEY)39. LEARN(EASY KEY)40. EXTENSION(TRACEFORWARDKEY)41. *TEST (TAKEBACKKEY)

42. *ANALYSE(SAVEGAMEKEY)

43. GAMERATING(RATINGKEY)

A. LCDDISPLAY OF THESTARDIAMONDB. EXAMPLES&EXPLANATIONS

1. YOURCOMPUTERDOESNOT WORK2. ALL LEDSLIGHT UP AND THECOMPUTERISCOMPLETELY BLOCKED3. ONEOF THELEDSDOESNOT LIGHT UP4. ONESQUAREDOESNOT REGISTER A MOVE

A. GENERAL MOVESB. INDIVIDUAL MOVES

1.KING2.QUEEN3.ROOK4.BISHOP5.KNIGHT6.PAWN

C. HINTS& TIPS

32. *PRINT GAME(IMMEDIATE ACTION)33. *PRINT BOARD(IMMEDIATE ACTION)


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KEYBOARDOF THENOVAG STARDIAMOND

IV.20IV.4. Referee SaveGame NewGame IV.1

VI.26 PrintMove IV.21IV.14 Sound LoadGame Clear/ClearBoard IV.11

VI.27 AutoClock V.22IV.19 BookSelect Pro-opSave SetLevel IV.2

VI.28 Auto/Demo V.25IV.9 Restore Pro-opDelete Option1/2 VI./VII.

VI.29 Human V.23IV.18 Random Pro-opPriority Training IV.6

VI.30 Video V.24IV.17 Easy Pro-op Print Hint IV.5

VI.31 Replay IV.12/13

IV.8 TraceForward Verify/SetUp Info IV.15

VI.32 PrintGame Rating IX.43IV.7/16 TakeBack/NextBest Colour IV.10

VI.33 PrintBoard Go IV.3

Fordetailsinformationofeachfunctionkey,pleaserefertotherespective

sectionsofthismanual.


5/27

I. INTRODUCTION

A. BATTERIESalkaline not

included

B. ADAPTOR

Note:

C. MEMORY

The STAR DIAMOND offers an array of features including an extensive opening book of more than123,000 ply or option for active, passive, tournament or user programmable book. Amongst others, it alsohasa rating-system anda warning-systemwhichbeeps when youhavecommitted a blunder or when one ofyour pieces is threatened. The STAR DIAMOND is compatible with the NOVAG SUPER SYSTEM. Thiswill enableitsfullthoughtprocesses tobe recordedon a PC(mosttypes).We recommend that you read the instruction manual thoroughly in order to learn how to fully operate andenjoy your STAR DIAMOND. Section II on Playing the STAR DIAMOND, will provide you with basicinformation on getting started and on how to play a game of chess against your computer. After you arecomfortable with the basic functions, you will enjoy learning to use the many special features the STARDIAMOND offers.

The STAR DIAMOND runs on 4 x 1.5V UM-3 type, or size "AA" or heavy duty batteries (.A setof newalkalinebatteriesruns approximately50 hours (continuous operation).

: Before takingout/ replacing/ insertingbatteries, turn theunit offby movingtheON/OFF switch to the OFF position and unplug the adaptor. To replace/ insert batteries, unscrew thebattery door on the back of the unit and lift it off. To take batteries out, pull on the ribbon on which thebatteries are placed. To insert batteries, place them on the ribbon according to the correct polarity asindicatedby the+/- signs.

After removing/inserting batteries, push the battery door back into place and screw it to the unit. Do notplace any other object(s) in the battery compartment but the 4 x "AA" size batteries as described above and

remember, batteriesmust be removed when exhausted. Alwaysuse newalkalineor heavy duty batteries ofthe same type only never mix old and new batteries or batteries of different type, e.g. disposable andrechargeable batteries. Do not recharge non-rechargeable batteries. Remove rechargeable batteries fromthe chess computer before charging and charge rechargeable batteries under adult supervision only. Anybattery charger (for use with rechargeable batteries) or adaptor/ transformer should be examined regularlyfor potential hazards, such as damage to the cable or cord, plug, enclosure or other parts, and that, in theevent of such damage, the battery charger/ adaptor must not be used until that damaged part has beenproperly removed or repaired. Please also note that a battery charger/ adaptor is not a toy. If you do not useyour computer over a long period of time, please remove the batteries. Never short-circuit the unit, thebattery charger, or any other electrical appliance or any supply terminals.

TheNOVAG adaptor is notincludedwith yourset, but is availableseparatelyfrom yourdealer. Please notethat it is a d.c. 9V adaptor with 300 mA andit has a negative centre. If you cannot getthe NOVAG adaptor,please make absolutely sure that you do not buy an adaptor which does not have these specifications. If youuse a too powerful adaptor it might burn the components in your unit and automatically invalidates thewarranty. Before using the adaptor, check that the voltage of your electric mains is within the rangespecifiedon theadaptorlabel.Theadaptorsocket islocatedat thebackof thepanelof your computer.

Make sure you first connect the adaptor with the computer before you plug it into the mains andthat theunit isturned off beforeconnectingit tothe mains.

The STARDIAMOND hasa long term memoryand will retainthe last boardposition. However,makesurethat there are working batteries in the chess computer or an adaptor connected otherwise you will lose thememory contents.

IMPORTANTNOTICE

This chess computer is notintendedfor childrenunder 3 yearsold. Packing hasto be keptsince it contains importantinformation.


6/27

II. PLAYING THESTARDIAMOND

Stepl:

Step2:

Step3:

Step4:a1 a2 a3 f8

Step5:

[Error]

from toto

Note:

If you wish a quick game of chesswithout havingto useall thespecial functionsof theSTAR DIAMOND,youmay referto he followinginstructions:

Turnthe powerswitch (locatedat thebackof the unit) to the ON position (if you use anadaptor the batterieswill be automaticallydisabled).SETUP allthe chess pieces onthe chessboard in the openingPosition.

Press NEW GAME Key. When all the pieces are in their respective positions you will see[ ]ontheLCDandyouarenowreadytobegintoplayfortheWhiteside.If you want to increase the level of skill, press the SET LEVEL key and the squarecorresponding to the desired level ( , , , up to ). On the LCD display you will see anumber indicating the present levelset. (SeeIV.2for levelsettingand theirtime controls).Once you have set the level, press GO to exit the SET LEVEL mode. After this procedure youmay enter your move as White. Gently press down on the piece that you want to move and thetwo respective rank and file LEDs will light up. Then set the piece down onto the square youwish to move to and gently press down again. (Your completed move will be shown on theLCD). Once the STAR DIAMOND has registered your move it will immediately startcomputing its counter move if your move was a legal one. Illegal moves are not accepted andthe STAR DIAMOND will beep 3 times and show on the LCD. When executing acapturingmoveplease removethe capturedpiecefirstbefore moving your piece to that square.When theSTARDIAMONDis readyto moveit will beep andshow itsmoveon theLCDand atthesame time therankand file LEDs which correspond to this move will light up.For exampleif theSTARDIAMONDwishes tomakea movefrom E2to E4,the rank LED marked2 andthefile LED marked E will be lit. Execute this move for the computer by gently pressing on thepiece standing on the " " square. Now the " " square will light up. Pick up the piece on E2and move it to square E4 by pressing gently on the " " square to complete the move.Remember to remove the captured pieces first when making a capturing move for the STARDIAMOND.

If you wish to play the Black side, press NEW GAME then set up the pieces so that the Blackpieces are in front of you and the White pieces are on the opposite side of the board. When theSTARDIAMOND isready tostart the LCD shows [ ].Pressthe COLOURKey then

theGO Keyand theSTAR DIAMOND will make a move forWhite butplayingfromthe topofthe board. When indicating its move the display will show the correct algebraic notation (e.g.:E2E4) but the lights on the board will indicate different squares (e.g.: the move E2E4 willappear as D7D5). When using the computer with Black playing from the bottom of the boardalways readthe computer's moveby lookingat theindicatorlightsand notthe LCDdisplay.


7/27

III. GAME F EATURESa) Making Moves

Note:

b) CapturingAPiecex

ep

c) ImpossibleAndIllegalMoves

[Error]

d) Castling

e) En Passantfrom to

ep x

TheNOVAG STAR DIAMOND has a SENSOR-chessboard whichregisters all moves automatically whentheappropriate squares are gentlypressed. Movesto be executed for thecomputer are indicatedby the2x8rank and the file LEDs and on the LCD display. Each square on the chessboard is named according to thestandard adopted by the World Chess Federation (F.I.D.E.) which are the co-ordinates of each square froma1 to h8, allmoves arealso shown onthe LCD. To make your/the computer's move,gently press thefromsquarewith thechesspiecefirstand then theto square. The colour to move is indicatedby theLCD andawhitebox meansthatWhite isto movewhereasa solidblackboxwould indicatethatit isBlack'smove.

When the STAR DIAMOND is computing all key presses will be ignored except for the GO keywhichwill interruptits computation andforce thecurrent movebeinganalysedto be played at once.

IftheSTARDIAMONDmakesa capturing moveit willshow ontheLCDthesymbol " " and incasesof enpassant pawn captures it will also show " ". Please complete this move for the NOVAG STAR DIAMOND

andremovethe capturedpiecewithout applyingany pressure.If you wish tomakea capture, make themovenormallybut please remember to remove thecapturedpiece.

The STAR DIAMOND is programmed in accordance with the International Chess Rules and does notaccept nor make illegal moves. Corrections of illegal moves or mistakes in executing computer moves areverysimple.

If you try to make an illegal move, you hear 3 beeps and on the LCD display you will see thesign. Retract yourmove withoutpressingon anysquare.You can nowmake anotherlegal move.If youtry to move thewrongpiecewhen executinga computer move, youhear 3 beeps andthe rank andfile LEDs of the correct square will light up. To execute this move correctly, press gently on the squareindicated.

According to the rules of chess you must first move the King then the Rook to complete this move. TheSTAR DIAMOND will indicate all the squares that you will need to press. The computer accepts andexecutes castlingsin set-up positions(also seeOfficialRules of Chessfor moredetails).

Ifyoumake thisspecialpawn capture youonlyhavetoenter the " " and " " squaresofthis moveas inanormal move. Pleaserememberto removethe capturedpawnfrom theboard andto gentlypress that square.When the computer makes anen passant capture it willshowthewords " " along withan " " onthe LCD(alsosee Official Rules of Chess formore details).

!

!


8/27

f) PawnPromotion / UnderpromotionPro?

to Pro ?

g) Stalemate / Draw

[drStl][dr3rd][dr50][dr-ins]

h) CheckAndCheckmate

AtE

i) EarlyMateAnnouncements

nAtE2

j) Resignation

rESiGn

Note:

IV. MAJORFUNCTIONKEYS

1. NEW GAME Key

Note:

2. SET LEVEL Key

NUMBERINGSYSTEM FORTHE SELECTION OFPLAYINGLEVELONTHE CHESSBOARD

Ifoneofyour pawns reaches the 8thrank, the STARDIAMONDwill showthis message ontheLCD [ ]Press the appropriate Piece Symbol Key to enter your choice for promotion. WHEN THE STARDIAMOND PROMOTES, the LCD will show the piece that the STAR DIAMOND wishes to promote toandthesquare wherethispromotion takesplace. Exchangethe pawn with thepromoted pieceand putit ontothe lit " " square. WHENYOU PROMOTE, the LCD will show [ ] and you will have to press one ofthefourpossible PieceSymbol Keys to indicateyourchoice. Pleaseexchange your pawn with thepiece thatyouhave selected.

Adrawis announced onthe LCD with theappropriate message :nolegalmoves,butnot incheck, thereforedrawposition repeated 3 times50 moves madewithoutcaptureand pawnmoveinsufficientmaterialfor either sideto checkmate the other

Check announcements are made with the "+" sign on the right side of the move shown on the LCD.Checkmate willbeindicated ontheLCD with[n ].

The STAR DIAMOND will always announce mate if it sees it and will show the number of moves to mateon the LCD. Example : [ ]

The STAR DIAMOND will recognise positions where it is lost or seriously behind in material and willresign the game showing [ ] on the LCD. You may reject this resignation and play on but pleaseNOTE that the STAR DIAMOND will only resign once per game. When you are about to checkmate theSTAR DIAMOND, it willnot resign andspoil yourmomentof glory.

Ifeither side'stimerunsout,the LCD display will flash"FLAG"and youmaycontinue thegameby entering your next move.

The NEW GAME Key willresettheboard tothe startingpositionand the LCD shows [ ].Whenallthe pieces are set up in their starting position, you are ready to play. Press NEW GAME every time youswitchthecomputer on,or whenever you wish tocommence a newgame.

The SOUND, BOOK SELECT, RANDOM, LEVEL and column H options will remain thesame. EASYand REFEREEare turned off.

8 TR8 AT8 SD8 FD8 AN8 EA8 BE8 IN8








A B C D E F G H


9/27

Selectinga level:

a.TR AT SD FD

AN EA BE IN

b.

LE.At4

Note:

LEVEL CHART

The STAR DIAMOND has 8 different types of Levels and 64 unique time controls to suit every type ofplayers.You may enter different playing levels for WHITE and BLACK.Therearetwowaystoselectalevel:

By pressing the SET LEVEL Key as many times as necessary until the LCD shows the desired typeoflevel ( =TournamentLevel, =AverageTimeLevel, = SuddenDeath Level, = Fixed DepthLevel, = Analytical Level, = Novice Level, = Beginner Level, = Fixed Mate Level). To settherequiredlevel of eachlevel group pressthe correspondingsquare on the"A" through "H" column. Pleasereferto theLevelChartforthe meaning ofeachof the64 time controls.

A better alternative in setting the playing Level is by pressing gently any of the squarescorresponding tothe levelyou wish toset (LCD will show thelevel number). Forexampleif youwishto setlevelAt 4, press SET LEVEL and the square B4. On the LCD display you will see [ ] indicating thelevelwhichis setup.

Once youhave selected thedesired skill level press GO to exit this mode.You canalways check orchange the skill level during a game, however not whilst the computer is calculating. Changinglevel resetsthe clocks. If youswitch thecomputer offto continue your game at a later time or if youstarta newgame, thepreviouslysetskilllevel will beretained.

Level Square TimeControl Level Square TimeControl

TR 1 a1 40moves in5minutes AN 1 e1 9plysearch2 a2 40movesin15minutes 2 e2 10plysearch3 a3 40movesin30minutes 3 e3 11plysearch4 a4 40movesin60minutes 4 e4 12plysearch5 a5 40movesin90minutes 5 e5 13plysearch6 a6 40 movesin100minutes 6 e6 14plysearch7 a7 40movesin2hours 73 e7 15plysearch8 a8 40movesin2.5hours 8 e8 Infinitesearch

1plysearchwithcapturesearch:

AT 1 b1 2secondspermove EA 1 f1 1ply+2captures2 b2 5secondspermove 2 f2 1ply+3captures31

b3 10secondspermove 3 f3 1ply+4captures4 b4 15secondspermove 4 f4 1ply+5captures5 b5 30secondspermove 5 f5 1ply+6captures6 b6 1minutepermove 6 f6 1ply+7captures7 b7 2minutespermove 7 f7 1ply+8captures8 b8 3minutespermove 8 f8 1ply+9captures

Level Square TimeControl Level Square TimeControl

SD 1 c1 gamein3minutes BE 1 g1 2ply+2captures2 c2 gamein5minutes 2 g2 2 ply+3captures3 c3 gamein10minutes 3 g3 2ply+4captures4 c4 gamein15minutes 42 g4 2ply+5captures5 c5 gamein30minutes 5 g5 2ply+6captures6 c6 gamein1hour 6 g6 2ply+7captures7 c7 gamein1.5hours 7 g7 2ply+8captures8 c8 gamein2hours 8 g8 2ply+9captures

FD 1 d1 1plysearch IN 1 h1 matein12 d2 2plysearch 2 h2 matein23 d3 3plysearch 3 h3 matein34 d4 4plysearch 42 h4 matein45 d5 5plysearch 5 h5 matein56 d6 6plysearch 6 h6 matein67 d7 7plysearch 7 h7 matein78 d8 8plysearch 8 h8 matein8


10/27

Descriptionof level timecontrols:

TournamentLevel TR1 - TR8

Average TimeLevelAT1 -AT 8

SuddenDeathLevelSD1-SD8

FLAG

FixedDepthLevelFD1-FD8

AnalysisLevelAN1 -AN 8

NoviceLevelEA1 - EA8

BeginnerLevelBE1-BE8

Note:

FindMate Levelmate-in-1 to mate-in-8

nonE

For tournament time controls. All moves are pre-set which have to be played within a fixed time, e.g. 40moves in 120 min. (level 8 is the strongest). If you or the computer exceeds the specified time control, thegamewill be declared lost.

These levelsare to be used for casualplay. They allow you to enter theaverage responsetime permove forthecomputer. Thecomputer tends to playfaster during openingand endgames.

Forplayto thefinish.Thecomputer hasto finishitsgamewithin a giventime.If youor thecomputer exceedthe specified time control, the game will be declared lost (clocks count down to zero and LCD shows[ ] and 3 beeps towarn you ifyouoverstep). Ifyouwish you can continueto playandfinish the game.On the LCDdisplaythe totaltime usedwill be shown andwill count continuously.

Important for analysis purpose. The computer will only compute up to the depth selected. This provides ameans of limitingthe STAR DIAMOND playto suita widerange of opponent's abilities.

These levels providedeeper searchesfor moredifficult problems.

1 ply search with limited capture search. These levels provide a level of play even suitable for noviceplayers.

2 plysearch withlimitedcapturesearch.These levels providea levelof playfor mediate beginner.Allof theabove levelscan be modifiedby turning on theEASYmode (see section 17). This keepsthecomputerfrom searchingwhile youare thinkingand weakensits play.

On Find Mate levels the computer will find the shortest mate up to the stipulated depth. The Find Matelevelsuse a differentprogramthan thenormal playing levels. Thenormal playing levelswill generallyfinda check mate in any given position in less time, and generally in much less time than the Find Mate levels.

However, the normal playing levels do not guarantee that the check mate found is the matepossible. The following position illustrates this point. On Find Mate level 4, it takes the computer 40seconds to find Bxa7 and announce mate in 3 more moves. However, on the normal playing levels it takesthecomputer only 11seconds tofinde2-e4which isin this case a Mate-in-5moves!(Figure1.)

Figure1:Figure2:

On the other hand, the mate in 6 moves is found much faster by Find Mate level 6. (Figure 2.). Generallyexpect the Find Mate levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 to take a long time. If there is no mate in the stipulated number ofmoves the LCD display will show[ ].The solutionto thisposition is Rb8 and takes about 46secondsonFindMatelevel 6 buttakes a coupleof hourson regular search!

shortest


11/27


12/27

4. REFEREE Key

Note:

5. HINT Key

Note:

6. TRAINING Key

Step1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

7. TAKE BACK Key

Note:

This is a toggle function which allows the user to play a game on the computer with the computer onlychecking the legality of the moves and declaring DRAW, CHECK MATE, and STALE MATE. This is alsohowgames can be entered intothe computerto be analysed(see ANALYSEfunction).All games played canbe stored in one of the 16 games slots (see STORE GAME) or could be entered for processing to a PC (see

INTERFACE). The LCD display will show [rEF] where REFEREE is off and [rEF ] when REFEREE ison.The first press shows thecurrent statusof REFEREE.Pressthe REFEREEkey a second time withinthetwo seconds that the REFEREE message is on the LCD display to change that function. The REFEREEmodemay beselectedat anytime duringa game exceptwhile theSTARDIAMONDis computing.

TheSTARDIAMONDmay becalled uponto computefor thesideto move bypressingtheGO key.

The STAR DIAMOND can suggest moves if you are not sure how to continue your game. This is a greattutoringfeature.When pressingthe HINTkey youmay recallthe followinginformation:

Pressing the HINT key when it is your turn to move will show the move which the computer calculates asyour best move. Pressingthe GO keywhile thecomputer displaysthe first Hint, makes thecomputer acceptthis moveas though you playedit.

The displayedHintmove isthe move whichthe computer iscalculatingonwhenEASYis off.

When the computer is calculating, pressing the HINT key will cause the move which the computercalculates sofar best foritselfto bedisplayedon theLCDandalternatelyit will flashon theboard.Press HINT keyto display themove(s)beingconsidered by thecomputeras thebest line of play up to 9 ply(the display shows the "from" and "to" square of the considered move and [h int#], where # represents anumberfrom1-9showingthedepth ofthe move).

PressHINTto cyclethroughthe best line.PressCLEARto remove theHint display.PressGO when [hint1]is displayedduringthe human'sturnto play theHintmove onthe board.

This function is provided for the novice player. It could be useful for the novice player who is in check anddoes notknow what choices heor shehasto getoutof check.

Whenitisyourturntomovepressthe TRAININGkeyandthecomputerwillshowthe"from"square(indicatedontheLCD)ofthefirstpiecewithalegalmove.Ifyoucontinuetopressthe TRAININGkey,theSTARDIAMONDwillshowyouallpieceswithatleastonelegalmove. Youmaycyclethroughthisstepasoftenasyouwish. Whennomorepiecesareavailabletobelegallymoved,thenthedisplayshows:[].Once you have selected a piece, press GO to have this square accepted as though keyed in. If a"from" squarehas been entered then each press of theTRAINING keywillshow noweachlegal"to"squareby thispiece.If you accept the move as displayed, press the GO key and the computer will then make itscounter move. If you wish to make a move other than displayed, clear first the display bypressing the CLEAR key and then execute the move of your choice. Should you wish to go backtoStep 1,use the CLEAR key toreset the LCD display and thenpress the TRAININGkey togotoStep1.

Use thiskey toretract a bad moveor just try a different line ofplay. Wait until it isyour turnto move. Pressthe TAKE BACK key and the move to be taken back will be alternately flashed on display along with the

captured piece andsquare if any(remember to replace this piece). Press TAKEBACKseveral times to takeback multiple moves. When you reach the beginning of the current game the display will show [bEG in].Youdo not have to press thesquaresshown on theboard. To exit this mode press thesquare litor make yournext move or ask for the computer's next move by pressing the GO key. To clear the display press theCLEAR key.

If you select the COLOUR or SET UP function to alter the position of any of the pieces, all priormoves will be deleted and you may not TAKE BACK moves before the change of colour orposition. If no moves are in the game history the LCD will show [bEG in].

ONYOURMOVE:

WHILECOMPUTING:

!

!

!

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13/27

8. TRACEFORWARDKey

9. RESTORE(GAME) Key

bEGin

Note:

10. COLOUR K ey

Note:

11. CLEAR/ CLEARBOARDKey

LEArn

rAnd EASY

12. VERIFY Key

Ver

Set

PieceSymbolKeys

This keyis mainlyused fortracing forward allmovesafterusingthe TAKEBACK or RESTORE function.Every press of this key will replay a move of the current game until all moves in memory have beenreplayed.This isindicated bythe word [End] onthe LCD. Youdo not have topressthesquaresshownon theboard. Toclear the display press the CLEARkey.

Pressing this key will immediately make the computer go to the first move of the game. The LCD displaywill show [ ] to indicate the beginning of the game history. You may then use the complementaryfunctionkey TRACE FORWARDto stepthroughthe gamemove by move.

If youplay anymove on theboardduring theRESTOREor TAKEBACK function, this will cleartheremaininggamehistory.

Thiskey hasdifferent functions:

When inVERIFY or SETUPmodethis keychangesthe colourfor theentry or verificationof theboardposition.Press theCOLOUR keyafterpressingNEWGAME keyat thestartof a newgameto reverse theboardwith Whiteplayingdown theboard.Rememberto setup theWhitepieces onthe topof theboardand theBlackpiecesin frontof you.In thiscase disregardthe notations along thechessboard.

Keysequence:NEW GAME COLOUR GOThe COLOUR key can be pressed at any time during a game and the colour to move will be reversed.Any moves made prior to pressing this key will be erased and the game history will begin with thisposition.Whenin SETLEVELmodethiskey will allowthe setting ofseparatelevelsfor WhiteandBlack.

When the STAR DIAMOND plays WHITE the display will show the correct algebraic notation(e.g.: E2E4) but the lights on the board will indicate different squares (e.g.: the move E2E4 willappearas D7D5).Whenusing thecomputer with Black playing from thebottomof theboard alwaysreadthe computer's moveby lookingat theindicator lights andnot theLCD display.

Thiskey hasdifferent functions:

When in SET UP mode the CLEAR BOARD key will clear the entire board to make setting up apositioneasier.

When in LEVEL mode and while the LEARNING message [ ] is on display, this key willclear all the current learned positions from the computer memory. When the CLEAR BOARD key ispressed at all other times, it will act as a clear entry key.

For example: If there are messages on the LCD display like [ ], [ ] etc. you can clearthemby pressingthis key.If you start entering a move and wish to cancel it you may press this key to clear the LCD display andstart over again.It will also clear thechessboardof anylit squares, forexample after thecomputer hasmoved or during TAKE BACK or TRACE FORWARD. Pressing the key will clear the LCD displayback to [ ] showing the symbol of the colour to move.

Thiskey hasa double function:

1. On the first press you will enter theVERIFY mode and the LCD will show [ ]. To exit press theGO key.

2. Onthe secondpress you willenter the SETUPmode andtheLCD willshow[ ].To exitpress the

GOkeyAt anypoint in a game or after enteringa boardpositionyoucan check theposition ofany numberof pieces.Youcan also checkeach squareto seeif itis occupiedand bywhichpiece. Inthis modethereare twowaystoverify thepositionof pieces.

1. Choose t he p iece(s)t o be v erified v ia t he one a ftert he o thera nd a s often a s needed.The piece symbol and its square position appears on display and the rank and file LEDs of thecorresponding squarewill light up accordingly. If there are nopieces or no more pieces(to be verified)on the board the display will just show the symbol of the piece and the right side of the LCD will beblank.

!

!

!

!

!

!

!

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14/27

2. Press anysquare andcheckthe information on display. If thesquare is occupied,the piece symbol, thecorrect colour sign and the corresponding square position will appear on the LCD. If the square is notoccupied,you onlysee thesquare positionbut notthe piecesymboland itscolour on display.

You may exit this mode any time by pressing the GO key. Enter now your next move or call off a move forthe computer.

This mode isdesignedto enableyou toset upboardpositionsto solve chessproblemsor toset handicapsbyremoving or entering a piece, as well as changing the positions of pieces. In SET UP mode the computer'slegalitycheckas tothe movementof piecesis disabledand you canenter,removeor changepositionsof anypiece. However you cannot set up an incorrect position, e.g. play without both Kings or with more than oneKing foreach colour . . . etc. If youexitthe SETUPmodewith anillegal position, youwillhearthreebeepsand the [ ] sign will be on display. Use VERIFYmode to see what is illegal about the position. Thecomputer will acceptand execute castlings, pawn promotionand en-passant captures if you play from a setupboard position.

All previous stated moves are cancelled as soon as you enter the SET UP mode. To enter this modepress the SET UP / VERIFY key twice or if you are already in the VERIFY mode once. You will see

the word[ ] ondisplay. To exitthis modepresstheGOkeyorchangetotheVERIFYmode.

Pressthe SETUP key.To remove a piecejustpressontothesquareon whichit presentlystands.To clearthe entireboard ofall piecespress theCLEARBOARDkey.To endthismode pressthe GOkey orchange totheVERIFYmodeto checkthe newboard position.

Pressthe SETUP key, ifyou arenotyet inthe SETUPmode.To enter a piece, first make sure that the colour symbol at the bottom of the LCD display is correct. Ifnot, pressthe COLOURkeyto change this.Next,press thekeywiththe symbol ofthe pieceyou wish toenter, then press thesquare where youwishto place this piece. Enteringan occupiedsquare clearsthatsquare andselectsthat pieceas thecurrent pieceand colour.

: Ifa White Pawnison E2andthe userwishes toplaceWhiteKnight onE2, press squareE2to clear the square first, then select the White Knight and finally press square E2 again

andplace thepiece onthe square.To movea piecefrom one squareto another,simplypressthepresentlocationof thepiece that you wishtomove. Next pressthe squarethatyouwishto movethispieceto.To setup a board positionclear theboardby pressing theCLEAR BOARD key. Selectthe piecesto beentered viathe piecesymbolkey thenenter thesquare. Change thecolour wheneverrequired.To endthismode pressthe GOkey.

After havingleft theSET UPmode, if a changeof colouris required,pressthe COLOURkey.You may now enter a move for the indicated colour or make the computer move by pressingtheGO key.

The NOVAG STAR DIAMOND has four different sound settings, which will be indicated on the LCDdisplay.A) Setting 1 (Sound ): Therewillbe noacousticsignalsat all.

b) Setting 2 (Sound ) : There will be an acoustic signal only when the computer answers with itscounter-move.

c) Setting 3 (Sound= ) : There will be an acoustic signalwhen pressing anykey andwhen thecomputer

oryoumakeamove.d) Setting 4 (Sound ) : The same sound setting as mentioned under c) and in addition this option turnson the WARNING feature, where the computer will indicate when one of yourpieces is threatened. You will hear a double beep and the position of threatenedpiece will be on display.

Press the SOUND key to display thecurrent sound setting. Press theSOUND key within2 secondsto change the sound setting. The SOUND setting mode will be terminated automatically after 2seconds.

13. SET UP Key

Error

Note:

Set

a. Removinga piece/ clearingthe entireboard

b. Enteringor moving a piece/ setting upa boardposition

Example

Note:

14. SOUND Key

Note:

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15. INFO Key

First

Second

Third

Example

Fourth

Note:

Therotatingdisplayshowsthe current search status whilethe computeris calculating:

Note:

16. NEXT B EST Key

Note:

17. EASY Key

[EASY ]

[EASY]Note:

18. RANDOM K ey

rAnd

rAnd- rAnd= rAnd

rAndNote:

This key provides information on the current game as it progresses and has a rotational display to showmany messages.

press on the INFO key shows the clock of the side to move. On display you will see the message[totAL] for1 secondandthecolour symbolof thesidewhose clockis beingshown.

press on the INFO key shows the clock of the side not to move, [totAL] and the colour symbolwillbe displayed).

press on the INFO key shows the score [ScorE] for the current side to move. This gives you someideaof howthe computerthinksyou standin thecurrent position.

: If the computer sees that it can force a mate, the display will show the mating depth as [n

03],which means a mate-in-3.Disadvantageousevaluationsare marked witha " " sign. For

exampleif thecomputer sees you orit isgoingtobe matedthenthe score couldbe [ n 03].press on the INFO key will show the current move count. The display will show [count] and the

colour symbol.

Use the CLEAR key to clear the INFO display. When the computer is calculating the display willshow either the rotating display or one of the above INFO displays. To get back to the rotatingdisplaypress theCLEAR keyagain.

The time spenton this searchso farThe first 3 plyof thelineof play thecomputer calculates thegamewillfollowfromthispointThecomputer's evaluationof thepositionThecurrentsearch depthThe numberof legalmovesremainingto searchandthe totalnumberof legalmoves.

Eachdisplaystaysfor 2 seconds.

Key Sequence: LEVEL NEXTBEST (take backmove asindicated)

This feature enables you to check if another good move is possible to play instead of the one just played.After you have taken back the last move indicated, the STAR DIAMOND will immediately begincomputingtheNextBestmovethatis availablein theposition. Ifsucha move isfoundit will beplayed.

To activate this function press LEVEL then NEXT BEST key to have the STAR DIAMOND generate the

move the computer considers to be second best in the position. The LCD and the LEDs on the chess boardwill indicate whichmovehas tobe takenback.Whenyouhavetakenbackthe move,the STARDIAMONDwillbegin calculating thebest alternativemove.

If anyof theFindMatelevels areset, then this wouldbe thesameas searchingfor 'cooks'.After pressingtheNEXT BEST key the computer will prompt for you to take the last move back. You may press the CLEARkey. Then the computer will calculate of another alternative. You may continue this process for up to 8alternative moves.

Thisfunctiononly worksif thereis atleastonemoveplayedin thecurrentgame.

The NOVAG STAR DIAMOND always uses the opponent's time to compute its best response which isquite an advantage as it will sometimes reply instantly (even if the move appears difficult) since it haspredicted your move and completed its assessment of your move. To disable this advantage please use the

EASY key. To activate this mode press EASY twice and you will see the message on the LCD

and ifturnedoff you willsee . Thiskey actsasa togglewithalternate key presses turning itONandOFF. Thisfeatureis automaticallydisabledwhentheNEWGAMEkeyhasbeenpressed.

Every time you switch the computer on, the move with the highest rating is automatically chosen. This isbased on the depth of search which is determined by the set level. This is always the case after the opening isfinished. However, this may not always provide the desired variety. There are 4 options with RANDOM.The default is [ ] which means little randomness and will generally make the computer play its very

best.The next options designated as [ ], [ ] and [ ] , make the computervary its play more

andmore.The[ ] will provide quitevaried gamesbut thecomputerwillplaysomewhatweaker.Press the RANDOM key to select one of the four Random levels. The RANDOM setting modewillbe terminatedautomatically after2 seconds.

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1 9. B OO K S EL EC T K ey

nor

Pro

nor Pro [Pro nor .[nor Pro]

[Pronor]

20. SAVEGAMEKey

[SAVE]

Note:

21. LOAD G AME K ey

Note:

V. PRO-OP BOOK(ProgrammableOpeningBook):

22. PRO-OPSAVEKey (thisfunction requiresa PC)

[REF ]

Note:

Thismodeis usedto tellthe computerwhether you wish tousejusttheR

n rO p

iThe default mode is [ ] which means the computer will only look into its

The second option shown as [ ] on the LCD means the computer will only search the PRO-OPBookfor its opening moves and willignoreits normal built in openingbook.The third option allows the computer to use both, the

. ] or ]Selecting option makes the computer search the normal built in opening book first for itsnext move and only if it does not find a solution it will search the user programmable opening book.Selecting reversesthecomputer'ssearch.

This function saves a game to thecomputer's memoryor erasesa game from itsmemory. It allowsup to 16games to be saved. Pressing the SAVE GAME key when it is your turn to move allows you to enter theSAVE GAME menu. The LCD display will show and the LEDs on the left hand side of the boardwill light upandcycle fromrow 1-8 for a few seconds. If any gamehas already beensaved toone ofthe 16squares onthe chessboard,thenthe rowandcolumnLEDsforthatsquare will also lightup.

To save a game pressany free squareduring thecycleto save thegamehistoryon that square.AfterthatsquarehasbeenpressedtheLCDdisplaywill show[ ] and the savegame menuwill beturned off.If yousavea game ona squarewhich storesalreadyanother game, theprevious storedgamewillbe lostfor ever.To erase a saved game, press NEW GAME, then the SAVE GAME key and the respective square ofwhich the game history is to be erased. Pressing the CLEAR key during the LED cycle will cause theSAVE GAMEfunction to be terminated.

The SAVE GAME function only works when the game starts from a New Game position. Youcannot save a game ifyou arein SetUp mode.Additionalgamescanalsobe storedin your PC.

Thisfunction loads a gamestoredin memory.Always pressNEWGAME before loadinga game.Now press LOAD GAME and like in SAVE GAME mode the respective LEDs will light up to showwhichsquareshave savedgamesstored.Just press any square which has a game stored and the game will be loaded into the game history andthen itwillbe tracedto thefinal position.Youcan now useVERIFYto setup thechess pieces. To getbackto thebeginningof thegamejustpressRESTORE.Pressthe CLEAR keyduringthe LEDcycle to terminateLOAD GAMEfunction.

LOAD GAME works only from a NewGame position. Youcannot load a game if youare inSetUp mode.All clockinformationis savedor restoredduring theSAVE/LOAD GAMEfunction.

ThePro-Op Bookis theuser programmableopeningbook.

Press NEW GAME REFEREE ON thenplay the moves you wantto savein the opening book.Once you getto theendof themove line pressthe PRO-OPSAVEkey tosaveyourentry.

This function saves anyopeninglinesto theuser programmable opening book. This functionis thesameasthe PRO-OP PRIORITY function, with the only difference that the new opening moves are saved at thelowestpriority whichmeanseachnewentrywillbe storedat theendof thealreadyenteredopening books.

PressNEWGAMEkey

Switch on Referee modeEnter openingmovesPressPRO-OPSAVEkey

No Set Up positions or colour to move changes are allowed before a PRO-OP SAVE entry. Thecurrentlyplayedgame historyis saved in theuser programmableopeningbook.

normalbuiltin opening book orif you wish to use your own programmable opening book. efer to PRO-OP Book function for morei formation how to enter your book into the compute . Once you have entered some moves into yourPRO- P Book, you may selec t the order in which the com uter will scan through the two openi ngbook s f o r t s m o v e s .

normal built ino p e n i n g b o o k .

normal built in opening book and the userprogrammable opening book You may now choose between the option [

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23. PRO-OPPRIORITYKey (this functionrequires a PC)

[REF ]

Note:

24. PRO-OPPRINTKey (this functionrequires aPC)

Note:

25. PRO-OPDELETEKey (thisfunctionrequiresa PC)

[REF ]

dEL?

Note:

VI. OPTION-IFUNCTION

Note:

26. *PRINTMOVES

[intEr ]

27. *AUTO C LOCK

[autcl ] [autcl]

28. AUTO/DEMO

[auto ] dEno

Note:

This function allows the user to save the user programmable opening book at the highest priority, whichmeanseachnew entrywillbe placedin frontof allstoredopeningbooks.

PressNEWGAMEkey

Switchon Referee modeEnteropening bookmovesPressPRO-OPPRIORITYkey

No Set Up position or colour to move changes are allowed before a PRO-OPPRIORITY entry.

Thisfunction prints theuser's programmableopeningbookvia the

Press NEWGAMEkey PRO-OPPRINTkeyPRO-OP PRINT only works from a New Game position and at least one programmable openingbook move must have been saved via PRO-OP SAVE or PRO-OP PRIORITYfunction.

Thisfunctiondeletesone or all opening linesfrom the userprogrammableopeningbook. To delete openingmoves proceed as follows:

PressNEWGAMEkey

Switchon Referee modeenterthe completeopeninglinePress PRO-OP DELETE Pressing PRO-OP DELETE key will show on display [ ]. PressPRO-OP DELETEagain to confirm thatyou wishto delete these openinglines.

TodeleteyourentirePRO-OPBOOKpressNEWGAME PRO-OPDELETEkey .

If youhavestoredmore PRO-OPbookscontaininge2-e4openinglines youmaydeleteALLof theseopening lines starting with e2-e4 by pressing NEWGAME REFEREEmodeON entering e2-e4and then pressing PRO-OP DELETE . Press CLEAR to avoid deleting the line after pressingPRO-OPDELETE

The following functions can be accessed by pressing OPTION-I/II followed by the appropriate key.Wheneverthis functionis activated pressGO to returnto theplayingmode.

All functions marked * only apply when the STAR DIAMOND is connected to an IBMcompatible PC.

This function determines to send moves to theinterface whilstthe game is in progress.The LCDwill show

when moveswillbe sent tothe interface.

Activating this function will select AUTO CLOCK on or off. The LCD will show or .WhenAUTO CLOCKis on, thecomputerwillsendthe clocktimesof both players tothe interface.

Pressingthis keyallows theuser to select either mode.

AUTOPLAYisshownonLCD as andDEMO as[ ]. IfeitherAUTOPLAYorDEMOmode is selected, press the GO key and the computer will begin to play against itself from the currentposition and at the preset level. All moves are executed automatically by the computer and shown ontheLCD display. You maykeeptrackof thegame bymaking themoves on theboardwithoutapplyingpressure.

At the conclusion of the game the DEMO setting will allow the computer to play against itselfcontinuously (at the end of a game the computer will start with another new game), whereas inAUTOPLAYmodethecomputerwillplayup tothe conclusion ofthe game (1gameonly).Pressthe GOkey orNEWGAMEkeywillexitAUTOPLAYor DEMOmode.

Pressingany keyduring theAUTOPLAY / DEMO or REPLAY modewill cause therepeat cycleto end. To speed up the opening during AUTOPLAY / DEMO or getting to a certain position inthe game, press REPLAY and then press TRACE FORWARD key up to the required position,thenpress theCLEAR key.

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29. *HUMAN M ODEhunAn

30. *VIDEO M ODEVidEo

31. REPLAY

Note:

32. *PRINTGAME (immediate action)

33. *PRINTBOARD (immediate action)

VII. OPTION-II FUNCTION

34. HASHTABLES (RefereeKey)

hASh

35. SELECTIVESEARCH(SoundKey)

SEL

36. PASSIVEBOOK (Book SelectKey)

[PASS ]

37. ACTIVEBOOK(RestoreKey)

[Act ]

38. OPENINGBOOK(Random Key)[bH]

39. LEARN(EASYKey)

LEArn

Pressing this key will show [ ] on the LCD and this means the format of the information sent to theinterfaceis morereadablefor thehuman player.

When this key is pressed, the LCD will show [ ] which means the format of information sent by thecomputerto the interfaceis compatible withthe NOVAG TVinterface.

Using this function will cause the current game to be set back to the beginning and be played forward witheach move flashing3 timesas itis played. Pressthe CLEARkey toterminate this function.

When using the REPLAY function in connection with the NOVAG interface, type "CtrlS" to pause,"CtrlS" toresume and"CtrlC"to exit replay.

Pressingthiskeywillsendthe current game tothe interface.

Pressingthis keywill sendthe current positionto the interface.

The following functions can be accessed by pressing OPTION-1/2 followed by the appropriate key.Pressingthis keyagain within 2 seconds willtogglebetweenOPTION-Ior OPTION-IIfunctions.

The default modeis [ ] which means HashTables on. Using HashTables isa technique which allowsthe computer to search much deeper into many positions, especially in the end game. For example thefollowingwell known endgamepositiontakesthe computerabout28 seconds to find thecorrect solution=moveKB1!.With HashTables turned offthis would takeperhapsmany hoursto find!

The default mode is [ ] which means Selective SearchON. Normally the Selective Searchallows thecomputer to find combinations much faster than a Brute Force Search. Selective Search ON should playabout 120ratingpoints stronger thanhavingSelective SearchOFF.

Turning on Passive Book will make the computer prefer to play certain opening book lines thatare morepassivein nature.

TurningontheActive Book willmake the computerpreferto playcertainopeningbook lines which

aremoreactivein nature. BothActiveand Passive Bookmay beon atthe same time!

Turning off the opening book will disable both the normal built in opening book and the PRO-OPbook.

Turning Learn mode on [ ] will allow the computer to learn from some of its mistakes. When thecomputer plays a move in which it becomes worse off, it will remember the position and how deeply itsearched intothe position. Whenit comes to thisposition againit willrememberthat things turned outbadly

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and will try and find a different move to play. To clear all remembered positions, press the CLEAR key

while the LCD shows [ ] The display willthenshow [cLEAr] toindicate thatyouhave cleared thecurrent learningtable.

The chess playing program in your computer uses a number of intelligent heuristics to direct the search tolook deeper into relevant positions and to try to resolve tactical skirmishes. Turning off this mode willdisables the Extension possibility. This makes the search faster in most positions but means the computermaymiss someimportant tactical threat.

Thisfunction is mainly providedfor theauthorised NOVAG service technician.Pressingthe TAKEBACKkey twice will cause theinternal test tobe performedwhich checksthe hardwareof your computer and reports any problems to the interface. Do not be alarmed when the LEDs and LCDbehave erratically for a few seconds while the tests are being performed. This is because all the memory isbeing tested which affects the operation temporarily of the LEDs and LCD.

ThisfunctioncanbeaccessedbypressingSET LEVEL keyfollowedbytheSAVEGAMEkey.

: To make useof this functionyourSTARDIAMONDhas tobe connectedto a PC.By using this feature you can ask the NOVAG STAR DIAMOND to play through a game in memory andsuggestalternative moves. Thecomputer can be setto analyse forWhite, Blackor bothcolours.Thisfunction offers 4 choices:1. Thedefaultmodeis whichmeansnoanalysis.2. Pressing the SAVE GAME key again will show [ which means the White moves will be

analysed.3. Anotherpresswillshow whichmeanstheBlackmoveswillbe analysed.4. Finallyanotherpresswillshow[ whichmeansbothsideswillbeanalysed.Use the ANALYSE function after a game has been played against the computer or after entering your owngame using the REFEREE function.Thenselectthe level at which youwish each move to be analysed andthen selectthe colourfor which you wish thecomputer toanalyse thegame. PressGO toexit this mode.Thecomputerwill startnow withthe analysis.

Thecomputer will analyse each move andsendtheresultsto theinterface.You maystoptheanalysisby pressing the GO key while the last move is being displayed. Now press SET LEVEL and thenSAVE GAME until is shown on the LCD. In this way your game will not be lost in thegame history and you will still be able to use the TRACE FORWARD and TAKE BACK keys afteryouexit thisfunction.

Byusingthisfeature you canask your NOVAG STARDIAMONDto rate your game accordingto theFIDEELOrating system. Press theOPTION-1/2 key andthenpressthe RATING keyto obtain thecurrentrating. The STAR DIAMOND will assign you with 1400 ELO points (shown on the LCD as tostartwithand your ratingwillbe adjustedwhilst you areplayinggames.

Pressthe GOkey.Pressthe CLEAR key.

Press the key with the Pawn symbol. A game can only be rated under the followingconditions: the STAR DIAMOND must have resigned or there must be a draw or mate condition,

otherwise you willhear 3beeps and the [ ] signwillbe displayed.Press the key with the Knight symbol. The STAR DIAMOND will only consider a

draw based upon your current ratingand score.You canonly claim a game as a draw position after 20moveshavebeenplayed.TheLCDwillshow[ ]if adrawisnotaccepted.

Press thekey with theBishop symbol to askthe STAR DIAMOND to rate this gameasa losinggame.

To qualify fora game ratingthe STAR DIAMOND must play oneand only one side (blackor white)and no moves to be taken back are allowed. The rating system used here is similar to the US ChessFederation two tiered formula. The first tier is suitable for new players and enables rapidadvancement.

LEArn .

40. EXTENSION (TraceForwardKey)

41. *TEST(TakeBackKey)

VIII. ANALYSISFUNCTION

42. *ANALYSE (Save GameKey)

Note

[AnALY]AnALY _ ]

[AnALY ]AnALY ]

Note:

[AnALY]

43. GAMERATING(RatingKey)

[rt 1400])

To operate thisfunctionproceedas follows:To exitthe RATINGfunction:To reset the RATINGfunction to 1400ELO points:To rate a game:

ErrorTo offer a draw:

rEJECtResigna game:

Note:

IX. GAMERATING FUNCTION

once

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Thefirst tierformula:

Thesecond tierformula:

Win: (((PELO x G) + (OELO + 400)) (G + 1))Draw: (((PELO x G) - (OELO + 0)) (G + 1))Loss: (((PELO x G) + (OELO - 400)) ( G + 1))

New players only stay in this tier for the first 20 games then they move up to the second tier which will stopthedramatic changes andstand tosettle down tothe actualrating.Win: (PELO - ((OELO - PELO) x 0.04) + 16)Draw: (PELO - ((OELO - PELO) x 0.04) + 0)Loss: (PELO - ((OELO - PELO) x 0.04) - 16)

"PELO" standsforPlayersELO."OELO": standsfor OpponentsELO and"G": standsfornumberofgamesplayed

The LCD display of the NOVAG STAR DIAMOND has a 6-digit display. The listed symbols below areusedon the display.

1. Figures

2. Lettersand symbols

THE DISPLAY

1 = Indication for the colour 5 = Symbol for En Passant2 = 6-digit display 6 = Symbol for Stalemate/Draw3 = Separation f or t ime i ndication 7 = Symbol f or Check/Checkmate4 = Symbols for chess pieces 8 = Symbol for captured figures

AllLCDdisplaysshowing3bars indicatethatafunctionisONorthefunctionisnowatvalue3.

Note:

A. LCDDisplayoftheStar Diamond

Symbolsofthechesspiecesonthedisplay

Note:

X. LCD DISPLAY OF THE NOVAG STAR DIAMOND/ EXAMPLES &

EXPLANATIONS

A B C D E F G H I K L M N

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1

2

Pawn

Knight

Bishop

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B. EXAMPLES & EXPLANATIONS

ThefollowingareexamplesofthemostimportantdisplaysoftheNOVAGSTARDIAMOND.

Thisdisplayindicatesthatthecomputerisreadyanditsyour moveorthemovefor White.

.

Displayafterinputofthefirsthalfmove,thelocationwhere youwishtomoveFROM.

Displayafterinputofthedestinationsquarethatyouwishtoplay TO.

Displayofthecomputer'scounter-move.

INFO-Display:ShowsthetotaltimeusedsofarforBlack,whilethecomputeriscomputing.

INFO-Display: Thecomputer'scountermove.

INFO-Display: TheSTARDIAMONDexpectsthismoveafterthepreviousb8c6.

INFO-Display:Onc1e3thiswouldbethecomputer'sreply.

INFO-Display:ScoreforBlackcurrentlybeingcomputed.

INFO-Display:Numberofhalfmovesthecomputerhassearchedsofar.

INFO-Display:Outof43variationstherearestill39tocompute.

INFO-Display: Thedisplayforthescoringisselectedandwillappearafter1second.

INFO-Display:Positionevaluationfor White,anditis Whitetomove.

INFO-Display:Showsthatthetotaltimefor Whiteisselectedandwillappearafter1second.

INFO-Display:Showsthetotaltimeusedby Whitesofar.

INFO-Display:ShowsthatthetotaltimeforBlackisselectedandwillappearafter1second.

INFO-Display:ShowsthetotaltimeusedsofarforBlack.

INFO-Display: Thedisplayforthenumberofmovesisselectedandwillappearafter1second.

INFO-Display:Showsthetotalnumberofmovesmadesofar.


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Thepieceonsquared4getscapturedduringBlack'smovesc5xd4.

Anyillegalmoveorinputwill beindicatedbytheERRORmessage.

TheSTARDIAMONDresignsthegame.

Showstheannouncementforadraw,duetostalemate.

Showsadrawwith3timerepetitionoftheposition.

Showsadrawaccordingtothe50moverule.

Drawduetoinsufficientmatingmaterial(seeF.I.D.E.Rules).

Theannouncementofacheckmate.

The VERIFY-Functionisselectedandyoumayverifythe positionofanypieceontheboard.

TheSET UP-Functionisselectedandyoumayremoveoraddanychesspiecetomakeupanewposition.

TheuseoftheCLEARkeyisconfirmed.

A BlackRookissetuponsquarea8byusingtheSET UP-Function.

The AUTOPLAY FunctionisonandtheSTARDIAMONDwillstartplayingitselfafterpressingGO.

TheREFEREE-FunctionisactivatedbypressingtheREFERREEkey.

TheSOUNDisswitchedoff.

TheRANDOMFunctionisactivated.

TheEASY Modeisactivated.

Thecomputerasksintowhichpieceyourpawnwillbepromoted/under-promoted.

TheStarDiamondwishestopromoteitspawnwhichhasjustmovedontothesparea1andrequestarookinitsplace.


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ShowsthatthegameissetbacktothebeginningofthegamebyactivatingtheRESTOREkey.

Thelastmoveofthegamehasbeenmade,therearenoothermovesstoredinthememory.

TheSET LEVEL keyhasjustbeenpressed. Youwillseetheselectedlevelafter1second.

Tournamentlevel1hasbeenselectedandisnoweffective.

Average Timeplayinglevel2hasbeenselectedandisnoweffective.

SuddenDeathplayinglevel4hasbeenselectedandisnoweffective.Clockswillcountdowntozerotime.

FixedDepthplayinglevel2isselectedandnoweffective. Thecomputerwillonlyanalyseeverymoveforonly2halfmoves.

Analysislevel3isselectedandisnoweffective.

Easylevel5isselectedandisnoweffective.

Noviceplayinglevel4isselectedandtheSTARDIAMONDwillplayweaker.

A mate-in-4isenteredbyusingtheSOLVEMATEFunction.

Black'sPawnmovewasfromh4andcapturesonthesquareg3andannouncescheck.

TheNEXT BEST Functionhasbeenselectedandyouwillbepromptedtotakebackthelastmove.Computingwillthenbegin.

Thecomputerannouncesamate-in-1,thegameislostforyou.

Timeout.

The AUTOPLAY functionisontheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDwillstartplayingitselfafterpressingtheGOkey.

Interfaceautoclockhasbeenturnedon.

TheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDpromptsforyourconfirmationtodeleteuserprogrammableopeningbook.

Youhaveselectedtheinterface ANALYSEGAMEoptionforbothWhiteandBlackcolour.

TheDEMOfunctionisonandtheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDwill

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MoveswillbesenttotheINTERFACEastheyareplayedonthechessboard. .

INTERFACEHUMANmodehasbeenselected.

INTERFACE VIDEOmodehasbeenselected.

Thebuiltinopeningbookisselected.

Theuserprogrammableopeningbookisselected.

Bothbooksasabovebutthebuiltinopeningbookwillbelookedatfirst.

Bothbooksasabovebuttheuserprogrammableopeningbookwillbelookedatfirst.

TheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDshowsyouthefirstHINT.

ToselecttheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDHash TableGenerationfunction.

ToselecttheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDselectivesearch.

CertainopeningbooklineswhicharemorePASSIVEinnaturehasbeenselected.

Certainopeningbooklineswhicharemore ACTIVEinnaturehavebeenselected.

TheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDwillconsulttheopeningbook.

TheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDlearningmodeishasbeenselected.

TheextensivesearchalgorithmwillbeemployedbytheNOVAGSTARDIAMOND.

TostarttheNOVAGSTARDIAMONDself-testfunction.


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XI. TROUBLESHOOTING

XII. TECHNICAL DATA AND FEATURES

All NOVAG computersare extensively tested before leaving the factory to ensure trouble free performance.However,if youencounter anyproblems during play, please checkthe followinglist firstbeforecalling yourdealeror sending itin forrepair.

If the computer is powered by batteries, check if they have sufficient charge, always use heavy duty oralkalinebatteriesfor reliable performance.Checkif theadaptorplugsitsproperly inthe socket, as tightas possiblewithminimalmovement. If thisisloose itmay interruptthepower supplytothe STARDIAMOND.Checkthat thesmall adaptor plugthat connectsto theSTARDIAMONDis fullyinserted.Checkthe operatingvoltageof youradaptorto see if it matchesyour localpowersupply.Checkif yourpower supply fluctuatesby morethan 10%as thismay causeirregular performance.

Switch offthe chesscomputer anddisconnect thepower supply.Turnthe STARDIAMONDoverand you will find a hole markedRESETwitha switchin it.Usea thin instrument (ballpen)to pokeintothisholeandholdit for5-10seconds.This will reset theinternal memoryof theSTARDIAMOND andall games storedand thePro-OpBookwillbe erased.

Use thiskeysequence: VERIFY/ SETUP CLEARBOARD (pressanysquare) NEWGAMEUse your finger and press onevery square one after the other,to check if the LCD display the rank andfile LEDs indicating the squares pressed are correct. If any of the squares do not light up you shouldsend yourset toyourdealer forreplacement ofthe faultyLED.

Usethiskeysequence: SETLEVEL(testallsquares) NEWGAMEUse your finger and press on every square one after the other. You should hear 2 beeps and the LCDshould show the level number of the square that you have activated. If any of the squares has noresponse.Please contact yourdealerfor repairs.

Microprocessor RISC Processor

Program Size 512 K Byte ROM, 256K Byte RAM

Hash -Table Size 118K Byte

System Clock Speed 25 MHz

Power Consumption 1.3 WMax., 150mA Max.

Battery 4 x1.5V, UM-3 or size "AA" (alkaline batteries)

Adaptor 9V d.c. rating 300mA

LCD Display and Information LCD Yes

Novag Super System Connection Yes

Playing Levels 64

To Make a Move 64 Touch Sensors

Showing Move LCD / LEDs

Opening Book Size (ply) >> 123,000

Maximum Opening Book Depth 60 ply

Programmable Opening Moves 3,000 plyGame and Opening Memory Yes

Games can be saved up to 64 games

Take Back Move up to 400 ply

Set Up / Verify Function Yes

Solves Mate most mate - in - 8

Mate Announcement up to mate - in - 14

Depth of Search 28 ply

1. YOURCOMPUTERDOESNOT WORK:

2. ALLLEDSLIGHTUPAND THECOMPUTER IS COMPLETELYBLOCKED:

3. ONEOF THELEDSDOESNOT LIGHT UP:

4. ONESQUAREDOESNOT REGISTER A MOVE:

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Shows Depth (in ply) Yes

Strategy of Endgame Yes

Special Learning Function Learning up to 140 position.

Random Generator Yes

Restore Function Yes

Replay of Game Yes

Autoplay Yes

Shows Score and can Resign Yes

Measurement (Slim Board) 355 x 300 x 27mm

PERFECT TECHNOLOGY LTD. reserves the right to make technical changes without notice in theinterest of progress.

1. The twoplayersmustalternate inmaking onemove ata time.The playerwiththe whitepieces movesfirstto startthe game.

2. With the exception of castling (section II.1.), a move is the transfer of a piece from one square toanother square whichis either vacant or occupiedb an enemypiece.

3. No piece, except the Rook when castling and the Knight (section II.5) may cross a square occupiedby another piece.

4. A piece moved to a square occupied by an enemy piece captures it as part of the same move. Thecapturedpiece mustbe immediately removed fromthe chessboard by theplayer making the capture.

5. When one player moves a piece into a position whereby he can attack the King, the King is in"Check"(announced by theCHECK LEDand on theLCD display) andmust eithera) movetheKing,b) block the path of the attacking piece with another piece,c) orattacktheattacking piece.

6. The game is over when there is no escape for the King from an attacking piece. This is known as"Checkmate" (theCHECK andMATE LEDand on theLCD display).

Except when castling, the King can move only one space to any adjoining square (including diagonally)whichcannotbe attackedby an enemy piece.Castling is a move of both the King and either Rook which counts as a single move (of the King) and isexecutedas follows:a) The King ismovedfromitsoriginal squaretwo squarestoward eitherRook onthesamerank,andb) The Rook is moved to the oppositeside of the King.

a) the Kinghasalreadybeenmoved.b) the Rook has already been moved.c) the King'soriginalsquare orthe squarewhich the Kingmust cross or the one which it isto occupyis

attackedby an enemy piece.d) there isanypiece betweentheKing andtheRook.

The Queen can move to any square along the same rank, file or diagonal on which it stands (except aslimited byArticleI.3).

TheRook canmoveto anysquarealongthesamerank orfile onwhichit stands (except aslimitedby ArticleI.3).

TheBishopcan move to anysquare alongthe same diagonalon which it stands(exceptas limited byArticle1.3).

XIII. RULES OFCHESSA. GENERAL MOVES

B. INDIVIDUALMOVES

1. KING

Castlingcannot occurif:

2. QUEEN

3. ROOK

4. BISHOP


27/27

5. KNIGHT

6. PAWN

III.e. in thisinst uction.

C. HINTS& TIPS

The Knight's move is in the shape of an "L", moving two squares horizontally vertically, and then onesquare at 90 angle from the first move. These two moves can be reversed (one square and then two) ifdesired.

ThePawn canmoveeither oneor twosquaresforward on itsoriginalmove, andthenone squareforward atany time afterward. When capturing, it advances one square diagonally (forward). When a Pawn reachesthelast rank, it must be immediately exchangedfor a Queen,Rook, Bishop, or a Knightof thesame colouras the Pawn, at the player's choice and without taking into account the other pieces still remaining on thechessboard. Thisexchange is calleda "promotion".A Pawn can attack a square crossed by an enemy Pawn which has been advanced two squares in one movefrom its original square as though the latter had been moved only one square. This capture may be madeonly onthe move immediately followingsuchan advance andis calledcapturing "enpassant". (When yourcomputer makes an en passant capture it will display the symbol "ep".) The en passant moves is also

described under section r

Get a feel for the values of different pieces, which will be useful when making decisions on captures andexchanges. In general,try to capture the morevaluable pieces. Someimportant principles:

Castle yourKing intosafetyas soonas possible.If you control thecentre squares, this will give you theadvantage. To do this, move your centrepawnsanddevelopyour Bishopsand Knightsearly in thegame.Takeadvantage of capture situations, particularly if youwill gainmaterial.Concentrate don't be caught offguard by youropponent!

Dirt anddustcan be removed with a soft cloth (please remove allbatteries or connectionsto themains priorto cleaning the unit). Do NOT use any chemical solvents, water or any other fluids on the STARDIAMOND or expose it to rain or moisture (it is not water resistant!). Any damage caused by their use/exposure invalidates the warranty. Always keep the chess computer in a dry and cool place (normal roomtemperature).Avoid exposingthe computerto heat,e.g. spotlights,radiators, sunshine, etc. as thismay lead

to permanentdamage causedby overheatingwhichis not covered bythe warranty. Becareful notto scratchtheLCD andbe reminded that theLCD screenis made of glass.Breakageof theLCD screenis not coveredby the limited warranty.

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XIV. CARE OFTHE NOVAGSTAR DIAMOND

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING WARRANTY:For details regarding the warranty of this product and how to obtain warranty service please refer to the enclosedWarranty Card. ,In addition Perfect Technology Ltd. or the Distributors of Novag branded products shall not be liableunder the product's warranty if its testing and examination disclose that the alleged defect in the product does not exist orwas caused by Customer's or any third person's misuse, neglect, improper installation or testing, unauthorised attempts torepairor modify, orany othercausebeyondtherange ofthe intendeduse,or byaccident, fire,lightning,or otherhazardsoracts of God. The product's warranty does not cover physical damage to the surface of the product, including cracks orscratches on the LCD screen. The product's warranty does not apply when the malfunction results from the use of this

product in conjunctionwith accessories, other products, or ancillary or peripheral equipment and Perfect Technology Ltd.or the Distributors of Novag branded products determine that there is no fault with the product itself. LIMITATION OFLIABILITY. To the full extent allowed by law Perfect Technology Ltd. also excludes for itself and its suppliers anyliability, whether based in contract or tort (including negligence), for incidental, consequential, indirect, special, or

punitive damages of any kind, or for loss of revenue or profits, loss of business, loss of information or data, or otherfinancial loss arising out of or in connection with the sale, installation, maintenance, use, performance, failure, orinterruption of this product, even if Perfect Technology Ltd. or the Distributors of Novag branded products have been

advised ofthe possibilityof suchdamages, andlimitsits liabilityto replacementor repair ofthe product orpart atthe optionof PerfectTechnology Ltd.or theDistributorsof Novag brandedproducts. Thisdisclaimer of liabilityfor damageswill not

be affected if any remedy provided herein shall fail of its essential purpose. GOVERNING LAW: The product's limitedwarrantyshallbe governedby thelaws ofthe HongKongSpecialAdministrativeRegionunlessotherwisespecified.

This chess computer has been manufactured under the traditionally high quality and safety standards of PerfectTechnologyLtd.and complies with theEuropean standard whichis guaranteed by theimporter whosename is marked ontheenclosed warrantycard.Not suitablefor childrenunder36 months dueto inclusionof small parts.

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1004 Star Diamond - Im -Rev1 - E-jaws