DGT Pi Manuale utente

USER MANUAL

Note: This manual may also be available in other languages at:

www.digitalgametechology.com

MA_ENG_CHESSCOMP_User Manual DGT Pi_Rev 1805

DGT Hengelosestraat 66 7514 AJ Enschede the Netherlands

www.digitalgametechnology.com

Introduction .......................................................................................................................................3

Contents of the box ...........................................................................................................................4

Batteries........................................................................................................................................4

Performance ................................................................................................................................. 4

Using DGT Pi with your DGT e-Board .................................................................................................4

USB or Bluetooth connection? ...........................................................................................................5

Starting DGT Pi ...................................................................................................................................6

Playing a game against a DGT Pi engine .............................................................................................6

Playing and training modes ...........................................................................................................7

Position menu ............................................................................................................................... 8

Time Menu....................................................................................................................................8

Book Menu.................................................................................................................................... 9

Engine Menu ................................................................................................................................. 9

System Menu ................................................................................................................................ 9

Setting up a game ............................................................................................................................10

Game settings using the menu buttons (easy) / extra queens (fast)............................................ 10

“Easy method” using the DGT Pi menu buttons .......................................................................... 10

Menu structure for the easy method .......................................................................................... 11

Menu button functions during a game ........................................................................................ 14

“Fast method” using the extra queens.............................................................................................15

Selecting a playing mode............................................................................................................. 15

Selecting a time control............................................................................................................... 16

Selecting a level........................................................................................................................... 17

Selecting an opening book .......................................................................................................... 17

Selecting an engine ..................................................................................................................... 17

Using DGT Pi as a regular DGT3000 clock .........................................................................................18

Software update or re-installation of DGT Pi software.....................................................................18

Copying a (new) DGT Pi software image onto the SD Card (Windows) ........................................ 18

Copying a (new) DGT Pi software image onto the SD Card (Mac OS X) ........................................19

Open source software......................................................................................................................20

Thanks to the contributors...............................................................................................................21

Warranty conditions ........................................................................................................................21

Technical specifications ...................................................................................................................21

Hardware disclaimer ........................................................................................................................22

Appendix: Installed DGT Chess Engines............................................................................................22

Introduction

Congratulations on your purchase of DGT Pi, the world’s only all-in-one programmable chess

computer with integrated chess clock that turns your USB, Smart Board or DGT Bluetooth e-Board

into your best sparring partner. Connected together, the e-Board and DGT Pi offers a unique way to

play chess, to train and to analyse games and positions by using a real chess board and pieces.

The DGT Pi is a chess computer that runs various chess engines on a Raspberry Pi, which is built

into the DGT 3000, the most advanced chess clock currently available. Many different game

settings and playing levels can be selected. The display guides you through the menu settings and

informs you during the game, showing clock times, game moves and hints.

To start a game, simply connect DGT Pi to your DGT e-Board and place all the pieces in the starting

position. Then just make your first move to start a game. During thinking time, the display shows a

countdown timer. When DGT Pi calculated its next move this move will be shown on the display.

Now make the computer move on the e-Board and it will again be your turn to move. There is no

need to press the clock’s lever after each move as you would do in a regular chess game. The

countdown clock automatically switches sides when a move is made on the e-Board. Pressing the

lever during a game will result in a change of colours allowing you to switch from playing with

white pieces to playing with black pieces and vice versa.

DGT Pi can also be used as a DGT3000 chess clock only. Consult the separate DGT3000 manual for

instructions. Two batteries (included) should be installed at all times even when the device is used

as a chess computer and the external power adapter is connected. When using DGT Pi as a chess

clock it is not necessary to connect the power adapter.

The purpose of this manual is to explain the functionality of the dedicated DGT Pi chess computer.

It describes how to connect DGT Pi to your DGT e-Board and explains how to pre-define settings

and set-up your chess games. You can use DGT Pi for training purposes or experience great chess

games against a range of different chess engines with competitive Elo ratings. It is also a valuable

self-teaching tool for beginners.

This manual is based on the DGT Pi PicoChess software version 0.9L Free upgrades of implemented

features and supported engines will be made available from time to time. Such future software

versions and new features may not be covered by this manual. Within this context, also read the

disclaimer at the end of this manual. For future software and manual updates, please regularly

check our website www.digitalgametechnology.com or register for our mailings at the product

registration page of our website.

Contents of the box

Following items are included in the gift box:

1. DGT Pi chess computer

2. Auto range 5 Volt power adapter with micro USB connection

3. Micro SD card (already inserted into the SD slot of the DGT Pi)

4. Micro SD card adapter (for manual update only)

5. Battery set (2 x AA)

6. Manual DGT3000 (6 languages)

7. Manual DGT Pi (5 languages)

8. Power adapter for Euro, USA and UK

9. USB cable

Should any of the above items be missing or defective, please contact your retailer.

Batteries

The clock and menu functions of the DGT Pi operate on two AA batteries that can be easily

(re)placed by removing the screw of the battery lid at the bottom. Place both batteries according to

the markings visible at the bottom of the battery compartment. It is recommended to remove the

batteries when the device is not used for longer periods to avoid possible damage caused by a

leaking battery. When the battery symbol is shown on the display the DGT Pi can still be used

for several long games though it is recommended to replace the batteries for new ones.

Important:

•The batteries included are non-rechargeable and should not be recharged.

•Do not use rechargeable batteries in this product.

•Place the batteries in the battery compartment with the correct polarity.

•A dead battery should be removed from the product immediately.

•Never short circuit a battery.

Performance

This DGT Pi version is based on the Raspberry Pi 3 hardware which has a built-in Bluetooth®- and

Wi-Fi® functionality. This product is a stand-alone product with full wireless functionality. No

additional dongles are required. The power supply is a 2 Ampere 5 Volt version to be connected to

the DGT Pi via the micro USB connector at the rear-side.

Using DGT Pi with your DGT e-Board

DGT Pi is exclusively designed to be used in combination with a DGT e-Board or a DGT Smart Board.

With a DGT board you will be able to enjoy playing against a computer using a real wooden chess

board. Moves performed on the e-Board are detected by the electronic detection hardware inside

the e-Board and communicated to the DGT Pi. DGT has various e-Boards and electronic chess set

options available so you can choose a set-up to suit your personal preferences.

DGT Pi can be connected with a USB e-Board using the USB cable (included). To connect DGT Pi

with a Bluetooth e-Board there are two options:

Wired: via the USB cable (included)

Wireless: via a Bluetooth connection (DGT Pi has a built-in Bluetooth wireless transmitter)

NOTE: To connect a Smart Board use the 3 meter USB-C cable that came with your Smart Board.

USB or Bluetooth connection?

The four USB ports are hidden behind the bottom lid at the left side of the DGT Pi. This lid can

easily be removed by pressing on the bottom side marking and simultaneously moving the lid side

wards. Use the supplied USB cable and connect it between the USB connector of the DGT e-Board

and to one of the free USB ports of the DGT Pi. See below a picture how the DGT Pi, for example,

should be connected to a DGT Smart Board:

DGT Pi has a built-in Bluetooth transmitter which allows you to connect DGT Pi to a DGT Bluetooth

e-Board via a wireless Bluetooth connection. To use your Bluetooth e-Board with DGT Pi please

make sure the board is switched on. After powering up DGT Pi, it will start searching for a DGT

Bluetooth e-Board and automatically connect to it if the e-Board is free to use. Do note that the

Bluetooth e-Board itself will not be charged when connected via Bluetooth only and the e-Board

may switch off during a game if its internal battery runs low on power. To prevent this from

happening we recommend to always connect your Bluetooth e-Board to the DGT Pi by using the

provided USB cable. If you do not wish to use the USB cable please ensure the battery from your

Bluetooth e-Board is fully charged.

Starting DGT Pi

Power up DGT Pi by connecting the power adapter to the micro USB connection at the back of the

DGT Pi and place the AC outlet socket in a free AC wall outlet. Adapters for various international

power sockets are included. It is also possible to use an external power bank (not included).

The DGT Pi and the display functions will start automatically and it is not required to start DGT Pi by

pressing the bottom power switch.

After starting the DGT Pi the display shows the currently selected pre-set clock times. DGT Pi is now

ready for a game, either using default settings or previously made game settings. You can change

the settings using the clock buttons or using the extra queens on the e-board. Detailed descriptions

on where to place a queen for each option will be discussed later in this manual.

Description of the DGT Pi start-up process:

1. Once the power adapter is connected, DGT Pi will respond with the start-up message: “DGT

Pi”followed by “PicoChess” + Software version.

2. The reboot process for the Raspberry Pi computer may take up to 20 seconds.

3. The DGT Pi will start searching for an e-Board. The display might show “no e-Board” when no

e-Board is connected. When an e-Board has been found it will show:

a) The message “BT” + the e-Board serial number when connected to a Bluetooth e-Board.

b) The message “USB e-Board” when already connected to a USB e-Board or Smart Board.

4. If a connection cannot be established, DGT Pi will continue to search for any nearby e-Board.

The message ‘’no e-Board’’ will be shown until a USB board / Smart Board is connected or a

Bluetooth e-Board connection is established.

5. Once an e-Board has connected to an e-Board and you have placed all pieces in the starting

position, DGT Pi will respond with the default or selected time setting on the display. For

example it may show “05.00 05.00”.

6. When the starting position has not fully been set up, DGT Pi will regularly display “Set Pieces”

and will wait until all pieces are properly set up in the starting position (Please ensure that

the extra queens are NOT yet placed on the board).

7. You are now ready to play chess against the DGT Pi. To adjust your chess preferences, you

can change the settings by using the clock menu buttons or by placing the extra black or

white queen on the board. Details are described elsewhere in this manual.

Playing a game against a DGT Pi engine

Important notes before starting a game:

1. If you are using an e-Board with indices, we recommend to always placing the white pieces

on row 1 and 2 and the black pieces on row 7 and 8. This ensures that the coordinates

shown on the DGT Pi display match the coordinates shown on the side of your board.

2. If DGT Pi does not respond to menu keys or game changes within 20 seconds after starting,

the device may be locked. Please try to restart it by pressing the ON/OFF key located on the

bottom of the DGT Pi.

3. If this does not lead to a correct restart, unplug and reconnect the micro USB power connector

to force a full reboot of DGT Pi. Wait approximately 20 seconds for the device to reboot.

Playing and training modes

DGT Pi has several playing and training modes. Below is a summary of the options currently

implemented.

Normal mode: You can play against one of the selected DGT Pi engines. The clock displays the

remaining thinking time for both sides. Press the –key to show the computer evaluation of

the position, expressed in centipawns (see below note for explanation) or press the key to

show a hint (“ponder move”).

Brain mode: This is same as Normal mode but the computer is using the permanent brain to

think ahead during your thinking time as well.

•Analysis mode: DGT Pi is only observing the game and does not play itself. The clock

continuously displays the best move for the side to play.

•Kibitz mode: DGT Pi is only observing the game and does not play itself. The clock

continuously displays the computer evaluation of the position on the board.

•Observe mode: DGT Pi is only observing the game and does not play itself. The clock displays

the remaining thinking time for both sides. Press the –key once to show the position

evaluation. Press the key to show a hint.

•Ponder mode: Ponder mode combines the “Analysis” & “Kibitz” mode alternating every 2

seconds between each mode. In addition to the normal Kibitz mode, the DGT Pi will display

brute force depth together will the current value.

•Remote play mode: This mode allows you to play against other players or engines over the

internet. Be aware that this mode is NOT YET supported in software version 0.9L.

Notes:

Normal mode is the “regular”chess game mode and, after restart, the default setting on DGT Pi. If

you have selected one of the other modes, you can return to normal mode using the menu buttons

and toggle through the settings or place the extra white queen on a5.

Centipawns are the value of 1/100th of a pawn. It is a theoretical unit most chess engines use to

assess positions. The position score is the computer evaluation of the position on the chess board

and it is expressed in a number of centipawns. The unit is useful for expressing small advantages or

disadvantages between black and white. For example if white is one pawn ahead and black does

not have any compensation for the loss of his pawn (usually some positional advantage), an engine

will generally consider white to be 100 centipawns better. Often this would be expresses as +1.00

pawns though on DGT Pi it is currently expressed as +100 centipawns. If, on the other hand, black

had some compensation, an engine could calculate white to have an advantage of perhaps 29

centipawns (+0.29 pawns). Note that the position score will always be displayed in centipawns

from white’s perspective. For example, if DGT Pi displays a score of +33, then the white player is 33

centipawns (or 0.33 pawns) ahead. A negative score means that the black player is ahead.

Position menu

DGT Pi supports several position modes:

Switching sides: DGT Pi has an option to switch sides. You can select to play with white or let

DGT Pi start with white. During an active game, sides can be switched by pressing the lever on

top of DGT Pi. Doing so allows you to take over the game position from DGT Pi. This can be a

good teaching tool to improve your chess skills and learn to play with different, and perhaps,

challenging positions.

•Chess 960: This option, not supported by all installed engines, is used to set up a Chess 960

position. This is a special feature to play Chess 960 or Fischer Random Chess which is a great

alternative way to play chess. Chess 960 is the only other form of chess officially recognized by

the International Chess Federation FIDE and it is played by many chess lovers worldwide. In

Chess 960 the games do not start from the traditional starting position but instead start from

one of 960 random starting positions. It requires players to start thinking about their moves

right from the start thus bypassing any advantage a player may have from learned knowledge

about particular chess openings. Just give it a try once you are more familiar with the normal

play modes.

•Scan board: This option allows you to set up any position on the board that you wish to play

or analyse. Just set up a position and scan the e-Board. Make sure the position you set up

complies with the rules of chess. For example the kings should not be in “check mate” and

pawns that reached the opposite side should be promoted before scanning a board position.

Set up any position you want for play, analysis, train or problem solving.

Time Menu

DGT Pi supports following timing modes:

•Move Time: Select a fixed time per move for the engine between 1 and 90 seconds. DGT Pi

will make a move after the selected time has passed. After performing the computer move it

is your turn and the display will show “ok Pico”. In this time mode your own thinking time is

unlimited.

•Game Time: Select a game time between 1 and 90 minutes. Both player and engine receive

the same amount of thinking time to complete their moves. Their clocks will count down

during their turn. Just like in a regular chess game using a regular chess clock. Note that the

lever on top of the clock should not be pressed to indicate the end of each turn; simply

moving the pieces on the board will signal the end of a turn and the other player’s clock will

start counting down automatically.

•Fischer: Select a game time for both players between 1 and 60 minutes with a Fischer

increment time added for each move between 1 and 30 seconds.

Book Menu

DGT Pi supports a wide range of book modes. Books are databases containing various chess

openings. For example: Select “Book” in the menu and then select one of the available books. To

play without opening guidance select “No Book”

Note: The current list of books may change in future software versions.

Engine Menu

DGT Pi includes a wide range of chess engines. Most engines have a level selection option allowing

you to adapt the engine strength to your personal level. The levels can usually be selected between

0 and 20. Elo rating levels may be given but for most engines the levels are not easily to convert to

a comparable Elo rating.

Note: The current list of engines may change in future software versions.

Examples of the estimated Elo strengths for some of the levels of the StockFish8 engine are:

•Level 3 estimates about 1000 Elo (Absolute beginner)

•Level 9 estimates about 1750 Elo (Mediate club player)

•Level 20 estimates about 3100 Elo (Grandmaster)

System Menu

This menu section is used to read out and adjust several DGT Pi system functions.

•You can check your current installed software version.

•It will show your IP address and check the IP connection (Only for future feature upgrades).

•You can select the sound function and vary between three stages. In the beginning you may

find it helpful to hear many beeps. As you become more familiar with your DGT Pi and hear

too many beeps you can select an option as “Never” or “Sometimes”.

•You can select the language. Currently six languages are implemented, English, German,

Dutch, French, Italian and Spanish.

•For Phyton software programmers there is a logfile create option. (This is for software

developers only and beyond the scope of this document)

•A multi lingual voice option is included for the computer and player.

Note: An additional amplified loudspeaker should be connected to the audio output at the

back of the DGT Pi.

•The display option selects various clock display options like ponder interval, confirmation

messages, capital letters and short/long notation.

Setting up a game

To change the settings on DGT Pi there are two methods:

1. Using the menu buttons (easy method)

2. Using the extra black and white queens on the e-Board (fast method)

Both methods have their advantages and are described below.

Game settings using the menu buttons (easy) / extra queens (fast)

The easy method uses the menu buttons at the front of DGT Pi. All menu options can be accessed

and changed by using these buttons. With the easy method it is not necessary to have all chess

pieces in the starting position or to use the extra queens. Just go through the menu by pressing the

menu buttons. For example you can press the middle menu button to force DGT Pi to make a

move. It is possible to change colour by pressing the lever on top of DGT Pi.

Using the extra queens on the e-Board is the fast method to change settings but not all options can

be selected this way. To change settings by using the extra queens, all 32 chess pieces must first be

placed in the starting position. The extra two queens supplied with all DGT electronic chess sets are

used to confirm the settings. Move one of the extra queens over the empty squares of the e-Board

(Remember the other pieces must be in the starting position) and the display will show the setting

option related to that square. The setting will be activated by lifting the extra queen from that

square.

Note: We suggest not switching between engines or change time settings during a running game as

this may lead into unpredictable behaviour. For example in some situations a change in settings

during a game can result in a new game.

“Easy method”using the DGT Pi menu buttons

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