Adjust the Playing Level

This is under Levels arrow Adjust or a click on the clocks.

Select the mode you like. Depending on the mode chosen the possible settings on the right side change.

Here is an overview on the different modes:

  • Fixed search depth

The engine only calculates to a give search depth in half moves. This is only useful for testing, not for real games as calculating times may vary greatly. Often not supported by WinBoard engines.

  • Time per move

The computer calculates for the given time in seconds and aborts the search then. Not recommended for WinBoard engines, as this feature often is not or badly supported. Never use this level for engine matches. Engines should use this time as exactly as possible, no matter what position.

  • Blitz (=Fischer-Clock)

In this mode every player has a certain time as a base for the whole game. Additionally for every move a bonus is given. This has the advantage that a player who has the advantage either positional or in material terms does not lose on time so easily. Please note that the base time is given in minutes and seconds, but the bonus in seconds and optional in milliseconds (1/1000 of a second). This mode is also used frequently for playing on the Internet (ICS). It was invented by ex- world champion Bobby Fischer therefore it is also called "Fischer Clock" .

  • Mate search

The program only searches mates in a given depth. Some engines run considerably faster if they can omit the time-consuming positional evaluation.

WinBoard engines can't do that mode, because this is not in the WinBoard specification. Arena sets for WinBoard engines the mode 'fixed search depth' with twice the depth of the mate search depth given here. All mates should be found then.

  • Infinite

The Computer searches until the maximum search depth of the engine is reached. UCI engines can do that without problems. For WinBoard engines the settings under "Engines arrow Manage arrow Options" are used. In reality it is a very long blitz level, an emulation.

  • Tournament

You can set a maximum of three different time controls. Select in how many minutes the given number of moves must be executed. If you select 'All' for moves, the given time counts for the rest of the game.

If you like to have only one time control and the game should be over in one hour, use the following settings:

Time Control No.1 : Moves : All Minutes: 30 (The time counts per player!)

You can declare every time control as 'repeating'. Then the following time controls are hidden. If a time control is to be used for the rest of the game (for all remaining moves), select "Rest".

Arena can watch out for time forfeits, if you select this under 'Engines/ Manage / Options', set "autoflag=on" for this.

Normally WinBoard engines know only about one (repeating) time control. If you selected "Extended level command for WinBoard" an extended level command will be sent to the engine. A tournament level with 40 moves in 15 minutes, then again 40 moves in
15 minutes, then rest in 15 minutes will be sent as follows:

level 40 15 0 40 15 0 0 15 0

  • Nodes

Only the given number of nodes will be searched. WinBoard engines can't do that unless they support the specific command 'sn <n>' of the engine "Crafty ".The command 'sn 0' means no restriction on the number of nodes searched.

Saving the preferred levels:

If you need some levels frequently, you can make them accessible directly via the main menu:

1. You select the menu item you want to modify (1-8) in the drop-down box
2. The current usage is shown.
3. You change the mode and settings to the desired level, like 'Blitz 2/12'.
4. Press the 'Save' button.
5. Press OK to close the Dialog.
6. Now you can find your level in the main menu. The first preferred level is on top of the list, the second one below etc..


Handicap

If you like to run an engine with reduced strength, the time control for this engine becomes proportionally lower. Instead of 10 minutes for the game the engine gets told to play the game in 5 minutes. You can set this in the engine management, see limit playing strength .


In the main menu you find the following changeable levels:

  • Blitz 2/6
  • Blitz 2/12
  • Blitz 5/20
  • Blitz 20/30
  • Tournament Game in 5
  • Tournament Game in 15
  • Tournament 40/30 40/30 Rest:30
  • Tournament 40/120 40/120 Rest:120

You can change these and define your own personal preferred levels, see the description above on how to change levels.

The following levels in the main menu

  • 40 moves in 5 minutes
  • 40 moves in 10 minutes
  • 40 moves in 20 minutes
  • 40 moves in 40 minutes
  • 40 moves in 60 minutes
  • 40 moves in 120 minutes
  • 40 moves in 150 minutes

are not changeable as they are most frequently used.