What the levels really do
| Level | Search | Deliberate mistakes | Who for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Beginner | 2 plies | about one move in four | those just learning the rules |
| 2. Amateur | 3 plies | about one move in 10 | those starting to see simple shots |
| 3. Intermediate | 5 plies | rare (3 %) | regular players |
| 4. Strong | up to 9 plies | none | experienced amateurs |
| 5. Master | time-based (1–2 seconds): 12–15 plies even on a phone | none | club and rated players |
A ply is one move by one side. Every level calculates capture sequences to the end, so it never judges a position in the middle of a shot.
How the levels were tested
Each level has played hundreds of games against its neighbour: the higher one must clearly come out on top. The results are below. The percentage is the higher level’s share of points (win 1, draw 0.5). In these tests level 5 used a phone-sized search (800,000 positions per move) so the result does not depend on the device.
| Match | Russian rules | English rules |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 vs 1 | 86 % | 91 % |
| Level 3 vs 2 | 97 % | 96 % |
| Level 4 vs 3 | 98 % | 100 % |
| Level 5 vs 4 | 70 % | 72 % |
Help while learning
- Undo: take back a poor move and try another.
- Hint: the computer shows the move it would choose.
- Colour and rules: White or Black, Russian or English rules.
- Autosave: even if you close the page, the game continues where it was.
FAQ
Does the computer cheat?
No. It plays by the same rules and sees only the position on the board. Its moves go through the same rules engine as yours.
Does it work offline?
Once the page has loaded, the computer calculates on your device and no moves go to the server. You need internet to open the page.
Can the Master level be beaten?
Yes, but not easily: within 1–2 seconds it calculates deeper than 12 plies. It is weaker at long-term plans; do not expect tactical slips.
Does this change my rating?
No. The rating changes only in online games against live opponents.
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