Masterchess has been designed to be a no-frills chess playing program of
advanced ability which is easy to use. Special emphasis has been placed on
providing facilities useful to those wishing to improve thier game as well as
just pass a pleasent hour or 3.
To this end it is possible to review an entire game, step-by-step, or
re-arrange the pieces to make a point, or even build-up a postion starting
with a blank board. Handy for solving chess problems, or practising your
end-game!
Early in the develompment of Masterchess, the 3-D, or perspective, view of
the chess board was investigated and discarded. It is difficult to use
on-screen and wastes large amount of memory. The savings have gone into
stengthening the computer opponent.
Standard algebraic notation is used both for inputting moves and for
displaying them on the screen. This means that each square is referred to by
a letter and a number. Looking from the White player's side of the board, the
bottom left square is a1 and the top right is h8. This remains fixed, no
matter what colour you choose to play ie. Moving the white Queen's pawn
forward two squares is always written d2 - d4.
You instruct Masterchess to make your move by telling it what square to move
from and where to move to ie.d2 - d4. (There is no need to press return.)
Unusual moves are handled in a similar fashion. Taking a pawn "en passant"
enter the initial and final squares for you pawn. To castle, just input the
King move and the Rook will tag along automatically.
USING THE PROGRAM
Upon loading, the game will ask you which colour you wish to play. Type in
(B)lack or (W)hite. You then set the opponent's level of play, by deciding
how long you wish to allow it to think over each move. Type in a number of
seconds and RETURN. Although just about any whole number will be accepted, we
would suggest that you start with a level around 30 seconds and take it from
there. At 120 sceonds Masterchess will beat most average players most of the
time. If you fancy your chances move up to 180 seconds and then beyond 600
for a good thrashing! Should you get fed up waiting - or just wish to
pressure the computer a little, hit RETURN whilst it's thinking. This forces
it to play its best move so far, at the moment you wish to push the
button.
Pressing RETURN during your turn brings up the option menu:-
1. RETURN(from menu)
2. SET LEVEL
3. RE-ARRANGE
4. SET-UP
7. NEW GAME
Press the number key corresponding to the option you wish to call up. Taking
each in turn:-
1. Returns you to the game.
2. Enter the number of seconds, the RETURN.
3. Allows you to put pieces onto any square, or take them off, WITHOUT
RESTRICTION. Careful! Works from the current game postion. You will be asked
which square (ie. a1, b2, c3 etc.) and then which piece to go on it. Enter WP
or BP for White/Black Pawn or BR, WN, BB, WQ, BK for Black Rook, White
Knight, Black Bishop, White Queen, Black King etc. Beginning an entry with a
letter other than W or B will clear the square. Press return to get out of
the option.
4. Works as Above, but starts with a blank board. Once complete press RETURN
to begin play and RETURN agin to get back to the menu.
7. Restarts from scratch, with the colour choice and level setting
prompts.
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