Copyright: Checker Connector Copyright ® 1995 The Code Zone


Contents
Rules Summary

To play Checker Connector, take turns "dropping" your pieces in each column.  The first player to to get four checkers in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally wins.

Checker Connector Rules

Checker Connector Options

Checker Connector Commands


Game Rules
Object of the game

The object of Checker Connector is to be the first player to get four pieces in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.

Making a Move

To place a piece in a column, click on the target column or type in the letter of the column (located along the top).  For example, to place a piece on the top of the following stack in column D. . .

Click in column D or type the letter D.  The result of the move will be the following. . .

Once a piece is dropped, it cannot be removed.

Game Over Conditions

The game is over when one of two conditions is met:

•	All empty squares of the board are filled.  This is considered a tie.

•	When someone has four pieces horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

Hints

Watch out for diagonals.  It is easy for your opponent to sneak in a win if you're busy watching horizontals and verticals.  You can also use diagonals to your advantage as well.

Help Contents

Checker Connector Options

Checker Connector Commands


Game Options
How to set Options

To bring up the Options dialog box, choose the "Options..." menu item from the "Game" menu.  If any option is changed within the Option dialog box, the current game being played will be abandoned.  If you do not wish to abandon the current game, select the Cancel button and return to the game.

The Options dialog box is broken up into various sections shown by the tabs at the top of the dialog box.  Clicking on a tab shows the options available for that topic.  For example, the "Extras" tab allows you to change the sound options.

Tab Descriptions

Options Tab

Skill Level

Easy

Clicking on the radio button labeled Easy will select an easy game.  Most novices will be able to beat an easy game after a few tries.

Moderate

Clicking on the radio button labeled Moderate will select a moderately-challenging game.

Difficult

Clicking on the radio button labeled Difficult will select a difficult game.  A difficult game is very challenging and will require an accomplished player to beat.

Expert

Clicking on the radio button labeled Expert will select an extremely difficult game.  This option is not recommended for the squeamish!

Who Goes First

Player Goes First

If "Player Goes First" is selected in the drop down list box,  you go first when a game starts.

Computer Goes First

If "Computer Goes First" is selected in the drop down list box, the computer will make the first move when the game starts.

Board Tab

The Board tab allows you to change the appearance of the game board. The options for this tab will not affect the rules of the game; however, the look of the board will change.

Board Names

The "Board Names" list box shows the names of all of the board "tiles" available.  Clicking on a name in the list box selects the new board and previews the tiles in the "Board Preview" area.

Pieces Tab

The Pieces tab allows you to change the appearance of the playing pieces used in the game.  The options for this tab will not affect the rules of the game; however, the look of the game pieces will change.

Piece Names

The "Piece Names" list box shows the names of the various playing pieces available.  Clicking on a name in the list box selects the new game pieces and previews them in the "Piece Preview" area.

Extras Tab

The Extras tab allows you to change the sounds used in the game.  Changing the options in the Extras tab does not affect the rules of the game.

Game Sounds Enabled

The "Game Sounds Enabled" check box turns the game sounds on or off.  This option is checked on by default.  Un-checking the box will turn the game sounds off.  If this option is turned off, the rest of the controls below it are disabled.

If your system does not have any sound support (i.e. you are not using a windows-hosted sound card), this option will not be available.

Path...

The Path... button allows you to choose a sound file to be played during a game event.  The game events that can have sounds attached are listed above the button.  You can associate any windows wave file (*.WAV) with a game event.

Test

The Test button plays the sound associated with the game event selected in the list box above the button.  If there is no sound associated with the event, or the selected file is invalid, no sound will be played.

Animation Tab

Animation Enabled

The "Animation Enabled" check box enables or disables the game animation.  If this option is checked, then the pieces drop into place.  If this option is off, the pieces instantaneously appears in its place.

Animation Speed

The "Animation Speed" scroll bar allows you to speed up or slow down the game animation. Moving the slider all the way to the left slows down the animation.  Moving the slider all the way to the right speeds it up.

Help Contents

Checker Connector Rules

Checker Connector Commands


Game Commands
How To Move Pieces

Moving pieces in Checker Connector is accomplished by "dropping" them into the columns.  To drop a piece, click the left mouse button anywhere on the target column.  Each piece will be added to the top of the column stack.

You can play Checker Connector using the keyboard.  Simply type the letter located at the top of the column to drop your playing piece.

Menu Commands

Game Menu

New

Starts a new game.  Abandons any game currently in progress.

Hitting the F2 function key on the keyboard will also start a new game.

Options...

Brings up the Options dialog box.  Abandons any game currently in progress if any options are changed.

Exit

Quits the game.

Hitting the Alt key plus the F4 function key on the keyboard will also quit the game.

Help Menu

Index

Brings up the main help index.  The help index gives you an introduction to the game and a quick synopsis of the rules.

Hitting the F1 function key on the keyboard will also bring up the main help index.

Game Rules

Displays an in-depth version of the rules.  The Game Rules page provides play examples and hints.

How To Play

Brings up the help page you are reading now.

Balloon Help

Toggles the help balloons on and off.  The help balloons display quick information about each menu item along with a quick synopsis of the rules.

Balloon help is a check-able toggle.  Choose it to turn the balloon help on.  Choose it again to shut it off.

Hitting the Alt key plus the F1 function key will also toggle the balloon help on or off.

About Checker Connector...

Information about the product.

Panic Button

If you want to quickly pause and minimize the game, hit the Escape key on the keyboard.

Help Contents

Checker Connector Rules

Checker Connector Options