Copyright: Winding Standoff Copyright ® 1995 The Code Zone


Contents
Rules Summary

Winding standoff is played in two phases.  In the first phase, you must place your pieces on the board. You must place two pieces in the squares of your initial four sections.  The computer will place two pieces in each of its sections. Once all pieces are placed, take turns moving your pieces on the board.  You cannot jump over any pieces (yours or the computer's).  The first player who cannot move is the loser.

Winding Standoff Rules

Winding Standoff Options

Winding Standoff Commands


Game Rules
Object of the game

The object of Winding Standoff is to prevent your opponent from being able to make a move.  The first player that cannot move is the loser.

Playing the Game

Winding Standoff is played in two phases on the following board. . .

Phase 1

Phase 1 involves placing the pieces on the board.  To start, you take turns with the computer, dragging pieces on the various parts of the board.  You must place two of your pieces in each zone (shown above). If you get the first move, you take the gray zones, otherwise, you get the red zones.

Phase 2

In phase 2, you move the pieces back and forth on the board.  At this point, the color of the board squares can be ignored.  You can move any of your pieces in either direction along the winding track.

Although you can move in either direction, you cannot jump over any pieces (yours or your opponent's).  The object is to try to trap the computer's pieces between yours.

Game Over Conditions

The game is over when a player has no moves available.  The player who cannot move is the loser.

Hints

The key to Winding Standoff is to plan ahead.  To be truly effective in Winding Standoff, you must be able to look five or six moves ahead, so you can trap the computer.

Help Contents

Winding Standoff Options

Winding Standoff 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 is broken up into various sections shown by the tabs at the top of the dialog.  Clicking on a tab shows the options available for it.  For example, the "Extras" tab allows you to choose the background color or texture of the game, and to change the sound options.

Tab Descriptions

Options Tab

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!

Player Goes First

If the "Player Goes First" radio button is selected,  you go first when a game starts.

Computer Goes First

If the "Computer Goes First" radio button is selected, 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 "Pieces Preview" area.

Extras Tab

The Extras tab allows you to change the background color of the main game window, or to change the sounds used in the game.  The options for this tab will not affect the rules of the game.

Screen Background

The box framing the "Screen Background" list box shows the current background color or texture of the screen.  Highlighting the name of a color or texture in the list box will preview the new background color or texture of the game window.

Game Sounds

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), then 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 on, then the pieces slide into place.  If this option is off, the pieces instantaneously move from place to 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.

Drag Pieces

The "Drag Pieces" radio button makes the game show the piece as you are dragging it.

Hint:  This is the preferable action when dragging with the mouse.

Drag Outlines

The "Drag Outlines" radio button makes the game show an outline of the piece when it is being dragged.

Hint:  This option is recommended for people with slower computers that cannot keep up with dragging playing pieces.

Show Drag Zones

If the "Show Drag Zones" option is checked, the game flashes an outline over pieces that can be moved as you move the mouse over them.

Show Drop Zones

If the "Show Drop Zones" option is checked, the game flashes an outline over areas where you are allowed to drop a piece as you are dragging.

Help Contents

Winding Standoff Rules

Winding Standoff Commands


Game Commands
How To Move Pieces

Moving pieces in Winding Standoff is accomplished by "dragging" them with the mouse.  To drag a piece, click the left mouse button on the piece and hold the mouse button down.  While holding the button down, move the mouse to the point to "drop" the piece, and release the left mouse button.

If you have the "Show Drag Zones" and "Show Drop Zones" options set, you will be able to see the places where pieces can be picked up and dropped.

Menu Commands

Game Menu

New

Starts a new game.  This will abandon any game currently in progress

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

Resign

If you feel the situation is hopeless, you can choose to resign the game rather than draw it out to the bitter end.

Options...

Brings up the Options dialog box.

Exit

Quits Winding Standoff .

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 a more in-depth version of the rules than the index.  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 on the keyboard will also toggle the balloon help on or off.

About Winding Standoff...

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

Winding Standoff Rules

Winding Standoff Options