Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/BBS_GAME/PCHES200.ZIP/ENGLISH.ZIP/PROCHESS.DOC

Text File | 1994-02-22 | 26KB | 638 lines

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                               ProChess 2.0

                                 22-Feb-94


                    Copyright 1991-94  Joerg Hilgemann

                            All rights reserved




   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    Index                                                        │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛


        What is ProChess? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2

        Shareware concept . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3

        Registration  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4

        Installation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6

        Running Multiline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

        Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8

        RealTime Games (User Vs User online)  . . . . . . . .  9

        Chess Computer  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

        Sudden Death (playing the Sysop)  . . . . . . . . . . 10

        Additional options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

        Future development  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

        Remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │     WHAT IS PROCHESS?                                           │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    ProChess  is a new Chess door game for BBS environments. ProChess
    is very easy to use and easy to install on your BBS.

    Users  can  play a game of Chess against each other  as  well  as
    playing sudden death against the Sysop (if he's available). On  a
    multiline  BBS two users can play an online game and the  netmail
    option enables them to play against players on other systems.

    You  can  also play against the ProChess Chess Computer  in  nine
    different levels.

    ProChess  runs under all common BBS-programs that make use  of  a
    DORINFOx.DEF  file. If this is not available, ProChess  can  also
    be  started  via parameters and thus can be used under  virtually
    any  known  BBS-software. If this should not be true, please  let
    me  know.  It may be possible to modify the program to work  with
    your BBS package.

    In  the  registered  version ProChess can be  played  via  PCUTIL
    through Fido netmail. This allows worldwide Chess games! The  new
    PCUTIL also allows automatic play between different BBS's.


    The features of ProChess 2.0:

    o   User Vs User online play

    o   Chess Computer with nine playing levels

    o   Users can play ProChess via PCTerm.
        PCTerm is a user/Sysop terminal for ProChess featuring VGA
        graphics (640*480) and mouse support. Sysops, please
        encourage your users to make use of PCTerm, it's much more
        fun to play ProChess then.

    o   Playable by netmail via PCUTIL GameRobot Utility.
        PCUTIL allows manual or automatic play. Thus PCUTIL connects
        BBS's to a wide area Chess-Net.

    o   User's can choose if they want to play a game against a
        specific opponent. In the registered version the opponent may
        even be on a different BBS. The game will then run via
        PCUTIL, which must be installed in this case.

    o   Configurable screen colors

    o   Multiline support using 'game locking'

    o   Multitasker aware

    o   Supports Fossil drivers directly, but may also be used
        without the fossil driver enabled.

    o   Supports highspeed modems with locked baudrate

    o   Built-in carrier watchdog

    o   Controlled via DORINFOx.DEF or via parameters

    o   Local mode for the Sysop

    o   Supports ANSI terminal emulation or simple ASCII displays

    o   Supports AVATAR/0+ terminal emulation (configurable)

    o   Monochrome mode for the user's and for the Sysop's display

    o   Built-in chat mode

    o   Watches time left for a user

    o   Multilingual: Configurable with language files

    o   Freely changeable help screens

    o   Verbose score table

    o   Follows strictly all Chess rules:
        -  Castling
        -  En passant
        -  Pawn promotion
        -  Stalemate
        -  Move repetition

    o   Draw offers, resigning and taking moves back are possible

    o   Move input by coordinates or cursor movements (ANSI/AVT only)

    o   Optional Sudden Death with configurable timelimit

    o   Maximum 9999 games per player (registered version)

    o   Configurable logfile

    o   History file of all finished games

    o   ProChess opens files in DenyNone mode to support networks.
        SHARE must be loaded to use enable this feature.

    o   Supports USERON by Gerhard Hoogterp



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    SHAREWARE CONCEPT AND LEGAL NOTICE                           │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    The  software  program  'ProChess' and  all  included  files  are
    distributed under the Shareware concept. That means: If you  have
    tried  the program and decide to make further use of it, you  are
    required  to register the program. The trial period is  90  days.
    After 90 days you must either register the program or delete  the
    files  from  your  hard disk. Unregistered use exceeding  the  90
    days period is a violation of the Shareware concept.

    The  program  ProChess  may (and should)  be  freely  shared  and
    copied, as long as no money is charged for it (Copy fee must  not
    exceed  $10.00).  The ProChess distribution  files  must  not  be
    modified  in any way. No files must be deleted from or  added  to
    the archives.

    The  program  ProChess  must not be sold as  a  part  of  another
    product and must not be sold together with any other product.  In
    unclear cases the author should be contacted to avoid problems.

    The  program ProChess is distributed 'as is', no guarantee of any
    kind is given.

    I,  Joerg Hilgemann, my heirs, agents, employees and assigns, are
    not  responsible  for damages of any kind which result  from  the
    use of ProChess, even if possible damages should be known to me.

    Furthermore  I do not guarantee that ProChess will work  on  your
    computer.  I only guarantee that ProChess will occupy  disk-space
    on your harddisk.



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS                                    │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    Without  a  valid registration number ProChess has the  following
    restrictions:

      1) Each player can only play two games simultaneously.
      2) The main menu displays the message 'unregistered version'
      3) PCUTIL will not work until ProChess is registered.

    The  registration fee depends on the number of BBS lines on which
    ProChess  is running. Furthermore it is important if the  BBS  is
    being  run  as a hobby or for commercial purposes/in a commercial
    environment:

                        non-commercial BBS     commercial BBS
      ┌───────────────┬────────────────────┬────────────────────┐
      │  single line  │       20.00 US$    │       60.00 US$    │
      ├───────────────┼────────────────────┼────────────────────┤
      │     2 lines   │       30.00 US$    │       80.00 US$    │
      │     3 lines   │       40.00 US$    │      120.00 US$    │
      │   4-9 lines   │       50.00 US$    │      150.00 US$    │
      │ 10-30 lines   │       60.00 US$    │      200.00 US$    │
      │  > 30 lines   │       80.00 US$    │      350.00 US$    │
      ├───────────────┴────────────────────┴────────────────────┤
      │PCTERM extra charge:   20.00 US$            70.00 US$    │
      └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

    For  instance, the registration fee for a single-line non-commer-
    cial BBS is 20.00 US$.

    You  can  enable all of your users to use the PCTERM program   on
    your  BBS  without having to register it on their own  dime.  You
    only  have  to  add  20.00  US$ (70.00  US$  commercial)  to  the
    registration  fee.  Your users can then  play  their  games  with
    PCTERM  without the restrictions of the unregistered  PCTERM.  If
    you  don't  pay  the  PCTerm  extra charge,  every  user  has  to
    register the program for himself.

    The registration fee should be sent in banknotes or by cheque  to
    one of the ProChess Support Sites:

    United States and Canadian users should send to:

         Phil Root
         Highland Software, Inc.
         6062 Blondo Street
         Omaha, Nebraska 68104
         USA

    All others should send to:

         Joerg Hilgemann
         Im Roemerkastell 12
         56077 Koblenz
         Germany

    You  may  also  transact the amount directly to  my  bank-account
    which  is listed in the registration form. In this case  send  E-
    mail or postcard in order to confirm the arrival of the money.

    You will receive:

    o   A registration number for ProChess:
        When a valid registration number is detected there is no
        limit of games per player and the 'unregistered' message will
        disappear. Instead the Sysop's name and the name of the BBS
        will appear on top of the screen. The registration number
        will be valid for all future versions of ProChess. PCUTIL now
        works and allows Chess games on different BBS's, manually or
        automatically.

    o   A registration number for PCTerm:
        Sysops may also use PCTerm to play their games in VGA using a
        mouse. This is much more fun than simple ANSI graphics! Just
        try it, you will be surprised. PCTerm is multiline aware and
        can be used in local networks or in multitasking
        environments.

    o   Direct support through worldwide FidoNet (tm)


    Here's how you can get the latest version of ProChess:

    1. You are a member of FidoNet and may filerequest the magicnames
       PROCHESS and PCTERM from any of the support sites listed below

    2. If you are not a member of FidoNet  you may download the files
       from my BBS (or any of the support sites)

    3. Contact your local ProChess Support BBS,  you will find a list
       below

    When  the  registration fee arrives you will immediately  receive
    your  registration numbers by Fido-crashmail, so state your Fido-
    address!   If crashmail is not available I will send  a  postcard
    or  leave you a message on my BBS. Please tell me what method  of
    delivery you prefer.

    You find the registration form under the filename REGISTER.DOC.


    ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
    │ ProChess Support Sites (Help Nodes) │
    └─────────────────────────────────────┘

      North America       Phil Root
                          Highland Software, Inc.
                          6062 Blondo Street
                          Omaha, Nebraska 68104
                          USA
                          BBS:   [phone]
                          Voice: [phone]
                          Fidonet 1:285/32

      Australia           George Simmans
                          4 The Crescent
                          Tyabb, Victoria 3913
                          Australia
                          BBS: [phone]
                          Fidonet 3:635/573

      Europe              Joerg Hilgemann
                          Im Roemerkastell 12
                          56077 Koblenz
                          Germany
                          BBS: [phone]
                          Fidonet 2:2456/50



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    INSTALLATION                                                 │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    Installing ProChess is easy!

    First  create a subdirectory (e.g. C:\RA\PROCHESS) and  copy  all
    files   from   the  distribution-archive  into  it.  Select   the
    appropriate language and unpack the desired language files:

      For English language unpack ENGLISH.ZIP
      For German language unpack GERMAN.ZIP

    The final step is to adjust the configuration file PCHESS.CFG

    If  you  want to change the standard color configuration,  unpack
    the  archive COLORS.ZIP and choose one color config file.  Rename
    it to PCHESS.COL. You may modify the file for your convenience.

    The  files are documented so configuration should be a  piece  of
    simple.  Just  remember:  Sysop's  name  and  BBS  name  must  be
    absolutely  correct  in order to detect the registration  number.
    However, the names are not case sensitive.

    To  let  the  users download the PCTERM archive from the  opening
    menu,  you have to install the DSZ protocol driver. DSZ  requires
    the environment variable DSZPORT, otherwise it will not work.

    ProChess  2.00 offers four optional bulletin screens,  which  can
    be  displayed when the user enters the ProChess door and when  he
    quits.  The screens BULLET1.ASC/ANS/AVT and BULLET2.*  will  show
    on  startup while BULLET3.* and BULLET4.* will show on exit.  All
    the   *.ASC/ANS/AVT  files  reside  in  the  ProChess  directory,
    otherwise they will not be shown.


    ┌────────────────────────────────┐
    │ Running ProChess in local mode │
    └────────────────────────────────┘

    If  ProChess is called without parameters, the user name is taken
    from PCHESS.CFG (Sysop). The status line shows the word 'LOCAL'


    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │ Running ProChess from a BBS (with DORINFOx.DEF or DOOR.SYS) │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

    Syntax:   PCHESS /D <path to dorinfo compatible file>
              PCHESS /S <path to door.sys compatible file>

    Create a batchjob PROCHESS.BAT which should look like this:

      cd \ra\prochess
      pchess.exe /d \ra\dorinfo1.def
      cd ..

      or

      cd \bbs\prochess
      pchess.exe /s \bbs\door.sys
      cd ..

    This  batch  can  be called from RemoteAccess,  QuickBBS  or  any
    other compatible BBS using menu type 7. All important values  are
    taken  directly from the DORINFOx.DEF file or from  the  DOOR.SYS
    file. If you use RemoteAccess compatible BBS, create a menu  type
    7 in your door menu with the following optional data line:

      *c /c prochess.bat *m

    *C  stands  for command.com and *M swaps RA out of memory  before
    loading the door.


    ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
    │ Running ProChess with parameters (without DORINFO/DOOR.SYS) │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

        Syntax:     PCHESS.EXE <COM-port> <baudrate> <time left>
                               <ANSI> <first name> <last name>
        Values:

        <COM-port>  :  1..4
        <baudrate>  :  0,300,1200,2400,4800,9600,19200,38400
        <time left> :  1..1440
        <ANSI>      :  0=ASCII 1=ANSI 3=AVATAR/0+

        Example:  PCHESS.EXE 2 2400 60 1 Bobby Fischer



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    RUNNING PROCHESS IN MULTI-LINE BBS                           │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    To  run  ProChess on a multiline BBS there is no need to  install
    it  multiple times. The only modifications necessary are  to  the
    calling batchjobs.

    Here is an example:

      Line 1      cd \doors\prochess
                  pchess.exe /d \ra1\dorinfo1.def
                  cd \ra1

      Line 2      cd \doors\prochess
                  pchess.exe /d \ra2\dorinfo2.def
                  cd \ra2

    As  you  can see, the only real difference is in the name of  the
    DORINFOx.DEF  file.  ProChess  automatically  creates   semaphore
    files (LOCK####) and deletes them when the program terminates.

    For  example, if game #9 is busy on line 1, ProChess creates  the
    file  LOCK0009 and a second player on line 2 can temporarily  not
    access  this  game. Because your computer may hang from  time  to
    time  and thus leaves old LOCK files on your harddisk you  should
    regularly  clean  up  the  ProChess  directory  in  your  nightly
    maintenance. A simple DEL LOCK???? does the job.



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    OPERATION                                                    │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    ProChess  is  fully  menuguided and a  user  should  have  little
    problems  operating the program. The included help  screens  will
    assist inexperienced users.

    The Sysop may make use of the following hot keys:

      ALT-Q  quits ProChess immediately
      ALT-X  toggles Sudden-death-mode
      ALT-C  calls the internal chat mode (ESC quits)



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    REALTIME-GAMES (User Vs User Online)                         │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    The  RealTime option allows a player on line 1 of a BBS  to  play
    an  online  chess  game  against another player  on  line  2.  Of
    course,  there is no limitation to the number of BBS lines,  i.e.
    a player on line 17 may also play against someone on line 66.

    The  RealTime feature is (as always) very easy to understand:  On
    the  main  menu  the  player (or the Sysop who  is  simulating  a
    second  line, i.e. on a LAN) enters 'R' to get into the  RealTime
    menu.  At  the top of the screen all running RealTime  games  are
    listed  with  their  number  and  status.  The  status  indicates
    whether  a game needs a second player ('Joe Sysop is waiting  for
    second  player'),  is being played ('Game in  progress')  or  has
    been finished ('Game over').

    A  player may enter a game that is waiting for the second  player
    by  entering the game number. Joining games in progress  is  only
    allowed  if the player is already involved in the game. You  see,
    it is possible to play multiple RealTime games simultaneously.

    The other RealTime menu options are:

    (N)ew  -  Start a new game with the white pieces. Other players
              will see the new game in their RealTime game list and
              may enter at any time. The second player has always
              the black pieces.

    (O)ld  -  If you have been playing a 'normal' (Non-RealTime)
              game for some time and you know that your opponent is
              online on another line of the BBS, you may turn the
              game into a RealTime game using the (O)ld option. Of
              course you should inform your partner by sending him
              an online message inside the BBS.

    (H)elp -  Display a help screen, explaining RealTime chess.

    (Q)uit -  Quit the RealTime menu and return to the main menu.

    ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

    A few remarks:

    The  user  time is frozen during RealTime play. I chose this  way
    since  it  is very confusing when one player suddenly  disappears
    while playing RealTime.

    Touch and move: In RealTime games it is not allowed to take  back
    a move.

    RealTime  games are not accessible from the main menu,  they  are
    displayed as LOCKED games in the game list.

    For  some  reasons, like system crashes, there might be some  RT*
    files  left  in the ProChess directory. These RT* files  are  the
    RealTime working files which indicate a certain RealTime game  is
    running.  The  RealTime game #66 would create the temporary  file
    RT0066.  Please make sure that your nightly clean up job  deletes
    any left over RT* files.



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    CHESS COMPUTER                                               │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    ProChess  2.0 includes a fully featured Chess Computer with  nine
    playing levels, where level 1 is the easiest and level 9  is  the
    hardest level to play. The higher the level, the longer the  time
    for  the Computer to calculate his next move. Computer games  may
    be  interrupted at any time and can be continued later. They  are
    only  visible from the Computer menu and may also be played  with
    PCTERM.



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    SUDDEN DEATH MODE (Playing the Sysop)                        │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    A  very  nice  feature of ProChess is the built-in  Sudden  Death
    mode.  When  the Sysop hits the ALT-X key, ProChess  switches  to
    Sudden  Death and he and the user online play a game,  using  the
    time limit which is configured in PCHESS.CFG.

    Sysop  and  user  view the chess board from their  side,  meaning
    both  screens are not identical in this situation. The time  left
    is  displayed  continuously  and if  time  is  up,  the  game  is
    terminated  automatically. Just like in normal  games  the  moves
    may  be  entered  with  the cursor keys or in  coordinates  (e.g.
    E2E4).  Sudden  Death  is only possible  if  ANSI  or  AVATAR  is
    enabled.



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    ADDITIONAL OPTIONS                                           │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    The file PCHESS.ADR:
    If  ProChess  is registered, the O key (Opponents)  in  the  main
    menu  will  display  a list of players on other  BBB's,  who  are
    linked  to  your  local  BBS  with the  PCUTIL  netmail  utility.
    Usually  this list only displays the name and the Fidonet address
    of  the  respective player. Additional information about a player
    can  be  stored  in  the  file PCHESS.ADR,  e.g.  you  may  enter
    everyone's  residence or any other text that might be  important.
    PCHESS.ADR  is  a plain ASCII textfile and each line  contains  a
    player  and  the  according piece of information  in  the  format
    NAME/INFO.

    A sample PCHESS.ADR file:

      Joerg Hilgemann/Koblenz, Germany
      Gary Kasparov/Kiew, Ukraine
      Bobby Fischer/New York City, USA


    Tournaments:
    To  play chess tournaments with previously defined games,  it  is
    essential to prevent players from starting new games. To  achieve
    this,  create  a textfile of the format OPEN.### in the  ProChess
    directory. The value ### represents the maximum number  of  games
    a  player is allowed to play simultaneously. Example: If the file
    OPEN.5  exists,  no player would be allowed to  start  more  than
    five games. That is, if you use the MAKEGAME utility to create  a
    tournament  with five games for each player, no-one  could  start
    any new games himself and you get a closed tournament.



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    FUTURE DEVELOPMENT                                           │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    The future development of ProChess depends on you, the Sysops!

    If  you  want to encourage me to keep on working on this project,
    registering is the best way.

    Features planned for future version:

       o  If-Then moves
       o  RIP support (Remote Image Protocol)


    Bug-Reports and hints on improvements are welcome at any time!



   ╒═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╕
   │    REMARKS                                                      │
   ╘═════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╛

    Have fun with ProChess!

    Joerg Hilgemann


    Koblenz, February 1994

    ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────