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Monster Media 1996 #14
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Monster Media No. 14 (April 1996) (Monster Media, Inc.).ISO
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bbs_game
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zchss17a.zip
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PLAY.HLP
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1996-01-28
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Help for Playing (PLAY.HLP) Zchess Version 1.5
Zchess Help For Playing Games
-----------------------------
The Play and the View screens are similar in appearance. However
there are specific functions for each of these which are very
different.
Moving pieces
-------------
You can move pieces by typing the move in computer-algebraic notation.
This is not case-sensitive, as the door will convert all letters to
upper case. Each rank (row) is numbered 1-8, starting from the white
side of the board. Each file (column) is lettered A-H, with the A file
being on the far left of white's queen. To move a piece, type the file
and rank of the square occupied by the piece you wish to move followed
by the file and rank of the destination for that piece. For example,
to move Whites queen pawn up two squares at the start of the game
press the following five keys: d2d4<Enter>. Zchess will convert
your move to upper case, punctuating the move with either a dash
for a move, or an 'x' for a capture. If the move results in check,
a '+' is added to the end of the move. After Zchess checks the move
for validity, it is copied to the four line display of recent moves,
and the game status under the names is updated.
Optionally, you may wish to use cursor keys to move the pieces, rather
than risk a typo. Zchess will interpret true cursor keys, if you are
playing in "doorway" mode, and will also interpret the number keypad
as cursor movement. Since numbers are to be used for both manual entry
as well as cursor movements, the following convention has been adopted:
1. Numbers pressed before the letter are interpreted as cursor
control.
2. Number pressed after a letter are interpreted as the rank number.
After moving to the origination or destination square, press Enter to
have Zchess convert the location to the algebraic code as described
above.
The third option for moving a piece for RIP users is with the mouse.
Cursor to the origination square and click, then cursor to the
destination square and click.
You may delete any part of the move with the backspace key.
Once you have moved, an option to take back that move is available
for Open subs. This will allow you to correct typos.
Leaving The Game
----------------
You can press 'Q' to Quit the game and return to the main menu.
Press 'X' to quit the game and return to the BBS.
Press 'N' to view the Next game for which you have a move (if you
didn't specify a specific game number when you selected Play). 'N'
will return to the main menu if there are no more games.
Entering a Message To Your Opponent
------------------------------------
You can enter a short Message to your opponent by pressing 'M'.
Zchess displays your message entry on the bottom three lines (line
21, 22 and 23). In "doorway" mode, you can use the cursor keys
the Insert, Delete and Backspace keys to assist with editing your
message. You can press Esc during message entry to get the [S]ave
[A]bort [C]ontinue prompt. You must Save the message with 'S' or it
won't be sent. For networked games, you should make a move, then
enter a message. Messages will not be sent, and may be deleted by
the network program if you don't make a new move. Also, if network
package containing your message isn't received and processed by the
other BBS, your message might not be received either. Important
communications to your opponent should be made in the regular message
subs which has a better chance for success.
Ending a Game
-------------
Games are ended by a determination by Zchess that checkmate, stalemate,
50 moves without a capture or pawn move or move repetition has occurred.
Also, either player can offer or accept a draW ('W') or reSign
('S'). Draw offers should be proper (make the offer before your
move, and then make a move.) Draws must be accepted before a move is
made by the other player or the offer is withdrawn. As soon as the
game has ended, the status is changed to Completed, and the ratings
and histories are updated. The maintenance program will forfeit
games for which a move has not been made for the minimum time set by
your sysop. Also, a game can be killed by either player, with no
change in ratings before black makes his first move. If no moves are
made for a period of thirty days, the game may be killed by either
player. Killed games do not affect the ratings, so it might be in
your favor to wait for the sysop to run the maintenance program. The
ended games can be viewed by anyone for a few days, as determined by
the Longest Period Without a Move setting configured by the sysop.