Opening Chess brings you to the Chess Room. From here you can invite someone to play chess or choose to watch a match in progress.
The Chess Room’s window shows a list of all players. Icons appear next to each name to show what that person is doing. A hand indicates that the player is currently competing in a chess match, an eye shows that the person watching a match, and an hourglass is used for players who are waiting in the Chess Room.
You may talk to other people in the Chess Room by using the Public Talk window. (If you do not see this window, try moving the main chess window until the Talk window is revealed.)
To watch a match in progress, you simply select a competing player and choose Watch from the Chess menu.
To begin a chess match of your own, you must invite another person to play. Do this by selecting the name of your desired opponent and choosing Invite from the Chess menu. After you choose the game settings, the player you choose will be informed of your invitation. If he or she accepts, the game will begin. If not, you will be told that your invitation has been declined.
When the chess match begins, you will move from the Chess Room to the Chess Board. If it is your move, “Your Turn” will appear on the right side of the window. Otherwise, you will see “Waiting”.
To move a piece, click and drag to the space to which you want to move. When the destination square becomes highlighted, release the mouse button. Only the squares which represent legal moves can be selected. If you find that you can’t make a move which you think is legal, it is probably because that move would place you in check.
When your opponent makes a move, you will notice that two squares will remain highlighted briefly. These squares indicate which piece was moved, as well as the space from which it was moved. If your opponent’s move puts you in check, you will receive a “Check” message. When in check, you will only be allowed to make moves which take you out of check.
A match can end with a checkmate, a draw, a player resignation, or a player running out of time. After a match, you will remain at the Chess Board until you decide to Put Board Away using the Chess menu.
Outland Chess supports four ways in which a match may end in a draw. These include:
- the same board situation three times
- 50 reversible moves in a row
- insufficient mating material
- no possible moves
Outland Chess also supports “en passant” captures.
